<P> Contrary to some U.S. states, if the governor is temporarily away from Puerto Rico, the Secretary of State, or in his absence the highest ranking Cabinet member in the line of succession, becomes acting governor until the governor's return . In decades past, when off - island gubernatorial travel was infrequent, the powers of the governorship rarely devolved upon the Secretary of State or other Cabinet officers . More accessible travel have turned the acting governorship a much more common occurrence . During recent times, not only Secretary of State frequently served as acting governor, but the Secretary of Justice, and Secretary of Treasury as well . </P> <P> There have been different governors throughout the Spanish rule and the United States rule over Puerto Rico . The following list include the past governors elected by the Puerto Rican people after the proclamation of the Constitution of Puerto Rico in 1952 . </P> <Ul> <Li> 1949--1965: Luis Muñoz Marín </Li> <Li> 1965--1969: Roberto Sánchez Vilella </Li> <Li> 1969--1973: Luis A. Ferré </Li> <Li> 1973--1977: Rafael Hernández Colón </Li> <Li> 1977--1985: Carlos Romero Barceló </Li> <Li> 1985--1993: Rafael Hernández Colón </Li> </Ul> <Li> 1949--1965: Luis Muñoz Marín </Li>

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