Bayamón’s first lady is appointed interim secretary of state

Governor: Withdrawal of Ferraiuoli is no political defeat

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón

By The Star Staff

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has withdrawn the appointment of Secretary of State Verónica Ferraiuoli Hornedo, dismissed Deputy Secretary Fernando Sánchez and made the interim appointment of Narel Colón, the wife of Bayamón Mayor Ramón Luis Rivera Cruz as secretary of state.

Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz confirmed the development on Monday during a morning radio interview program. He stressed that there is no power struggle between himself and the governor.

Ferraiuoli submitted a letter requesting the withdrawal of her appointment on Sunday. Rivera Schatz said the request came after a conversation with González Colón the same afternoon, in which he indicated that Ferraiuoli “had very few votes” and suggested that the governor withdraw her nomination as a courtesy to avoid it having to be rejected in the upper chamber.

Rivera Schatz emphasized that there are no differences between him and the president of the New Progressive Party.

“There is no contest between the governor and me. The governor of Puerto Rico has my support as party president and as governor. I back her completely,” he said. “Simply put, we had a difference of opinion regarding this particular appointment. We have confirmed 93% of the nominees and have addressed nearly all of the administration’s bills. We have shared and supported initiatives related to energy, security, the economy, and tax matters. Therefore, there is no controversy or contest. Nobody won here, and nobody lost.”

The Senate president also discussed the possibility of holding a meeting last Thursday to discuss Ferraiuoli’s appointment. He noted that he preferred to allow more time for evaluation, which ultimately led to the withdrawal of the nomination on Sunday.

Ferraiuoli’s withdrawal raises questions about the governor’s vetting process and the potential challenges ahead for securing Senate approval for future appointments. While González Colón expressed confidence in Ferraiuoli’s qualifications, the Senate’s apparent lack of support indicates deeper issues that may need to be resolved to ensure smoother confirmations going forward. The opposition to Ferraiuoli stemmed from her failure to file income tax returns for three years.

The governor said later on Monday that Ferraiuoli could take on other responsibilities in her administration, although she ruled out sending her back to the Senate for a position requiring legislative approval.

“She could have other responsibilities, of course,” González Colón said at a press conference in Arecibo. “I don’t believe she is submitting her nomination for a position that requires legislative approval.”

The governor maintained that Ferraiuoli will continue to collaborate in her administration and did not consider her departure a political defeat.

“I see it as a normal process in the legislative process, where appointments are evaluated,” she said.

Meanwhile, the governor withdrew the appointment of Antonio Ramos Guardiola as chief innovation and information officer and executive director of the Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service (PRITS).

González Colón stated in a letter addressed to Rivera Schatz, dated Monday, that she was removing the appointment. The letter sent did not explain the reasons for the withdrawal.

Ramos Guardiola had been nominated for the posts on Jan. 12.