“A New Puerto Rico of opportunities”
San Juan, Jan 2 (EFE). – By Marina Villén
Puerto Rico’s new government, headed by Gov. Jenniffer González, took office Thursday with a promise to “build a new Puerto Rico of opportunities.”
González, who won the Nov. 5 elections with 41% of the vote, assured in her speech that she would be “the governor of all Puerto Ricans” and that there would be “no anarchy” in Puerto Rico.
During the incidents recorded throughout the day, some demonstrators shouted “Death to the NPP” in reference to González’s New Progressive Party, which showed a continuance of the polarized atmosphere seen during the election.
The NPP also controls the House of Representatives and the Senate, whose members were sworn in Thursday, leaving the Popular Democratic Party, the Puerto Rican Independence Party, and Proyecto Dignidad in opposition.
Focus on Political Status and Reconstruction
In her inaugural message, the governor promised to fight for “full equality for all Puerto Ricans,” which she said would be achieved with the island’s annexation to the United States.
Puerto Rico, currently a US commonwealth, wants Washington to approve a binding referendum for the island to decide between statehood (annexation), independence, or sovereignty in free association.
“My vision of government is not to build great works, but to build infrastructure that works,” the governor stressed, aware of citizens’ discontent with the fragility of the power grid after a massive blackout on New Year’s Eve due to a breakdown.
After the official inauguration ceremony, González toured Old San Juan on her way to La Fortaleza (the seat of government), where she once again demonstrated her populist profile and closeness to the people.
The governor took photos with some citizens and danced with members of the “comparsas” (traditional dance groups) that enlivened the tour with typical music, which included a stop at the headquarters of the Olympic Committee to recognize the island’s athletes.
Several protesters arrested
In addition to supporters of Gonzalez and the NPP, opposition demonstrators took part in the various inauguration ceremonies, heckling the new governor and forcing the police to intervene.
Police arrested two women near the Capitol, one for disturbing the peace for wearing a shirt with the message: “Death to the NPP,” and the other for obstructing justice.
In the nearby Dos Hermanos Bridge, in front of the Paseo Caribe, agents also had to intervene with a group of demonstrators to prevent them from blocking the passage of vehicles.
Another demostrator was arrested in the church during a mass celebrated before the acts, and where another demonstrator made statements of “Death to the NPP” and “Death to Jenniffer Gonzalez”.
At the Capitol, a group of people protested after activist and senator-elect Eliezer Molina was denied entry to the building for lack of documentation.
“I don’t like these things, but they had to happen for all of you to see and understand that this country needs an independent governor,” Molina told reporters.
The day will culminate later with the so-called “fiesta de pueblo” in the Plaza del Quinto Centenario in Old San Juan, where artists such as Natti Natasha, Manny Manuel, and Alberto Stylee will perform. EFE
mv/mcd
