Here’s a brief overview of Wanda Vázquez Garced, formatted in HTML:

Wanda Vázquez Garced

Wanda Vázquez Garced is a Puerto Rican politician and attorney who served as the 12th Governor of Puerto Rico from August 2019 to January 2021. Her rise to the governorship was marked by unusual circumstances following political turmoil on the island.

Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Vázquez pursued a career in law, graduating from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law. She dedicated much of her career to public service within the Puerto Rican legal system. Before entering the executive branch, she served as a district attorney and later as the Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico under Governor Ricardo Rosselló.

Vázquez became governor after a series of events that led to the resignations of both Governor Rosselló and his designated successor, Secretary of State Pedro Pierluisi. Rosselló’s resignation was triggered by widespread protests sparked by the leak of offensive chat messages between him and other government officials. Pierluisi’s brief tenure as governor was subsequently ruled invalid by the Puerto Rican Supreme Court due to procedural issues surrounding his confirmation. As Secretary of Justice, Vázquez was next in the line of succession.

Her time as governor was dominated by challenges including recovery efforts from natural disasters, particularly the ongoing aftermath of Hurricane Maria and subsequent earthquakes. She also had to navigate the complexities of Puerto Rico’s financial crisis and the oversight of the federal Financial Oversight and Management Board. The COVID-19 pandemic presented a further significant challenge during her term, requiring her administration to implement public health measures and address the economic impact of the crisis.

During her term, Vázquez faced scrutiny regarding her administration’s handling of disaster relief efforts and allegations of political interference. Critics questioned the pace of recovery efforts and the distribution of aid. Her administration also faced accusations of mismanagement and corruption.

In 2020, Vázquez ran for governor as the candidate of the New Progressive Party (PNP). She lost in the primaries to Pedro Pierluisi, who ultimately won the general election. With this defeat, her term as governor concluded in January 2021, marking the end of a relatively short but eventful period in Puerto Rican politics. Since leaving office, she has remained a figure of continued discussion and debate within Puerto Rican society, particularly regarding her actions and decisions during her time as governor.