Despite past criticism, González commends Pierluisi at NPP convention

On Thursday, Jenniffer González Colón, president of the New Progressive Party, recognized the work of former governor Pedro Rafael Pierluisi Urrutia during the opening of the NPP’s Future Equality Convention.

By THE STAR STAFF

Governor and president of the New Progressive Party (NPP), Jenniffer Aidyn González Colón, on Thursday recognized the work of former governor Pedro Rafael Pierluisi Urrutia during the opening of the NPP’s Future Equality Convention, held at the Caribe Hilton Hotel.

“I had the opportunity to speak with former governor Pedro Pierluisi, whom we invited, but he will not be available due to another commitment. However, we will be seeing each other because as soon as we are able to inaugurate the Vieques Hospital—which was started and completed under his administration—we will recognize that work,” said González Colón.

“I must also thank Governor Pierluisi, with whom I discussed important projects we have in common. I will take charge of finishing the projects he started, such as the Valenciano Reservoir and the Vieques Hospital, among others. Because I believe that we must recognize the good that each governor does, and that’s exactly what I intend to do,” González Colón stated.

“We will also acknowledge the second most important recent water infrastructure project: the Valenciano Reservoir, which had been under discussion for 30 years and was finally commissioned under Pedro Pierluisi’s governorship,” she added.

“As president of this party, along with our vice president Thomas Rivera Schatz, Johnny Méndez, and Rosaschelli Rivera, we are ready to ride the wave of the future—the wave of progress, the wave of equality that represents the principles of statehood for Puerto Rico and of this party, where we do not punish anyone with indifference,” the governor declared.

“We invite you to celebrate the opportunities of the future, precisely at a time when we have a PNP government. So today, I ask you to join me in launching the NPP’s Future Equality Convention,” she said.

González Colón had previously been critical of Pierluisi’s administration when she challenged him in the race for governor, stating in a campaign message that “the government is not heading in the right direction.” She ultimately prevailed in the arty primary.

During the convention, workshops will be held featuring participation from former governors Luis Guillermo Fortuño Burset and Ricardo Antonio Rosselló Nevares. On Sunday, the NPP General Assembly will take place at the Coca-Cola Music Hall.