Nearly two years ago, Hurricane Maria exposed the raw dysfunction of Puerto Rico, collapsing long-neglected infrastructure and leaving several thousand dead on Gov. Ricardo Rosselló's watch. Last week, two of his top former officials were arrested by the FBI on corruption charges.
But the scandal that is threatening to buckle the 40-year-old governor are the details of a profanity-laced and misogynistic online chat with nine other members of his administration in which some of the U.S. territory's most powerful men act like a bunch of teenagers.
In the chats on the encrypted messaging app Telegram, Rosselló calls one New York politician a "whore," describes another as a "daughter of a bitch" and makes fun of an obese man.
Police block demonstrators from advancing to La Fortaleza governor's residence in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sunday, July 14, 2019. Protesters are demanding Gov. Ricardo Rosselló step down for his involvement in a private chat in which he used profanities to describe an ex-New York City councilwoman and a federal control board overseeing the island's finance. (AP PhotoCarlos Giusti)
For many Puerto Ricans, "Chatgate" has proven to be too much.
A police officer stands her ground after protesters threw food at officers, as police block them from reaching La Fortaleza governor's residence in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sunday, July 14, 2019. Protesters are demanding Gov. Ricardo Rosselló step down for his involvement in a private chat in which he used profanities to describe an ex-New York City councilwoman and a federal control board overseeing the island's finance. (AP PhotoCarlos Giusti)
Activist Tito Roman speaks to protesters through a megaphone near La Fortaleza governor's residence in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sunday, July 14, 2019. Protesters are demanding Gov. Ricardo Rosselló step down for his involvement in a private chat in which he used profanities to describe an ex-New York City councilwoman and a federal control board overseeing the island's finance. (AP PhotoCarlos Giusti)
A man waves a Puerto Rican flag during a protest near La Fortaleza governor's residence in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sunday, July 14, 2019. Protesters are demanding Gov. Ricardo Rosselló step down for his involvement in a private chat in which he used profanities to describe an ex-New York City councilwoman and a federal control board overseeing the island's finance. (AP PhotoCarlos Giusti)