Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello announces that he will officially leave office on August 2
- Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló announced Wednesday night that he would officially leave office by 5 p.m. local time on August 2.
- Protesters outside the mansion tuned into the governor's broadcast and erupted in celebration and fireworks after hearing news that he was officially stepping down.
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Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló announced Wednesday night in a recorded statement that he would officially step down at 5 p.m. local time on August 2, 2019.
Although he promised the Puerto Rico legislature that he would make his announcement sometime between 5 to 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday, the message was delivered via Facebook closer to midnight. Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez Garced is expected to assume the position, the governor said.
The embattled governor reportedly left the mansion hours before before the pre-recorded announcement was released. CBS News' David Begnaud reported at 10 p.m. local time that the governor left the premises, though there was no confirmation as to where Rosselló was going or when he would return.
Beyond protests, Rosselló also faced pressure to resign from the Puerto Rico legislature. On Wednesday, lawmakers called for his immediate resignation or impeachment proceedings would begin, NBC News reported.
Before the announcement was made, videos taken Wednesday evening local time showed numerous reinforcements in riot gear surrounding the governor's compound, with others making their way to the protest line.
Begnaud, who is reporting outside the governor's mansion, said that the reinforcements were corrections officers, who are specially trained to deal with unruly crowds, sparking concerns that whatever was to come would provoke protesters to riot.
The governor's resignation brought an end to nearly two weeks of back-to-back protests, which drew hundreds of thousands to the streets of San Juan.
On Wednesday night, Protesters outside the mansion tuned into the governor's broadcast, then erupted in celebration and fireworks after hearing news that he was officially stepping down.