Rosselló apologized last week after the leak of a chat message in which he referred to Melissa Mark-Viverito, (the Puerto Rico-born former speaker of the New York City Council) using the Spanish word for "whore."
The governor wrote that he was upset Mark-Viverito had criticized Tom Perez (chair of the Democratic National Committee) for backing Puerto Rico statehood. "Our people should come out and defend Tom and beat up that whore," Rosselló wrote.
In another chat, Christian Sobrino Vega (at the time, Puerto Rico's Chief Financial Officer)) expressed frustration with San Juan Major Carmen Yulín Cruz. "I am salivating to shoot her," he wrote.
"You'd be doing me a grand favor," the governor responded, according to the leaked chats.
At one point, the governor wrote that Yulín Cruz must be "off her meds" by deciding to run against him.
"Either that, or she's a tremendous HP," he said, using the Spanish acronym for "son/daughter of a bitch."
In another chat, Sobrino Vega made vulgar references to Puerto Rican star Ricky Martin's sexuality. "Nothing says patriarchal oppression like Ricky Martin," he wrote.
"Ricky Martin is such a male chauvinist that he fucks men because women don't measure up. Pure patriarchy."
Referring to the federal oversight board that has controlled the US territory's finances since 2016, Rossello wrote in English, "go fuck yourself," followed by a string of middle finger emojis.
In another chat, Sobrino Vega (the former CFO) was asked about the budget for forensic pathologists. He responded with joke about the growing piles of dead bodies at the morgue in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in September 2017.
"Now that we are on the subject, don't we have some cadavers to feed our crows?" he wrote in an apparent reference to government critics. "Clearly they need attention."
Rosselló’s announcement on Sunday that he would not seek re-election next year and would step down as head of the New Progressive Party seemed to have little effect on the crowds, who called for him to immediately surrender the governorship.
The protests were also sparked by U.S. authorities’ announcement of a federal indictment involving six people, including two former high-rankingPuerto Rico government officials, charged with conspiracy and other crimes in connection with millions of dollars in federal Medicaid and education funds.
The protests were also sparked by U.S. authorities’ announcement of a federal indictment involving six people, including two former high-rankingPuerto Rico government officials, charged with conspiracy and other crimes in connection with millions of dollars in federal Medicaid and education funds.
Crowds of people, many dressed in black T-shirts and waving the U.S. island territory’s flag, have continued to fill streets (and now a major highway in San Juan) in a series of more than a week of sometimes violent protests in the capital and elsewhere.
“They can’t deny it: The power is in the street,” San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz tweeted.
“These governments are corrupt governments,” said Martin Gonzalez, who joined Monday’s march. “The people must make themselves be respected. And we take to the streets to be respected.”
Puerto Rico’s largest newspaper, El Nuevo Dia, called on Rosselló to resign in an editorial published on Monday. “Puerto Rico has spoken up, not only as a strong, broad and united voice but as the right voice,” the editorial said. “With a gesture of nobility and humility, Governor, it is time to listen to the people. You have to resign.”
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