Wanda Vázquez Garced

Vázquez was born in Santurce, San Juan and raised in Guaynabo. Her parents worked in a factory, her father as a security guard. Her mother died at the age of 53. Her father has been remarried for twenty years. She has a younger brother and an older sister. She began her primary studies at the Ramón Marín and Margarita Janer schools in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.{{Cite web |url=https://www.fortaleza.pr.gov/conoce/gobernadora |title=Gobernadora | la Fortaleza |access-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416125616/https://www.fortaleza.pr.gov/conoce/gobernadora |url-status=live }} Vázquez became interested in law at an early age. She said in an interview that she used to watch TV shows like Hawaii Five-O with her father, which led her to realize she wanted to follow a career along that line. Vázquez studied at the University of Puerto Rico, where she completed her bachelor's degree. After that, she completed her Juris doctor (J.D.) at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law.[https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/insisten-en-renuncia-de-wanda-v-zquez/article_0d9e7e5a-f43d-11e8-b696-b7f827955560.html Insisten en renuncia de Wanda Vázquez: Líder cameral dice que este paso ayudaría a la jefa de Justicia a demostrar su integridad.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303225823/https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/insisten-en-renuncia-de-wanda-v-zquez/article_0d9e7e5a-f43d-11e8-b696-b7f827955560.html |date=March 3, 2020 }} Ayeza Díaz Rolón. EL VOCERO November 30, 2018. Accessed March 3, 2020.

{{Expand section|date=August 2019}}

During the 1980s, Vázquez worked for the Puerto Rico Department of Housing. She then worked as a district attorney for the Puerto Rico Department of Justice for 20 years. Vázquez specialized in cases of domestic and gender violence. She also worked in the Criminal Division for the Bayamón Prosecutor's office.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}

In 2010, Vázquez was appointed to replace Ivonne Feliciano as the head of the Office for Women's Rights of the island.{{cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/puerto-rico/el-nuevo-d%C3%ADa/20161201/281659664654901|title=Wanda Vázquez Garced|language=es|newspaper=El Nuevo Día|date=December 1, 2016|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910204216/https://www.pressreader.com/puerto-rico/el-nuevo-d%C3%ADa/20161201/281659664654901|url-status=live}} On November 30, 2016, Governor-elect Ricardo Rosselló nominated her for the position of Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico. She was confirmed and sworn in January 18, 2017.{{cite news|url=https://www.telemundopr.com/noticias/destacados/Confirman-a-Wanda-Vazquez-como-Secretaria-de-Justicia-411114815.html|title=Confirman a Wanda Vázquez como Secretaria de Justicia|work=Telemundo PR|date=January 18, 2017|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910204217/https://www.telemundopr.com/noticias/destacados/Confirman-a-Wanda-Vazquez-como-Secretaria-de-Justicia-411114815.html|url-status=live}}

{{See also|Government of Wanda Vázquez Garced}}

File:Wanda Vázquez Garced and Don Young - 19.jpg (R-AK) in November 2019.]]

File:Chris Murphy with Wanda Vasquez.jpg (D-CT).]]

Vázquez was initially expected to become Governor of Puerto Rico after the resignation of Ricardo Rosselló on August 2, 2019.{{cite news |last1=Del Real |first1=Jose A. |last2=Robles |first2=Frances |date=July 24, 2019 |title=Who Is Wanda Vázquez, Who Is in Line to Become Puerto Rico's Next Governor? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/24/us/puerto-rico-wanda-vasquez-governor.html |work=New York Times |access-date=July 25, 2019 |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724225619/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/24/us/puerto-rico-wanda-vasquez-governor.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news | title=Puerto Rico Governor's Resignation Shakes Bankrupt Commonwealth | newspaper=Bloomberg.com | date=July 24, 2019 | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-24/puerto-rico-lawmakers-push-to-impeach-crisis-beset-governor?srnd=premium | access-date=July 25, 2019 | archive-date=July 25, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725015356/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-24/puerto-rico-lawmakers-push-to-impeach-crisis-beset-governor?srnd=premium | url-status=live }} She was met with opposition, with critics calling for her resignation due to allegations of corruption and inability to deal with domestic violence on the island. Protests against her proposed succession as governor took place, the most notable of these being the Somos Más march (Spanish for "We Are More") a title alluding to a popular chant during the protests calling for Rosselló's resignation.{{cite web |title=Manifestantes piden la renuncia de Wanda Vázquez |url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/videos/manifestantespidenlarenunciadewandavazquez-video-256851/ |website=El Nuevo Día |access-date=July 27, 2019 |date=July 25, 2019 |archive-date=July 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727183355/https://www.elnuevodia.com/videos/manifestantespidenlarenunciadewandavazquez-video-256851/ |url-status=live }} The hashtag #WandaRenuncia (Spanish for "Wanda Resign") began trending on Twitter soon after Rosselló announced his intention to resign.{{cite web |last1=Cole |first1=Brendan |title=#WandaRenuncia Trends As Puerto Ricans Call for Ricardo Rosello's Likely Successor As Governor to Resign As Well |url=https://www.newsweek.com/puerto-rico-rossello-wanda-wanda-vazquez-1451114 |website=Newsweek |access-date=July 27, 2019 |date=July 25, 2019 |archive-date=July 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726164826/https://www.newsweek.com/puerto-rico-rossello-wanda-wanda-vazquez-1451114 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Steinbuch |first1=Yason |title=Puerto Ricans will continue protests if governor's likely successor takes office |url=https://nypost.com/2019/07/25/puerto-ricans-will-continue-protests-if-governors-likely-successor-takes-office/ |website=New York Post |access-date=July 27, 2019 |date=July 25, 2019 |archive-date=July 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726135647/https://nypost.com/2019/07/25/puerto-ricans-will-continue-protests-if-governors-likely-successor-takes-office/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Martínez |first1=Gina |title=Puerto Rico's Governor Is Resigning. But His Successor Worries Protestors Too |url=https://time.com/5633884/wanda-vazquez-puerto-rico-governor-successor/ |magazine=Time |access-date=July 27, 2019 |archive-date=July 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727054744/https://time.com/5633884/wanda-vazquez-puerto-rico-governor-successor/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=De Jesús Salamán |first1=Adriana |title="Wanda renuncia" adorna calles de San Juan |url=https://www.noticel.com/ahora/gobierno/wanda-renuncia-adorna-calles-de-san-juan/1099836861 |website=Noticel |access-date=July 27, 2019 |date=July 25, 2019 |archive-date=July 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725225552/https://www.noticel.com/ahora/gobierno/wanda-renuncia-adorna-calles-de-san-juan/1099836861 |url-status=live }} Vázquez said on Twitter that she had no interest in becoming governor,{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/28/us/puerto-rico-governor-successor-declines-job/index.html|title=The woman who was next in line to be Puerto Rico's governor doesn't want the job|author=Amir Vera and Leyla Santiago|website=CNN|date=July 28, 2019|access-date=July 29, 2019|archive-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729002659/https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/28/us/puerto-rico-governor-successor-declines-job/index.html|url-status=live}} and that she would take the position only if she were constitutionally required to.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/29/us/puerto-rico-march-vazquez-rossello.html|title=Protests Are Still Erupting in Puerto Rico. This Time, It's Over Wanda Vázquez as Governor|last=Robles|first=Frances|date=July 29, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 29, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729211115/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/29/us/puerto-rico-march-vazquez-rossello.html|url-status=live}}

On July 31, Rosselló announced that he was appointing former Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi to the vacant position of the Secretary of State, as the secretary of state superseded the secretary of justice in the order of succession.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/puerto-rico-gov-rossell-names-pedro-pierluisi-secretary-state-could-n1037141|title=Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló wants Pedro Pierluisi to succeed him|website=NBC News|access-date=July 31, 2019|archive-date=July 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731225755/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/puerto-rico-gov-rossell-names-pedro-pierluisi-secretary-state-could-n1037141|url-status=live}} On August 1, however, the Puerto Rican Senate blocked Pierluisi from being confirmed as secretary of state in time for Rosselló's resignation on August 2, meaning that he only served in the office on acting basis.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/Puerto-Rico-Governor-Successor-Delayed-513504261.html|title=Puerto Rico Still Unsure Who'll Be Governor Within Hours|first=Dánica|last=Coto|website=NBC New York|access-date=August 3, 2019|archive-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802184354/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/Puerto-Rico-Governor-Successor-Delayed-513504261.html|url-status=live}} Upon Rosselló's resignation, Pierluisi succeeded to the governorship in a de facto manner instead of Vázquez. However, as he had not been confirmed by the Senate, the validity of his governorship was called into question.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49218012|title=Puerto Rico gets new governor after text scandal|date=August 3, 2019|work=BBC News|access-date=August 3, 2019|archive-date=August 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803153102/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49218012|url-status=live}}

On August 7, 2019, the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico ruled that Pierluisi was sworn in on unconstitutional grounds and removed him from office, effective at 5 p.m. AST. At that time, Vázquez became the second female governor of Puerto Rico.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/07/us/puerto-rico-governor-supreme-court-pierluisi.html|title=Puerto Rico Supreme Court Rules New Governor Was Unlawfully Sworn In|last1=Mazzei|first1=Patricia|date=August 7, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=August 7, 2019|last2=Robles|first2=Frances|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807172952/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/07/us/puerto-rico-governor-supreme-court-pierluisi.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ramajudicial.pr/Prensa/comunicados/2019/08-07-19b.htm|title=Portal de la Rama Judicial de Puerto Rico|website=www.ramajudicial.pr|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807203737/http://www.ramajudicial.pr/Prensa/comunicados/2019/08-07-19b.htm|url-status=live}}

Vázquez stated she wanted to recover Hurricane Maria relief funds, and review all government contracts to ensure they are managed correctly, free of corruption. She said she wanted to work with President Donald Trump to help the island of Puerto Rico and its 3.2 million American citizens.{{cite web | last=Coto | first=Dánica | title=AP Interview: Puerto Rico governor to stay, fight corruption | website=AP NEWS | date=August 16, 2019 | url=https://apnews.com/dcfed280931140e1942b5746dde38f92 | access-date=August 17, 2019 | archive-date=August 16, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816212249/https://apnews.com/dcfed280931140e1942b5746dde38f92 | url-status=live }} She stated all contracts signed by Ricardo Rosselló would be reviewed.{{cite web | title=Contracts Signed by Former Puerto Rican Governor May Go Under Review. Will This Lead to Change? - The Takeaway | website=WNYC Studios | date=January 29, 1978 | url=https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/contracts-signed-former-puerto-rican-governor-review | access-date=August 19, 2019 | archive-date=August 19, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819011034/https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/contracts-signed-former-puerto-rican-governor-review | url-status=live }} At the same time, HUD (Housing and Urban Development) stated that hurricane funds would be delayed to Puerto Rico due to corruption, and incapacity to absorb funds for projects, respectively.{{cite web | title=HUD Delays Hurricane Aid Citing P.R. Corruption, V.I. Capacity | website=St. John Source | date=August 6, 2019 | url=https://stjohnsource.com/2019/08/06/citing-corruption-hud-delays-hurricane-aid/ | access-date=August 19, 2019 | archive-date=August 9, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809175234/https://stjohnsource.com/2019/08/06/citing-corruption-hud-delays-hurricane-aid/ | url-status=live }}

In the aftermath of 2019–20 Puerto Rico earthquakes residents discovered unused aid from Hurricane Maria in a warehouse in Ponce and as a result Vázquez fired her emergency management director.{{Cite web|title=Puerto Rico residents outraged after discovering unused aid from Hurricane Maria|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/puerto-rico-residents-outraged-after-discovering-warehouse-full-unused-aid-n1118501|access-date=2020-08-30|website=NBC News|language=en|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916210338/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/puerto-rico-residents-outraged-after-discovering-warehouse-full-unused-aid-n1118501|url-status=live}} On July 21, 2020, the Puerto Rico Office of the Special Independent Prosecutor's Panel opened a case against Vázquez for alleged violation of the Commonwealth's ethics law, as well as federal regulations, related to her handling of aid to the earthquake victims.{{Cite web|title=FEI ofrece detalles de la investigación a Wanda Vázquez|url=https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/gobierno-politica/notas/fei-ofrece-detalles-de-la-investigacion-a-wanda-vazquez/|access-date=2020-08-30|website=Primera Hora|date=July 21, 2020|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926231216/https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/gobierno-politica/notas/fei-ofrece-detalles-de-la-investigacion-a-wanda-vazquez/|url-status=live}} She responded by accusing the judge in charge of the investigation of being a supporter of her primary elections challenger Pedro Pierluisi. Vázquez was ordered by the panel to present evidence in the form of photos which she claimed demonstrated that political motives were behind the investigation, but she failed to provide said evidence.{{Cite web|last=elvocero.com|first=Redacción|title=PFEI ordena entrega de evidencia a defensa de Wanda Vázquez|url=https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/pfei-ordena-entrega-de-evidencia-a-defensa-de-wanda-v-zquez/article_823687ba-cdbe-11ea-9484-43556aef7bfb.html|access-date=2020-08-30|website=El Vocero de Puerto Rico|language=es|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726153953/https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/pfei-ordena-entrega-de-evidencia-a-defensa-de-wanda-v-zquez/article_823687ba-cdbe-11ea-9484-43556aef7bfb.html|url-status=live}}

On March 12, 2020, Vázquez declared a state of emergency for Puerto Rico and activated the Puerto Rican National Guard as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico.{{Cite web|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/coronavirus/2020/03/12/governor-of-puerto-rico-declares-emergency-activates-national-guard-in-response-to-coronavirus/|title=Governor of Puerto Rico declares emergency, activates National Guard in response to coronavirus|last=Gresik|first=Dylan|date=March 13, 2020|website=Military Times|language=en-US|access-date=March 26, 2020|archive-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331155806/https://www.militarytimes.com/news/coronavirus/2020/03/12/governor-of-puerto-rico-declares-emergency-activates-national-guard-in-response-to-coronavirus/|url-status=live}}

On October 6, 2020, Vásquez endorsed Donald Trump for the 2020 United States presidential election.{{cite web |last1=Castronuovo |first1=Celine |title=Puerto Rico governor endorses Trump |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/519854-puerto-rico-governor-endorses-trump |website=The Hill |date=October 6, 2020 |publisher=Capitol Hill Publishing Corp |access-date=6 October 2020 |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009150452/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/519854-puerto-rico-governor-endorses-trump |url-status=live }}

On August 16, 2020, Vázquez lost the gubernatorial primary race to Pedro Pierluisi. With 75.6% of voting stations reporting, Pierluisi had won about 57.9% of the votes to Vazquez’s 42.1%, clinching the nomination for New Progressive Party. Pierluisi claimed victory after Vázquez recognized his lead and said she respected the will of voters.{{Cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/puerto-rico-governor-vazquez-loses-primary-race-to-pierluisi/ar-BB181Adl?li=BBnbcA1 |title=Puerto Rico Governor Vazquez Loses Primary Race to Pierluisi |website=MSN |access-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216030401/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/puerto-rico-governor-vazquez-loses-primary-race-to-pierluisi/ar-BB181Adl?li=BBnbcA1 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/puerto-rico-gov-wanda-vazquez-loses-primary-pro-statehood-party-n1236901 |title=Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez loses primary of pro-statehood party |website=NBC News |access-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820185612/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/puerto-rico-gov-wanda-vazquez-loses-primary-pro-statehood-party-n1236901 |url-status=live }}

Vázquez is married to Jorge Díaz Reverón, a judge in Caguas, Puerto Rico. She has two daughters, Stephanie and Beatriz Díaz Vázquez.

• List of female governors in the United States
• List of party switchers in the United States
• Telegramgate

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.fortaleza.pr.gov/conoce/gobernador Gobernador de Puerto Rico Official Site - La Fortaleza] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703111234/https://www.fortaleza.pr.gov/conoce/gobernador |date=July 3, 2020 }}
• {{Twitter|wandavazquezg}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-legal}}

{{s-bef|before=César Miranda}}

{{s-ttl|title=Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico|years=2017–2019}}

{{s-aft|after=Dennise Longo Quiñones}}

|-

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef|before=Pedro Pierluisi
De facto}}

{{s-ttl|title=Governor of Puerto Rico|years=2019–2021}}

{{s-aft|after=Pedro Pierluisi}}

{{s-end}}

{{Puerto Rico Governors}}

{{Subject bar|auto=y|d=y}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vazquez Garced, Wanda}}

Category:1960 births

Category:20th-century Puerto Rican lawyers

Category:21st-century Puerto Rican lawyers

Category:Democratic Party (Puerto Rico) politicians

Category:Governors of Puerto Rico

Category:Interamerican University of Puerto Rico alumni

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the 17th Cabinet of Puerto Rico

Category:New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico) politicians

Category:People from San Juan, Puerto Rico

Category:Puerto Rico attorneys general

Category:Republican Party (Puerto Rico) politicians

Category:Republican Party governors of Puerto Rico

Category:Secretaries of justice of Puerto Rico

Category:University of Puerto Rico alumni

Category:Women governors of Puerto Rico

Category:21st-century Puerto Rican politicians

Category:20th-century Puerto Rican women lawyers

Category:21st-century Puerto Rican women lawyers

Category:21st-century Puerto Rican women politicians