Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González announced that Erwin “Farito” Álvarez, subsecretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO), will lead the agency temporarily while she makes a new appointment. This follows the election of DACO Secretary Hiram Torres Montalvo as the new mayor of Cataño in a special election. In a press release, González congratulated Torres Montalvo, praising him as a public servant with the sensitivity to understand people’s problems and take action to resolve them.
She noted she had previously trusted him to serve as PNP secretary general, her Secretary of Public Affairs, and DACO secretary as part of her Cabinet. She pledged to work with him for Cataño’s benefit. The governor also thanked Bethzaida Rodríguez Torres, Félix “Tato” Matías Rodríguez, José “Cheo” Rodríguez Ocaña, and Fernando “Tato” Cintrón Mercado for their willingness to be considered for the mayoral seat.
Before being sworn in as mayor, Torres Montalvo must complete required courses from the Office of Government Ethics, among other requirements.