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Puerto Rico Justice Secretary Vazquez Sworn In as Governor After Ruling

Associated Press

   SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - Justice Secretary Wanda Vazquez became Puerto
   Rico's new governor Wednesday, just the second woman to hold the
   office, after weeks of political turmoil and hours after the island's
   Supreme Court declared Pedro Pierluisi's swearing-in a week ago
   unconstitutional.

   Accompanied by her husband, Judge Jorge Diaz, and her daughter, Vazquez
   took the oath of office in the early evening at the Surpeme Court
   before leaving without making any public comment.

   "Puerto Rico needs assurance and stability," she said earlier in a
   statement. "Our actions will be aimed toward that end and it will
   always come first."

   The high court's unanimous decision, which could not be appealed,
   settled the dispute over who will lead the U.S. territory after its
   political establishment was knocked off balance by big street protests
   spawned by anger over corruption, mismanagement of funds and a leaked
   obscenity-laced chat that forced the previous governor and several top
   aides to resign.

   But it was also expected to unleash a new wave of demonstrations
   because many Puerto Ricans have said they don't want Vazquez as
   governor.

   "It is concluded that the swearing in as governor by Hon. Pedro R.
   Pierluisi Urrutia, named secretary of state in recess, is
   unconstitutional," the court said in a brief statement.

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