Hundreds of Puerto Ricans protest and demand the resignation of Gov. Wanda Vasquez.
(Photo : Reuters)

People in Puerto Rico gathered and protested in front of the Governor's mansion demanding the resignation of Gov. Wanda Vasquez after some Puerto Ricans recently found a warehouse full of pallets of water and unused emergency kits, according to an article published by NBC News. 

In a previous report of Latin Post, Gov. Vasquez fired Carlos Acevedo, the island's director of emergency management, after a warehouse was found filled with emergency supplies. Acevedo explained that they distributed more than 600 pallets of water when the country was hit by Hurricanes Karen and Dorian and the pallets of water found inside the warehouse had expired. He also added that there were no orders to destroy or seize those items.

This has become one of the biggest issues in Puerto amid the ongoing earthquake crisis they are experiencing. According to Mari Rivera, a government employee, there is a need to get rid of the corrupt government officials and Gov. Vasquez needs to stop blaming others.

Due to the disappointment felt by Puerto Ricans, demonstrators banged on pots and some waved the Puerto Rican flag and one of them yelled, "Wanda! Turn over the disaster supplies!" 

Meanwhile, the evangelical preacher, Ramon Marrero, together with his wife and daughters, drove up from the southern coastal town of Guayama and said that they came to show their indignation, annoyance, and rebellion amidst the warehouse controversy.

The protest reminds many Puerto Ricans of protests that escalated over the summer that led to the resignation of former Gov. Ricardo Rosello. This time, the demonstrators vow to remain in the street until Vasquez steps down from office. Many of them chanted, "This fight goes on no matter what!" 

Moreover, Ricky Martin is expected to join the protests as he announced on his Instagram account that he was en route to the island. He wrote: "In the times of our people's greatest needs, those who are supposed to be leaders have once again failed. They have once again failed to address the most basic rights of human beings: water, roof, education, security."

It can be remembered that Martin, along with several renowned artists, became part of the protests last year that drew tens of thousands of people to the streets. 

The protests came after Vasquez fired two other high-ranking officials in her administration. She fired Housing Secretary Fernando Gil and Family Secretary Glorimar Andujar due to the lack of information regarding aid collection and distribution centers. This occurred after she fired Carlos Acevedo on Saturday.

Subsequently, amidst the protests and firing of high-ranking officials, Gov. Vasquez said that she lost confidence in some officials after people discovered the warehouse in the southern coastal city of Ponce. She also said that the emergency supplies were there since the island was hit by Hurrican Maria in 2017.

Gov. Vasquez ordered an investigation into the incident and assured everyone that those who broke into the warehouse and distributed the supplies will not be prosecuted. The estimated cost of damage from the earthquake is $200 million.