Jenniffer González Colón was sworn in Thursday as Puerto Rico’s new governor during a normally ebullient ceremony held amid widespread anger over a blackout that hit the U.S. territory days ago.
González, a Republican who backs President-elect Donald Trump and whose pro-statehood New Progressive Party secured a historic third consecutive term after she won the Nov. 5 election, has pledged to stabilize the Caribbean island’s crumbling power grid.
"There are many challenges facing our island,” she said in her first public address as governor as she acknowledged the blackout in a speech to a crowd gathered in front of the seaside Capitol. “That is precisely what moves me to address that first challenge with a sense of urgency. “I’m going to fulfill my promises to you,” she said. “I am not going to govern only for those who voted for me. I am going to be the governor of all Puerto Ricans.”
She pledged to improve Puerto Rico’s infrastructure, hospitals and schools, adding that she intends to boost bilingual education.
Before the start of a ceremony to celebrate her swearing in, González attended Mass surrounded by family and supporters.
“What better than to come first to thank God and to ask God to give me the wisdom, the fortitude and the tools to fulfill everything I promised the people of Puerto Rico,” she told reporters.
González has promised to appoint an energy "czar" to review potential contractual breaches while another operator is found to possibly replace Luma Energy, a private company that oversees the transmission and distribution of power in Puerto Rico.
However, no contract can be canceled without prior approval from Puerto Rico's Energy Bureau and a federal control board that oversees the island's finances.
Supporters and critics gathered for the ceremony, some clutching umbrellas to shield themselves from the blistering sun.
"Because she's a woman, she's going to be a great governor," said Amanda Sánchez León, a retired government employee, who arrived two hours early to secure a spot outside an area reserved for guests. She said she was hopeful that González would reduce violent crimes and improve education and health, "especially for us older people." She also believed the power crisis would improve and that González would see her promises through.
"The people are suffering," Sánchez said.
Also supporting the new governor was Lizbeth Rodríguez, a school nurse, who believed that as a mother, González would prioritize the island's weak education system and tackle crime.
While Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, they are not allowed to vote in presidential elections, and officials with the New Progressive Party have noted the island receives unequal treatment when it comes to Medicaid, Medicare and other federal programs.
"Statehood means equality, and I want us to have that access to opportunities," González said. "I want to have those opportunities here so that our people can move forward."
Congratulations to the new governor of Puerto Rico Jennifer González!
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