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Puerto Rico's Governor Will Finally Resign After Homophobic Remarks

Ricardo Rosello
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Departure comes after the release of homophobic, sexist remarks and large-scale protests in San Juan.

Puerto Rico's governor, embroiled in scandal and controversy over homophobic and sexist communications, will resign today, according to multiple media reports.

Sources told CNN the governor will submit his resignation later today. Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Diareports Gov. Ricardo Rossello will give a farewell address this afternoon.

Calls for Rossello's resignation reached a fever pitch following the public release of bigoted remarks. Those included disparaging comments by Rossello and his aides about some notable LGBTQ public figures like CBS reporter David Begnaud and gay Latin music star Ricky Martin.

Transcripts show Rossello himself used the term "cocksucker" to describe both Puerto Rican journalist Benjamin Torres Gotay and former Puerto Rico Senate President Eduardo Bhatia, according to El Nuevo Dia, a Puerto Rican newspaper. He also called former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito the Spanish word for "whore."

The messages appeared to be the final straw for many in Puerto Rico following years of corruption investigations and after a lengthy and painful recovery from Hurricane Maria.

For the past week, huge protests have filled the streets of San Juan, with out Puerto Rican superstars Martin and Bad Bunny among the throngs calling for Rossello's ouster.

Rossello earlier this week issued a regretful statement to the people of Puerto Rico saying he would not stand for reelection but that he refused to resign.

But as protests continue, Rossello appears ready to buckle.

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