Puerto Rico protests: Hundreds of thousands march to demand resignation of governor

Ricardo Rosselló has already promised not to seek reelection

Hundreds of thousands of protesters have marched in Puerto Rico to demand the resignation of the island’s governor - a day after he said he would not seek reelection.

The US’s territory’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló, has for the past ten says been the target of demonstration and protesters, following the publication of a series of sexist and homophobic chat messages between him and his senior staff. On Sunday, Mr Rosselló said he would not seek reelection and would and down as head of the New Progressive Party in an attempt to ease the protests.

But on Monday, hundreds of thousands took to the streets of the capital, San Juan, to demand his stand down immediately, in an indication of the anger and frustration felt by islanders.

“The people have awakened after so much outrage,” said a 69-year-old retired nurse, Benedicta Villegas. “There are still people without roofs and highways without lights. The chat was the tip of the iceberg.”

Reports suggest the publication of the chat messages were merely the latest in a series of issues that have angered residents. In recent weeks, Puerto Rico has seen the arrest of a number of government official on corruption charges, while it struggles with an economy weighed down by massive debt.

Many are still recovering from Hurricane Maria, that struck in 2017, killing thousands and seeing Donald Trump widely criticised over his response to the crisis, especially when compared to federal help provided to cities on the US mainland that had suffered storms or hurricanes.

In a video message posted on social media on Sunday, Mr Rosselló said he had to work to restore trust in himself.

“I know that apologising is not enough,” he said. “A significant sector of the population has been protesting for days. I’m aware of the dissatisfaction and discomfort they feel. Only my work will help restore the trust of these sectors.”

On Monday, Mr Rosselló was pressed by a Fox News anchor as to why he had not stood aside, given the obvious public dissatisfaction.

“I've heard numerous Puerto Ricans saying you've disrespected them, that you’ve not led them properly, you made fun of them, that you made light of them. They no longer trust in your leadership,” said Fox News anchor, Shepard Smith.

Mr Rosselló said: “Well again I’ve apologised for all that. I am making amends for all those efforts.”

Images showed huge crowds making their way along the Americas Expressway in San Juan, sweating but smiling, as they waved Puerto Rico flags

“This is to show that the people respect themselves,” said Ana Carrasquillo, 26. “We’ve put up with corruption for so many years.”

San Juan’s mayor, Carmen Yulin Cruz, who clashed frequently with Mr Trump over the federal response to Hurricane Maria, said on Twitter: “They can’t deny it: The power is in the street.”

Additional reporting by agencies