RICO’s Q — Shameful. During an interaction with citizens protesting security restrictions—such as requiring identification to access public areas— at an official Independence Day event in Cartago, former president and Minister of the Presidency and Finance, Rodrigo Chaves, responded with “Vaya cómprese un poquito de crema de rosas” (Go buy yourself a little bit of rose cream) to dismiss and mock a manifestant who was questioning government controls.
In Costa Rica, crema de rosas is a traditional, widely known topical ointment used to treat skin irritation, rashes, or mild burns. Metaphorically, telling someone to apply it implies that they are being overly sensitive, “butt-hurt,” or unable to handle a situation.
He then followed the insult with other playground taunts, such as “Lero, lero, calzón de cuero” (Nyah, nyah, leather pants!), a childish rhyming taunt.
See the video by SemanarioUniversidad.com for yourself.
#Video | Un ciudadano le reclamó al exmandatario, ministro de la Presidencia y de Hacienda, Rodrigo Chaves, sobre las medidas de seguridad implementadas para acceder al acto cívico en ocasión de los 205 años de vida independiente; Chaves le contestó con muecas y burlas. pic.twitter.com/9oa3O2p12Y
— Semanario Universidad (@SemanarioU) September 15, 2026
Conversely, Chaves’s supporters viewed his interactions as a sign of strength and authenticity, praising his refusal to conform to traditional political correctness.
I asked Google AI for its opinion on the taunts by Rodrigo Chaves on Monday night.
The response: “As an AI, I do not have personal opinions, but the events involving Rodrigo Chaves during the Independence Day celebrations in Cartago on September 14, 2026, have generated a strong and highly polarized public debate in Costa Rica.”
Seems to me that AI is a lot classier than our former president!