Tens of thousands gather to demand Puerto Rico governor’s resignation

SAN JUAN — Demonstrators continued to arrive Monday for a massive demonstration around Roosevelt Avenue and Las Américas Expressway to demand Gov. Ricardo Rosselló’s immediate resignation.

On Sunday afternoon, Rosselló announced, in a pre-recorded message, that he would not be seeking reelection in 2020 and that he was stepping down as president of his New Progressive Party (NPP).

A meeting he held afterward with NPP-affiliated mayors and lawmakers was met by protesters demanding his resignation. Likewise, there were calls on social media for both his resignation and urging the legislature to initiate impeachment proceedings.

The demands for Rosselló’s resignation started last week when messages between the governor and his inner circle were leaked. These included derogatory remarks and possible ethical and legal violations.

That the same week, the U.S. Department of Justice arrested former Education Secretary Julia Keleher and the director of the Health Insurance Administration, Ángela Ávila, along with government contractors, for the misuse of federal funds.

View of Las Americas Expressway. One of the demonstrators I spoke to also question the Legislature’s delay to starting impeachment proceedings #RickyRenuncia #RickyResign #ParoNacionalpr @CaribBusiness @cbenespanol pic.twitter.com/o8ilZzENih

— María Soledad (@Maria_Soledad7) July 22, 2019

Una vía del expreso Las Américas está llena a capacidad hasta llegar a la salida de la Piñeiro. Vía contraria comienza a llenarse. Entre cantos y gritos de lucha los manifestantes marchan en paz. #ParoNacionalpr #RickyRenuncia @cbenespanol @CaribBusiness pic.twitter.com/vJgtBJSQ35

— Rafelli (@RafelliLaw) July 22, 2019