PDP spokesperson calls for NPP senator’s resignation after leaked audio

Sen. Karen Román Rodríguez (Facebook via Karen Román Senadora Oficial)

By THE STAR STAFF

Waleska Avilés Medina, the minority spokesperson for the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) in Añasco, reacted on Monday to a newly leaked audio recording of New Progressive Party (NPP) Sen. Karen Román Rodríguez in which the legislator launches harsh attacks against District 18 (Moca, Aguada, Rincón and Añasco) Rep. Odalys González González and others. Both Román and González were elected under the NPP banner in last year’s general elections.

The 41-second audio, circulating on social media, includes Román, the senator for District 4 (Mayagüez-Aguadilla), making inflammatory remarks about González’s alleged ties to the mayor of Rincón, a member of the PDP, and threatening consequences. Román also accuses the mayor of facing imminent legal trouble and suggests González could face similar issues. The recording further references past political disputes and claims of election interference involving former PDP senators.

Avilés condemned Román’s behavior, stating: “Once again, it is evident that this legislator and alleged evangelical pastor has no respect for others nor for the title she holds in the legislature. If the NPP delegation took action against Senator Roxana Soto Aguilú, even assigning psychological counseling, what do they plan to do with Karen Román, who is a disgrace to her delegation?”

This is not the first controversy involving Román. Earlier this year, another leaked audio revealed her insulting independent Sen. Eliezer Molina Pérez and making disparaging comments about Aguada Mayor Christian Cortés Feliciano and PDP Senate Minority Leader Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz. Román also made headlines in April when Frontier Airlines expelled her from a flight from Orlando to San Juan for allegedly making verbal threats against passengers and crew.

“Due to her conduct, she was not allowed to continue on the flight,” Frontier stated in a written declaration regarding the April 28 incident.

Avilés added that Román’s recent apology on Facebook was “another insult to voters” and reiterated calls for her resignation. “In the previous incident, she disappeared for two weeks and later mocked the situation on WABA 850 AM, claiming the audio was artificial intelligence,” Avilés said. “Her shamelessness is undeniable.”