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Puerto Rico Governor Rossello to resign on Wednesday, report claims

Posted at 11:21 PM, Jul 23, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-23 23:26:43-04

Embattled Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello is expected to resign Wednesday morning after a week of massive protests and calls for his resignation, Puerto Rico's top newspaper El Nuevo Dia reported .

El Nuevo Dia reported that its sources claim Rossello will release a video statement on Wednesday to formally announce his resignation.

Secretary of Justice Wanda Vazquez would be elevated to governor if Rossello leaves office.

Rossello has been governor since January 2017 as the country has dealt with a debt crisis, a slow comeback from Hurricane Maria and massive population loss. Then came leaks of group chats Rossello participated in.

The leaks, which went public on July 8, contained vulgar, sexist and homophobic comments. He also joked about shooting outspoken San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz.

The comments have drawn growing protests, with hundreds of thousands participating in protests on Monday.