Governor says she will ignore Rivera Schatz’s taunts.

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón made it clear Wednesday that she will no longer engage in the public controversy and bickering with Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz that has gone on up to this point.

Stating that conflicts require two parties to exist, the governor and president of the New Progressive Party (NPP) said: “What needed to be said has been said. The people know what I’ve expressed, and there is a lot of work to do.”

“I’m not going to waste time on constant distractions that don’t benefit the public,” she added. “His statements, just as I warned, are meant to divert attention and keep the controversy going, but I will not allow that.”

González Colón emphasized that she will not fall into personal attacks.

“I’ve spent my whole life facing criticism and mockery,” she said. “There’s a fine line, and I won’t allow myself to cross it.”

The governor emphasized that she will continue the progress of her administration.

“Puerto Rico chose results, not conflict,” she said. “We have ended LUMA’s blackouts, we are investing millions in the Aqueducts Authority to address its deteriorated and neglected infrastructure. We’ve begun major road transformations like Kennedy and Baldorioty de Castro, among many others. Permits are being issued faster now, and they will improve even more with the new law. Police statistics show historic improvements, our seniors are being cared for, and the start of the school year is no longer generating negative headlines. The work is visible, and we will not let ourselves be distracted.”

Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz

The governor closed with a call for unity.

“Less noise, more results,” González Colón said. “Anyone in a position of responsibility must act accordingly and defend public policy. Puerto Rico wants teamwork; that’s why mayors of all parties can attest to what we are doing and the openness that exists. Anyone who wants to be an ally and contribute to a better Puerto Rico can count on me. The noise and distractions are behind us. I trust the team the people gave me, and together we will deliver for Puerto Rico.”

The public feud between González Colón and Rivera Schatz has been escalating throughout early 2026, and it is rooted in power struggles within the NPP, policy disputes, and personal political ambitions.

At the center of the dispute between the governor and Rivera Schatz is the latter’s desire to have control over government contracts. Currently, La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech and the governor have control over such matters. The Senate has cited Domenech for a committee of the whole inquiry. 

A major early flashpoint involved the investigation into former Housing Secretary Ciary Pérez Peña, who resigned last weekend because of irregularities involving her family’s car inspection center. 

Another conflict arose when González Colón nominated Verónica Ferraiuoli Hornedo as secretary of state; Rivera Schatz signaled the Senate would not confirm her, leading the governor to withdraw the nomination, after information was made public that the nominee had not filed several income tax filings. That marked one of the first visible fractures in the political relationship between the governor and the Senate president during the new administration. 

González Colón has repeatedly accused Rivera Schatz of obstructing her administration’s work. She stated publicly that the veteran lawmaker engages in “daily criticisms, sarcasm, and obstacles” that derail government efforts. She argues that such behavior aligns with how he has historically clashed with previous NPP governors, including Luis Fortuño Burset, Ricardo Rosselló Nevares and Wanda Vázquez Garced.

A central theme is González Colón’s claim that Rivera Schatz is intentionally generating controversies to position himself for a 2028 run for governor. She asserts that his public challenges, Senate investigations, and social media posts are part of a strategy to keep her administration on the defensive.