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Puerto Rico is poised for one of its biggest-ever protests to drive Gov. Ricardo Rossello from office. Here's how it reached this point.

James Pasley,James Pasley   

Puerto Rico is poised for one of its biggest-ever protests to drive Gov. Ricardo Rossello from office. Here's how it reached this point.
Politics1 min read

Protesters demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello.

Joe Raedle / Getty

Protesters demonstrate against Ricardo Rossello.

  • On Monday, Puerto Rico could have its biggest protest ever. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to take over one of the country's largest highways to force Gov. Ricardo Rossello to resign.
  • Rossello has come under fire due to corruption charges leveled against his administration, as well as the leaking of 889 pages of online conversations between him and nine of his aides.
  • The messages are filled with misogynistic and homophobic obscenities, as well as a joke about hurricane victims. People are calling the scandal "Chatgate" or "Rickyleaks".
  • On July 21, Rosello announced via Facebook video he would not seek re-election, but he would not resign as leader. Instead of quelling the demonstrators, it seemed to have fired protesters up further.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Puerto Ricans are storming the streets as they attempt to drive 40-year-old Gov. Ricardo Rossello from office.

On Monday, Puerto Rico could have its biggest protest ever. Hundreds of thousands are expected to take over one of the country's largest highways to force Rossello to resign.

Rossello has come under fire due to corruption charges leveled against his administration, as well as the leaking of 889 pages of private messages between him and nine of his aides. The scandal - which has been dubbed "Chatgate" or "Rickyleaks" - includes obscenities directed at two female Puerto Rican politicians and at Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin. There was also a joke about dead bodies piling up after Hurricane Maria.

On July 21, Rosello announced via Facebook video he would not seek re-election, but he would not resign as leader. Instead of quelling the demonstrators, it seemed to have fired them up further.

Here's how the protests came about and what to expect out of Puerto Rico on Monday.

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