Puerto Rico's new governor appears to be finally overcoming some of the challenges to her authority following weeks of political turmoil on the U.S. territory, with key members of her New Progressive Party expressing support.
The Senate president seen as her chief challenger issued a statement Wednesday backing her. Thomas Rivera Schatz said on Facebook that he'd only been looking for a replacement because he thought Wanda Vázquez didn't want the governor's job.
He earlier suggested the post go to the island's congressional representative, Jenniffer González. But González too issued a statement of support for Vázquez on Tuesday.
Protesters gather outside the government mansion La Fortaleza in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, calling for the removal of the island's newly sworn-in governor. Justice Secretary Wanda Vazquez took the oath of office early Wednesday evening at the Puerto Rican Supreme Court, which earlier in the day ruled that Pedro Pierluisi's swearing in last week was unconstitutional. (AP PhotoDennis M. Rivera Pichardo)
The governorship fell to Justice Secretary Vázquez on Aug. 7 because Gov. Ricardo Rosselló resigned after intensive public protests. The territory's Supreme Court then knocked down Rosselló's attempt to name a successor.
Justice Secretary Wanda Vazquez is sworn in as governor of Puerto Rico by Supreme Court Justice Maite Oronoz, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. Vazquez took the oath of office early Wednesday evening at the Puerto Rican Supreme Court, which earlier in the day ruled that Pedro Pierluisi's swearing in last week was unconstitutional. Vazquez was joined by her daughter Beatriz Diaz Vazquez and her husband Judge Jorge Diaz. (AP PhotoDennis M. Rivera Pichardo)