Q COSTARICA –The appointment of Marta Esquivel, former executive president of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) and former Minister of Planning, as the first-place candidate for legislator for the province of Heredia on the Patriso Pueblo Soberano (PPSO) ballot, drew strong criticism from former Health Minister Joselyn Chacón (2022-2023).
Chacón described Esquivel’s appointment as “regrettable” and questioned her record in public office, asserting that her actions do not represent the values of Costa Rican women.
“Mrs. Marta Esquivel, justice does not mean firing officials for political affiliations or during maternity leave, which is one of the most fragile times for many women, nor does it mean intimidating officials at the Heredia Hospital or placing a pupil of yours who never did anything to earn a position in second place,” Chacón stated on her Facebook account.
The former health minister added that, while she recognizes other candidates on the ballot who do have merits to aspire to a legislative seat, Esquivel’s presence taints the internal process.
“Both this and other candidates are regrettable, but I do take my hat off to other people who do deserve to be on that ballot, and I say this with full knowledge of the facts (…) This doesn’t mean that I’m not an option for whom to vote, but you know I speak directly, and as a woman, I’m not represented by Mrs. Martha,” she stated.
Chacón also sent a direct message to Esquivel, pointing out that her leadership style contradicts the representation that women should have in politics:
“We’re electing our next Assembly; let it be with arguments, but a mother who uses her position to figuratively kill other women is not and will not be a woman I’m going to applaud.”