QCOSTARICA – The dissimilar versions between President Luis Guillermo Solís and Attorney General (Procuradora in Spanish) Ana Lorena Brenes, on the request for her to quit her post and in exchange for a diplomatic post, has left more questions than answers.
In the controversy we have President Solís, dodging the worst political storm of his 7 month term in office, caught in what some say in a “lie”, and Melvin Jiménez, ministro de la Presidencia (Cheif of Staff), balanced on a tightrope.
So far, the President has said he knew noting of the meeting between now former deputy ministro de la Presidencia, Daniel Soley and the Attorney General, rather that he was in China and learned of the matter through the media. Soley resigned his post last Saturday.
On the other hand, the Attorney General, in her version, says the offer made her by Soley was totally made with the support of Minister Jiménez, and with the awareness of the President.
Jiménez has refused to talk about the case, walking out during a press conference Tuesday, telling reporters questioning him on the matter that he would only give answers to legislators at the date and time set for his appearance before the Legislative Assembly.
In the Attorney General’s version to the press on Monday, she says she directly informed President Solís on the scope of her meeting when was already in the country. This means that Solís did not learn of the case in the press, as he claims.
Brenes said she had kept her silence based on the promise by the President to take action in the matter and is now fully prepared to make public the content on the meeting (between her and Soley) to a legislative commission.
The events of the coming days could see the departure of Jiménez. The opposition, not happy with the resignation of Soley, is demanding the President take drastic measures that could see the removal of his Chief of Staff. But, backroom politics could result in a negotiation between the government and legislators and the matter moves away from the public eye.
The request for Brenes to resign allegedly stems from a several reports adverse to the interests of the government by the Attorney General.
Among them are the issued by the Attorney General ‘s opposition to the lifting of a presidential veto, allowing ownership of a street in downtown San José for artisans. The Attorney General also questioned the legality of Jiménez as Ministro de la Presidencia, while maintaining the status of Lutheran bishop.
Brenes was appointed Procuradora general de la República by Solís’ predecessor, former President Laura Chinchilla Miranda (PLN party), and confirmed by the Legislative Assembly on October 19, 2010.
Sources of reference: Larepublica.net; nacion.com; crhoy.com
