The scandal that is threatening to buckle Ricardo Rossello centers on a profanity-laced and at times misogynistic online chat with nine other male members of his administration.
Nearly two years ago, Hurricane Maria exposed the raw dysfunction of Puerto Rico, collapsing long-neglected infrastructure and leaving several thousand dead on Gov. Ricardo Rossello’s watch. Last week, two of his top former officials were arrested by the FBI on corruption charges.
Thousands of protesters marched in the capital for a third day Monday to call for Rossello’s resignation. Police tried to disperse the marchers with pepper spray in front of the Fortaleza governor’s residence, which was protected by barricades. “Unfortunately, despite responsible calls for peaceful demonstrations by many participants, a few others decided to damage public property and assault public officials who tried to preserve order and defend the security and rights of all,” he said.
Referring to Carmen Yulin Cruz, the mayor of San Juan who had announced her intent to run against Rossello in 2020, the governor says, “she’s off her meds.” Despite widespread cynicism in Puerto Rico about politicians’ corruption and self-dealing, the chat shocked residents in a way that other scandals haven’t, particularly given Rossello’s image as a gentle, even meek family man, said Mario Negron Portillo, a professor at the University of Puerto Rico’s school of public administration.
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