Puerto Rico governor to quit after mass protests

Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said he will quit next week after almost two weeks of protests calling for his resignation.

Rosselló said in a video message on Facebook that he will resign August 2, at 5 p.m. ET.

The governor had been expected to announce his resignation earlier Wednesday as lawmakers were ready to begin impeachment proceedings.

“I feel that to continue in this position would make it difficult for the success that I have achieved to endure,” Rosselló said, listing accomplishments in office that ranged from creating new industries to promoting equal pay for women.

Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez will likely take his place as governor.

People of San Juan came out to celebrate the news of Rosselló's resignation, with fireworks, drumming, music and cheering.

Thousands of people have jammed the streets of San Juan for days, calling for Rosselló's resignation after Puerto Rico's Center for Investigative Journalism published a series of group messages between the governor and his inner circle that included homophobic and misogynistic language and jokes about Hurricane Maria victims.

Protesters say Rosselló's resignation is only a first step in what they call an historic challenge to a political power structure long dominated by two parties.