Governor of Puerto Rico

Governor of Puerto Rico
Seal of the governor
Standard of the governor
since January 2, 2021
Executive branch of the government of Puerto Rico
Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico
StyleHis/Her Excellency (diplomatic)
Governor (when presiding)
First Executive (third person)
ResidenceLa Fortaleza
Term lengthFour years, no term limit
Inaugural holderJuan Ponce de León (Spanish colonial government)
Luis Muñoz Marín (Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico)
Formation1508; 516 years ago (1508) (Spanish colonial government)
1952; 72 years ago (1952) (Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico)
SalaryUS$70,000 (2013)[1]
Websitewww.fortaleza.pr.gov

The governor of Puerto Rico (Spanish: gobernador de Puerto Rico) is the head of government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and commander-in-chief of the Puerto Rico National Guard. Currently, Pedro Pierlusi is serving as the 189th governor of the archipelago and island.

The governor has a duty to enforce local laws, to convene the Legislative Assembly, the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Legislative Assembly, to appoint government officers, to appoint justices, and to grant pardons. Since 1948, the governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico. Prior to that, the governor was appointed either by the king of Spain (1510–1898) or the president of the United States (1898–1948).

Article IV of the Constitution of Puerto Rico vests the executive power on the governor and empowers them with the faculty to appoint officers.[2] These two faculties in allow the governor to delegate most of their functions while continuing to be the chief executive and head of government.

  1. ^ "CSG Releases 2013 Governor Salaries". The Council of State Governments. June 25, 2013. Archived from the original on October 22, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  2. ^ Law No. 104 of 1956. Accessed 27 November 2012. Archived 16 February 2017.