• Tweeter

  • republish

Thousands of protesters on Wednesday called for the resignation of Puerto Rican governor Ricardo Rossello, who is facing allegations of corruption and must explain sexist and homophobic messages. REUTERS / Gabriella N. Baez

Pressure is increasing on Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello. Thousands of Puerto Ricans took to the streets of the capital San Juan on Wednesday, July 17, to demand his resignation. The leader of this autonomous island associated with the United States has been in power since the end of 2016. If the anger of the Puerto Ricans rumbled for a long time, it is the revelation of private messages homophobic, sexist and racist by a group of independent journalists created in 2007 and very active in the Puerto Rican media that set fire to the powders.

These insulting messages are spread over 889 pages. In their conversation about the Telegram application, Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico, and a dozen of his associates are sparing no one: opposition politicians - including an opponent called a "whore" - the figures of the community LGBT like singer Ricky Martin and even the victims of Hurricane Maria. This Wednesday, the protesters chanted " Ricky, resign! ". Ricky being the nickname of the governor.

A very followed event, because anger rumbling on the island for a long time. Puerto Ricans blame the authorities for their handling of the aftermath of hurricane Maria . This huge storm killed more than 3,000 people two years ago. Finally, Governor Ricardo Rossello also faces charges of corruption, while Puerto Rico has been riddled with debt for years.

Several artists joined the mobilization, such as actor Benicio Del Toro, and three rappers even wrote a song for the occasion. The piece, titled Sharpen Knives , directly challenges Governor Rossello. But the 40-year-old leader, who apologized, does not intend to bow to street calls.