Governor's Predicament in Puerto Rico
In a political drama that unfolded in Puerto Rico in 2019, Pedro Pierluisi was sworn in as governor following the resignation of Ricardo Rosselló. However, the Puerto Rico Supreme Court declared his appointment unconstitutional, leading to his removal from office after just a few days in August 2019. Wanda Vázquez Garced subsequently served as governor.
Fast forward to June 2025, social media references and abbreviated news posts have been circulating, rehashing the 2019 controversy and court decision. These posts, however, do not reflect a new or recent Supreme Court decision regarding Pierluisi’s governorship legitimacy in 2025.
As of July 2025, there is no record of a new Supreme Court decision regarding Pierluisi’s governorship legitimacy. The controversy surrounding Pierluisi's governorship began when he was appointed secretary of state by Rosselló, making him first in line for the governorship. Critics, including Juan Correa, argue that Pierluisi's governorship is a violation of Puerto Rico's Constitution, as it requires the consent of the Legislature for an individual to be the governor of Puerto Rico.
Pierluisi took the governor's oath despite not having confirmation from the Senate. This move sparked protests, with protesters marching against Pierluisi since he took office last Friday. Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz filed a lawsuit asking Puerto Rico's Supreme Court to remove Pierluisi from office.
If the court were to agree with the arguments presented, Wanda Vazquez, the island's top prosecutor, would become the next governor. Margarita Santiago and Francisco Carbonell expressed concern about the political crisis prolonging in Puerto Rico, stating that the island needs definitive answers to start getting back on track.
Adrian Florido reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the political situation remains uncertain. Carolina Coto, a protester, stated that they forced one corrupt governor out and had another one installed. The future of Pierluisi's governorship remains uncertain, with the Puerto Rico Supreme Court expected to answer whether Pierluisi's appointment as governor is legal.
**Summary Table**
| Event/Issue | Date (Original) | Court Ruling/Outcome | Current Status (2025) | |------------------------------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Pierluisi sworn in as governor | August 2019 | Declared unconstitutional by PR Supreme Court | Removed from office; Vázquez Garced became governor | | Recent social media references | June 2025 | None (reiterates 2019 decision) | Pierluisi not currently affected by new ruling |
News posts in June 2025 rehash the 2019 controversy surrounding Pedro Pierluisi's governorship, but there is no record of a new Supreme Court decision regarding its legitimacy at that time. As of July 2025, the controversy persists, with Pierluisi facing protests and a lawsuit challenging his appointment as governor, which critics argue is a violation of Puerto Rico's Constitution.
