News

A woman holds a sign with message that reads in Spanish: "When tyranny is the law, a revolution is in order" during a protest outside the governor’s residence, the Fortaleza, after Pedro Pierluisi was sworn in as Puerto Rico's governor, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (Dennis M. Rivera Pichardo / AP Photo)

Puerto Rican Supreme Court Agrees To See Senate Lawsuit Amid Political Crisis

By The Associated Press August 5, 2019 at 11:13am

Afternoon updates on Puerto Rico’s political crisis (all times local):

2:10 p.m.

Puerto Rico‘s Supreme Court has agreed to rule on a lawsuit filed by the island’s Senate to oust a veteran politician who was sworn in as governor.

The court gave all parties until Tuesday at noon to file all arguments.

The announcement means that a court hearing planned for early Monday evening to handle the lawsuit has been cancelled.

The Senate originally filed the lawsuit with the Court of First Instance but then asked if the Supreme Court could take the case.

The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction ordering Pedro Pierluisi to cease his functions immediately.

It also asks that the court declare unconstitutional a 2005 law that states a secretary of state does not have to be approved by both House and Senate if he steps in as governor.

1:50 p.m.

A Puerto Rico court could have the final say on who should lead the U.S. territory after the island’s Senate filed a lawsuit seeking to oust a veteran politician recently sworn in as the island’s governor.

The Superior Court of San Juan is scheduled to hold a hearing early Monday evening as Puerto Ricans who successfully ousted the previous governor from office following nearly two weeks of popular protests await yet another twist in what is a deepening constitutional crisis.

However, there’s a chance that hearing might not even happen.

The Senate at the last minute asked the Supreme Court to take up the case, although that court has not yet responded.

The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction ordering Pedro Pierluisi to cease his functions immediately and also asks that the court declare unconstitutional a 2005 law that states a secretary of state does not have to be approved by both House and Senate if he has to step in as governor.

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

Submit a Correction →

We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:

Court, Law, Lawsuit, Politics, Protests, Puerto Rico, Secretary of state, Senate, Supreme Court, Unconstitutional, WJ Wire

The Associated Press

SummaryMore Biographical InformationRecent PostsContact

The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. Their teams in over 100 countries tell the world’s stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting. They provide content and services to help engage audiences worldwide, working with companies of all types, from broadcasters to brands. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter

@AP

Facebook

The Associated Press was the first private sector organization in the U.S. to operate on a national scale. Over the past 170 years, they have been first to inform the world of many of history's most important moments, from the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the fall of the Shah of Iran and the death of Pope John Paul.

Today, they operate in 263 locations in more than 100 countries relaying breaking news, covering war and conflict and producing enterprise reports that tell the world's stories.

Location

New York City