Puerto Rico Secretary of State

Puerto Rico Secretary of State. The Puerto Rico Secretary of State is the chief clerk and record-keeper of the Government of Puerto Rico, and as such, is the custodian of the Great Seal of Puerto Rico. The secretary is appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico and confirmed by the Puerto Rico Senate, as stated in the Puerto Rico Constitution. The secretary is also a member of the Governor's Cabinet and the Puerto Rico Council of Secretaries, along with other secretaries such as the Puerto Rico Secretary of Treasury and the Puerto Rico Secretary of Education.

History

The office of the Puerto Rico Secretary of State has its roots in the Spanish colonial period, when the Spanish Empire controlled the island. During this time, the Captain General of Puerto Rico served as the chief administrator of the island, with the assistance of the Spanish Royal Decree and the Cortes of Cádiz. After the Spanish–American War, Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States through the Treaty of Paris (1898), and the office of the secretary of state was established as part of the Foraker Act. The first secretary of state was William Henry Hunt, who served under Governor of Puerto Rico Charles Herbert Allen. The secretary has also worked with other notable figures, including Félix Córdova Dávila, Luis Muñoz Marín, and Ricky Rosselló.

Appointment and succession

The Puerto Rico Secretary of State is appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico, with the advice and consent of the Puerto Rico Senate. The secretary must be a United States citizen, a Puerto Rico resident, and at least 30 years old, as stated in the Puerto Rico Constitution and the Ley de Estado Civil. The secretary serves a term of four years, concurrent with that of the governor, and can be reappointed. In case of a vacancy, the governor appoints a new secretary, subject to senate confirmation, as seen in the cases of Kenneth McClintock and David Bernier. The secretary has also worked with other government officials, including the Mayor of San Juan, the Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly, and the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico.

Duties and responsibilities

The Puerto Rico Secretary of State has several duties and responsibilities, including serving as the chief clerk and record-keeper of the Government of Puerto Rico. The secretary is responsible for maintaining the Great Seal of Puerto Rico and for authenticating official documents, such as those related to the Puerto Rico Department of State and the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration. The secretary also serves as a member of the Governor's Cabinet and the Puerto Rico Council of Secretaries, and advises the governor on matters related to foreign policy and international relations, including interactions with the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and the European Union. The secretary has also worked with notable international figures, including António Guterres, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, and Federica Mogherini.

List of secretaries of state

The following is a list of some of the secretaries of state who have served in Puerto Rico: * William Henry Hunt (1900-1901) * Félix Córdova Dávila (1907-1909) * Luis Muñoz Marín (1949-1965) * Roberto Sánchez Vilella (1965-1969) * Chardón Colón (1969-1973) * Luis Ferre (1973-1977) * Carlos Romero Barceló (1977-1985) * Héctor Luis Acevedo (1985-1993) * Baltasar Corrada del Río (1993-1995) * Norma Burgos (1995-1999) * Ángel Morey (1999-2001) * Fernando Bonilla (2001-2005) * Marisara Pont (2005-2009) * Kenneth McClintock (2009-2013) * David Bernier (2013-2017) * Luis Rivera Marín (2017-2021) * Omar Marrero (2021-present)

Office and agencies

The Puerto Rico Secretary of State is headquartered in the Department of State building in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has several agencies and offices under its jurisdiction, including the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, and the Puerto Rico State Agency for Emergency and Disaster Management. The secretary also works closely with other government agencies, such as the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury, and the Puerto Rico Department of Education, as well as with private organizations, including the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce and the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association. The secretary has also collaborated with international organizations, including the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. Category:Government of Puerto Rico