(Invitation/Invasion... depends on who you ask)
I normally avoid mentioning Politics here, but this is a historical event. Some explanations might be required.
Unlike US Politics, Puerto Rican politics are centered on the territorial status:
The main two parties, The Popular Democratic Party (PPD), and the New Progressive Party (PNP) used to have roughly 90% of voters. The PPD is a conglomerate of ideals, that behaves like a gestalt of 3 mini parties (one group wants to preserve the current colonial status quo, another group wants to have a "sovereign alliance" with the US, the newer sub group of the PPD wants to return to Spanish rule.) To put them in US terms they would most likely be Democrats/left leaning libertarians. They are the smallest of the main two. Usually they win when voters from the minority parties break ranks and vote for the PPD to avoid a PNP victory.
The PNP on the other hand are interested in turning Puerto Rico into the 51st State of the Union. They are the largest of the main two parties. Many of their members are registered as Democrats and Republicans in the US... don't be fooled by their "affiliation" or name... the PNP is Hyper conservative... I mean Tea Party looks center left next to them. Their base rarely breaks ranks.
The rest are micro parties that barely have any real influence... the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP), the Sovereign Alliance Party(MUS), the Labor People's Party, (PPT), and others that come and go. These micro parties tend to be far-left.
I mention all this, so I can explain the rise and fall of Ricardo Rosselló.
Ricardo is the son of Ex Governor Pedro Rosselló. His government wad involved in many corruption scandals and Pedro came out unscathed. He attempted to run for governor in 2004 and lost. The PNP won in general, except the Governor position, which was won by the PPD. He then made a senator resign and using party tricks he became a Senator. There he played obstruction.
Ricardo basically grew up as "The Governor's son". With that power, came reckless behavior. Allegedly, a night of underage drinking where Ricky killed two people while driving drunk ended up in nothing. He was also allegedly protected from charges for stealing a police ATV and running over endangered turtle nests. Again nothing was proven.
Basically, dude hade a carte blanche to do whatever he wanted... kinda like a Puerto Rican Joffrey. Come 2016 and he won the election due to having 5 other options against him (and the lowest victory margin for the PNP in decades.) In 2017 Hurricane Maria struck and put Puerto Rico in a huge state of disarray. His bad performance was chalked to rookie mistakes by an incompetent Governor.
Then the infamous chat was revealed. Corruption, massive dickery, and disdain towards the people he swore to serve were revealed in the chat. But the thing that angered most was that his bad performance on Maria's aftermath was part of a ploy to get votes for 2020. His inner circle mocked the deaths. This caused the people to ask for his resignation, and for the Legislature to begin the impeachment process. Since the Majority of the Legislature is from HIS OWN PARTY, they simply dragged their feet until they decided not to impeach. Taking a page from US history, the people made a massive protest blocking one of the main roads of the Metropolitan Area, forcing to shut dowm Puerto Rico's biggest mall. Not to mention protests across other municipalities with PNP mayors to put pressure on politicians to begin the impeachment process. Then add the daily protests at La Fortaleza, aka the Governor's Residence/office.... until he relented.
No full blown war, minimal violence, and a corrupt politician is out. I knda wonder what will History books say about this in 30-50 years.
A new batch of Funko Pops that I want have been announced. I may or may have not missed out on that Gabriel Iglesias Funko Pop, but so far I haven't seen it available yet... well, this new funko pop that has been revealed has me saying just one word: "Crikey!"
yes boys and girls it's a Steve Irwin Funko Pop...
I'm cutting this odds and ends short, mostly because of this:
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