QCOSTARICA – President Luis Guillermo Solis confirmed this morning the resignation of Melvin Jiménez, the ministro de la Presidencia.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of Colegio Técnico Profesional de San Isidro de Heredia (Professional Technical College of San Isidro de Heredia),less than 24 hours after Partido Accion Cuidadana (PAC) legislator, Victor Hugo Morales Zapata, said so on a radio program Wednesday.
Solis said he asked Jimenez for his resignation, that became effective as of today.
“His time in government is over,” said Solis
Jimenez has been in the line fire since last week after the circulation of government’s draft bill on radio and television, known as the “gag law” (ley mordaza)
The controversy heated when former deputy minister of Telecommunications, Allan Ruiz, said Jimenez called on him to resign and then offered him an ambassadorship. Jimenez was accused of doing the same with the then deputy minister of the Presidency, Daniel Soley, in the January scandal with Attorney General, Ana Lorena Brenes.
A legislative commission in that case was inconclusive.
The President has said earlier this week to expect changes in his cabinet and did not rule out a Jimenez departure, as he prepares his report to the Legislative Assembly due on May 1.
Solis said he will be announcing a new minister tomorrow.
