Q COSTARICA — The possibility of someone attempting to assassinate President Laura Fernández because of her fight against drug trafficking and organized crime doesn’t keep her up at night.
In the weekly press conference on Wednesday, doña Laura stated that she was elected to make decisions, not to sit idly by performing minor administrative tasks.
“Tell me who your enemy is, and I’ll tell you what kind of work you’re doing. I will continue to lead, fulfilling my patriotic duty to the people of Costa Rica, regardless of who it bothers. (…) In my family, we have always been God-fearing people. I always receive the blessings of the people of Costa Rica, and I know that my purpose is far greater than that of anyone who wants to harm me, so I sleep like a baby, I work with all the energy in the world, and I will continue to fight those who, as we know, are bothered by my work,” Fernández said.
Just days shy of her first month in office, authorities at the Ministry of Justice are investigating an alleged threat against the president’s life.
The Ministry confirmed this in a brief statement.
“In response to repeated inquiries regarding reports circulating about an alleged plot to assassinate the President of the Republic, Laura Fernández Delgado, the Ministry of Justice and Peace has indeed received a report and will refrain from commenting on security matters, intelligence, or any potential investigations in this regard,” the Ministry stated.
Since taking office on May 8, Fernández has led an elite task force to address the crime and drug trafficking plaguing the country.
As part of these measures, Fernández announced restrictions on prison visits, the potential recording of meetings between maximum-security inmates and their families and lawyers, and sanctions against owners of illegal airstrips, among other actions.
She is also coordinating efforts with the judiciary and members of parliament to establish harsher prison sentences, including reforms to the Penal Code and the Law on the Execution of Sentences.
The news outlet Noticias Trivisión reported that a well-known drug trafficking gang is allegedly behind the threat originating from inside La Reforma, Costa Rica’s maximum security prison.
The individuals supposedly involved have been isolated, and the case remains under investigation.
The president stated in recent days that she will do everything possible to prevent criminal leaders in prison from continuing to issue orders.
“I will not allow high-level criminals from extremely dangerous gangs, behind bars, to continue directing other gang members on the outside. Who is relaying information and messages to the gang members on the outside? I don’t believe it’s telepathy. So, this needs to be thoroughly investigated. (…) Something is amiss; either they are communicating through visits or they have other means of communication. I have seen cases of people receiving up to 17 visits per week; that is absurd,” Fernández said.