Chief of Staff of Puerto Rico

The Chief of Staff of Puerto Rico (Spanish: Secretario de la Gobernación de Puerto Rico) is the highest-ranking officer in the executive branch of the government of Puerto Rico after the governor and the secretary of state. The Chief of Staff leads the Secretariat of Governance and is charged with managing and overseeing almost all executive agencies while assisting and advising the governor.

The chief of staff is a political appointee for the Governor of Puerto Rico who does not require Senate confirmation, and who serves at the pleasure of the governor. While it is not a legally required role, since the position was officially established in 1986, all governors since Rafael Hernández Colón have appointed a chief of staff.

The Chief of Staff of Puerto Rico serves as the Governor’s principal aide in directing the executive branch of government and is regarded as the Governor’s main policy advisor. The most important responsibility of the position is to ensure compliance with the Governor’s public policy agenda across all agencies.

The office coordinates the work of agency heads to guarantee the effective implementation of governmental priorities and advises the Governor on administrative, legislative, and policy matters. The Chief of Staff also oversees the preparation of executive orders, legislation, and official memoranda. In addition, the position plays a central role in crisis management and emergency response, assists in the planning and coordination of actions during natural disasters and other emergencies, and may represent the Governor in official activities and meetings with federal entities, municipal governments, and private sector organizations, while monitoring the performance of agencies in the execution of infrastructure projects, social programs, and economic initiatives.