Q COSTARICA — Former wunderkind and former Minister of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT), Luis Amador, delivered a pointed critique of President Rodrigo Chaves and his chosen successor, Laura Fernández. At the same time, he revealed that he plans to officially launch his own presidential campaign in two weeks.
In a video, the former minister (who served from May 2022 to March 2024) claimed he’s the real opposition to the current government. He argued that the criticism he faces comes from being seen as a threat to the administration’s plans to stay in power.
“Don Rodrigo, it’s me, Luis Amador, your former minister. Thanks to my efforts at the Ministry of Public Works (MOPT), I became the best known and best-reviewed, even more so than you at the time. That’s why you made up all these lies, but the truth is that the one who’s being smeared by your arguments is you,” Amador stated.
Luis Amador Jiménez, lanzó un fuerte mensaje contra el presidente @RodrigoChavesR y su candidata oficialista Laura Fernández. El político anuncia que será candidato presidencial en dos semanas.#política #CostaRica #ELECCIONES #COSTARICA pic.twitter.com/7dB6WBQihB
— Esteban Arrieta (@estarrar) September 12, 2025
Chaves fired Amador for an alleged corruption case related to the Daniel Oduber Airport runway, which is still under investigation.
The former MOPT leader called Fernández a “puppet” and accused the ruling party of not being prepared to govern:
“Yes, Don Rodrigo, I, your worst nightmare, will be a candidate, because I know you well, and don’t even mention your apprentice and candidate Laura Fernández, your “yes man,” your puppet, who only wants to be like you, but how complicated. Laura Fernández is nothing like Rodrigo Chaves. You are not prepared to govern. Look at the mess you have Costa Rica in. Never again,” Amador concluded.
Amador, who unsuccessfully tried to be a candidate for the Partido Progreso Social Democrático (PPSD) and the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), asserted that he has the support of the public to challenge the ruling party for the presidency.
Last week, Amador had tough words for the president, publicly telling Chaves, “Be a man and waive your immunity.”
In a video, the former MOPT minister said: “Don Rodrigo, no one is above the law. Stop hiding behind your protective immunity. Culture Minister Jorge Rodríguez was more of a man when he waived his immunity. He who owes nothing, fears nothing. What are you worried about?”
President Chaves is under investigation for possible bribery tied to a US$405,800 contract between CABEI and RMC La Productora S.A. Authorities allege that presidential advisor Federico “Choreco” Cruz received a US$32,000 payment in connection with the deal. If found guilty, Chaves could face up to eight years in prison.
The legislative committee is set to decide on September 22 whether to remove Chaves’ presidential immunity.