SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Amid public outrage, Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rosselló announced Sunday evening that he will not be seeking reelection, and he is resigning as president of the New Progressive Party.
Rosselló, 40, delivered a statement on Facebook after a week of protests and a threat by opponents to shut down a major highway leading to Old San Juan on Monday.
“In spite of everything, I recognize that apologizing isn’t enough, that only my work will help restore confidence," he said in Spanish, adding that he had made his decision to step down because of his "profound respect of democracy."
His resignation comes after the Puerto Rico Center for Investigative Journalism published the obscene content of a Telegram app private chat on July 13 in 889 pages. The explosive revelation came after two prominent July 10 arrests in a $15.5 million public corruption case.
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GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO - JULY 21: Police officers push back protesters from a parking lot gate to allow politicians to leave after a meeting with Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico, at the Yolanda Guerrero Cultural center on July 21, 2019 in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Protesters have called for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO - JULY 21: Police officers push back protesters from a parking lot gate to allow politicians to leave after a meeting with Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico, at the Yolanda Guerrero Cultural center on July 21, 2019 in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Protesters have called for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO - JULY 21: A protester hugs a police officer after demonstrators were pushed back from a parking lot gate to allow politicians to leave after a meeting with Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico, at the Yolanda Guerrero Cultural center on July 21, 2019 in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Protesters have called for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO - JULY 21: Protesters confront police after being pushed back from a parking lot gate to allow politicians to leave in their vehicles after a meeting with Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico, at the Yolanda Guerrero Cultural center on July 21, 2019 in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Protesters have called for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 21: Protesters demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico, near police that are manning a barricade set up along a street leading to the governor's mansion on July 21, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Protesters have called for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 21: A performer with a prayer group that is asking people to come together, dances as the group pushes for Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico, to leave office on July 21, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Protesters have called for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO - JULY 20: Protesters try to hold a gate closed as police officers try to open the gate, that leads to a parking lot, in order to allow politicians in their vehicles to leave after a meeting with Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico, at the Yolanda Guerrero Cultural center on July 21, 2019 in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Protesters have called for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO - JULY 20: Protesters try to hold a gate closed as police officers try to open the gate, that leads to a parking lot, in order to allow politicians in their vehicles to leave after a meeting with Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico, at the Yolanda Guerrero Cultural center on July 21, 2019 in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Protesters have called for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Malena Guadalupe Roldan looks off a balcony at protesters as they demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico, near where police are manning a barricade set up along a street leading to the governor's mansion on July 20, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained among other messages misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 20: Protesters raise their arms as they hold a moment of silence for those lost during hurricane Maria as they demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico, near where police are manning a barricade set up along a street leading to the governor's mansion on July 20, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained among other messages misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 20: Protesters demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico, near police that are manning a barricade set up along a street leading to the governor's mansion on July 20, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained among other messages misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 20: Protesters demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico, near police that are manning a barricade set up along a street leading to the governor's mansion on July 20, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained among other messages misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 20: Protesters demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico, near police that are manning a barricade set up along a street leading to the governor's mansion on July 20, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained among other messages misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 20: Protesters demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico, near police that are manning a barricade set up along a street leading to the governor's mansion on July 20, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained among other messages misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 20: Protesters demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico, near a police barricade set up along a street leading to the governor's mansion on July 20, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The governor has refused to step down even as protests continue after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained among other things misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 20: Protesters demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico, near police that are manning a barricade set up along a street leading to the governor's mansion on July 20, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained among other messages misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 20: Neelete Coss joins with other protesters as they demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico, near a police barricade set up along a street leading to the governor's mansion on July 20, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The governor has refused to step down even as protests continue after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained among other things misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 20: Protesters demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico, near a police barricade set up along a street leading to the governor's mansion on July 20, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The governor has refused to step down even as protests continue after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained among other things misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 19: A protester demonstrates against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico on July 19, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 19: Protesters demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico on July 19, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 19: Union workers join with other protesters as they demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico on July 19, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 18: Protesters gather near a street leading to the governor's mansion as they continue to protest against Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico on July 18, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Protesters are demanding that the governor step down after the contents of a private chat group revealed that he and top aides made misogynistic and homophobic comments. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 18: Protesters gather near a street leading to the governor's mansion as they continue to protest against Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico on July 18, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Protesters are demanding that the governor step down after the contents of a private chat group revealed that he and top aides made misogynistic and homophobic comments. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 18: Protesters gather near a street leading to the governor's mansion as they continue to protest against Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico on July 18, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Protesters are demanding that the governor step down after the contents of a private chat group revealed that he and top aides made misogynistic and homophobic comments. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 18: Protesters demonstrate near a street leading to the governor's mansion as they continue to protest against Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico on July 18, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Protesters are demanding that the governor step down after the contents of a private chat group revealed that he and top aides made misogynistic and homophobic comments. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators and police face off during a protest against Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Police used tear gas and reportedly fired rubber bullets late Wednesday evening during the protest. There have been calls for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators and police face off during a protest against Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Police used tear gas and reportedly fired rubber bullets late Wednesday evening during the protest. There have been calls for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Police use tear gas against protesterds demonstrating against Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Police reportedly fired rubber bullets late Wednesday evening during the protest. There have been calls for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators and police face off during a protest against Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Police used tear gas and reportedly fired rubber bullets late Wednesday evening during the protest. There have been calls for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Police and demonstrators clash during a protest against Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Police reportedly fired rubber bullets late Wednesday evening during the protest. There have been calls for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators and police clash during a protest against Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Police used tear gas and reportedly fired rubber bullets late Wednesday evening during the protest. There have been calls for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Police used tear gas and reportedly fired rubber bullets late Wednesday evening during the protest. There have been calls for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Rapper Bad Bunny (holding flag) singer, Ricky Martin (black hat) and Rapper Residente (blue hat) join demonstrators protesting against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages.Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico on July 17, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 16: Protesters demonstrate along a street leading to the Governors mansion as they call for Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello to step down on July 16, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The protesters are asking the governor to leave office after remarks that include derogatory terms against women and homophobic comments targeting singer Ricky Martin were leaked to the media from a private group chat. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 16: Maria Linoshka, wearing tape over her mouth reading "resignation" in Spanish, joins with other protesters demonstrating along a street leading to the Governors mansion as they call for Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello to step down on July 16, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The protesters are asking the governor to leave office after remarks that include derogatory terms against women and homophobic comments targeting singer Ricky Martin were leaked to the media from a private group chat. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 16: Police block the street leading to the Governors mansion as protesters call for Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello to step down on July 16, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The protesters are asking the governor to leave office after remarks that include derogatory terms against women and homophobic comments targeting singer Ricky Martin were leaked to the media from a private group chat. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)OLD SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico July 17, 2019 in front of the Capitol Building in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)OLD SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico July 17, 2019 in front of the Capitol Building in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)OLD SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JULY 17: Demonstrators protest against Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico July 17, 2019 outside the Capitol Building in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. There have been calls for the Governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO - JULY 21: Police officers push back protesters from a parking lot gate to allow politicians to leave after a meeting with Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico, at the Yolanda Guerrero Cultural center on July 21, 2019 in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Protesters have called for the governor to step down after it was revealed that he and top aides were part of a private chat group that contained misogynistic and homophobic messages. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FBI agents arrested his former Education Secretary Julia Keleher and the former head of Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration Angela Avila Marrero in a fraud involving federal funds, according to a 32-count indictment.
"I'm not proud of what I did," Rosselló said in a statement last week, adding that he had committed "an improper act" but he was not involved in any way in the corruption case.
The messages on the chat were between him and his top aides. Critics classified the content as sexist, homophobic, misogynistic and insensitive to the victims of Hurricane Maria, which struck eight months after Rosselló's election.
The devastation of the storm came amid a 13-year recession and an already fragile electric grid. Experts said it wasn't a surprise that the explosive revelations' of Rosselló's chat prompted massive protests in front of the governor's official residence.
— Isaac Jr. Gutiérrez 🇵🇷 (@The_hunterwolf) July 22, 2019
A long list of celebrities, including Ricky Martin, Calle 13' Rene "Residente" Perez, Benito "Bad Bunny" Martinez and Manuel Miranda, joined the protests in San Juan and New York City to demand Rosselló's resignation.
The protests continued late Sunday night and residents in San Juan were making noise with pots and pans from their homes as part of a "Cacerolazo" protest. Rosselló decision not to step down comes as legislators are looking into the possibility of impeaching him.
"I have the great responsibility to direct my efforts, and those of my administration, to keep searching for ways and means for us, united before God, to be able to keep guiding our island," Rosselló said.
Rosselló, the son of former Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Rosselló, is working to restructure some of the $70 billion debt.
Local 10 News reporter Christian De La Rosa reported from San Juan this week.
The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.
