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News that he was expected to resign was first reported Tuesday evening by two local news organizations, El Nuevo Dia and WAPA-TV. An unnamed source later confirmed the reports to CNN.
Rosselló will be replaced by Wanda Vazquez, Puerto Rico's secretary of justice, CNN reported.
He says Sec of Justice Wanda Vazquez will take over. That's not something a lot of people are going to be happy about, based on convos at the protests.
— Nidhi Prakash (@nidhiprakash) July 25, 2019
Thousands of demonstrators have demanded Rosselló's resignation over an obscenity-laced online chat he had with allies and federal corruption charges leveled against his administration.
Rosselló had said Sunday that he will not resign. He said he would not seek reelection or continue as the head of his pro-statehood political party.
A judge issued search warrants Tuesday for the cellphones of government officials involved in the crude online chat.
The leaked chat has intensified long-smoldering anger over government corruption and mismanagement that many blame for a 13-year recession and a severe debt crisis that has led to pension cuts and school closings.
Many are also resentful over Puerto Rico's slow recovery from Maria, which devastated the island almost two years ago and led to thousands of deaths.
On Tuesday night, several political figures, including many 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, took to Twitter to weigh in on the announcement. Here's what they were saying:
This is democracy in action. The Puerto Rican people demanded change and refused to accept anything less.
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) July 25, 2019
The Governor has made the right decision. The Puerto Rican people deserve a smooth transition and the right to a government they can trust. https://t.co/Dwl9HcUFTb
The people of Puerto Rico have endured so much—disaster and tragedy, economic crisis, government corruption, generations of disrespect. I'm inspired by my fellow U.S. citizens and their movement to hold their government accountable. https://t.co/ifDuPOwfjV
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) July 25, 2019
.@marcorubio:@ricardorossello "resignation is an opportunity for Puerto Rico to emerge from this nightmare. Now we…recommit to working on behalf of Puerto Ricans to ensure the people on the island do not suffer the consequences of the unacceptable actions by corrupt politicians”
— Zach C. Cohen (@Zachary_Cohen) July 25, 2019
I congratulate the millions of people in Puerto Rico who came together to demand the resignation of Governor Rosselló.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) July 25, 2019
When we stand together, there is nothing we cannot accomplish. https://t.co/bBJaz2Jd3q
This is such an amazing & historic moment! Truly inspired by this beautiful example of the power of people — showing the world that when we stand united by our love for each other & our country, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome. This is just the beginning. #RickyRenuncio https://t.co/Wpw1x0CGwS
— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) July 25, 2019
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