Q COSTARICA — At his traditional Wednesday press conference, President Rodrigo Chaves indicated that he does not plan to leave the country, despite having received “lucrative offers” to work abroad.
Chaves also announced the appointment of President-elect Laura Fernández to his cabinet, who will be the Ministra de la Presidencia (Chief of Staff) until May 8, when the roles will be reversed; that is Chaves, on May 8, will be the Ministro de la Presidencia in the new government of Laura Fernández.
The outgoing president also stated his desire to lead Costa Rica down the path of development.
“I have something very clear in my heart: obviously, Laura and I need to discuss the specific parameters of that appointment. She was (and now will be again) my subordinate, and now I would be her subordinate. (…) When I returned to Costa Rica, to politics, I said that I had left my roots here and that I wanted to leave my bones here. I was out of the country for 36 years. Many months ago, I began receiving offers from abroad that were very attractive in terms of salary and position, but I have commitments to my country, to my people, to my sense of purpose, which led me to reject those lucrative offers. Therefore, I will stay in Costa Rica until the day I die, and I will try to serve in the best position I can. I believe that being a minister is an interesting option,” Chaves said.
On Wednesday, Chaves said that naming Fernández as Minister—filling a role that’s been empty since she stepped down last January to run for president—is to push the political transition forward quickly during the last three months of this administration. More importantly, it’s about making sure no time is wasted and every minute counts for the benefit of Costa Rica.
The appointment is an unprecedented, unusual, and certainly striking event.