Legislators from four political parties criticized President Luis Guillermo Solis for downplaying the allegations regarding the Chinese cement case.
On Monday morning the president attacked the legislators who investigate if there was influence peddling in the $30 million loan granted to businessman Juan Carlos Bolaños to import cement from China.
Don Luis Guillermo this is not our hobby. In the midst of doubts, questions and lack of response, do you want us to be silent? You want us to smile at you, just as Ana Helena Chacón [Vicepresident] and Mariano Figueres [head of Intelligence] did today while you gave these statements?”
said Fabricio Alvarado, from National Restoration.
He added that those who criticize the cementazo do it in representation of the outrage of people before this conspicuous case of corruption on a large scale.
I do not know what the gentlemen and the Vice-President are laughing at. This is not to laugh at. We are talking about a lot of money that, in the end, all Costa Ricans will have to pay if this company (SINOCEM) does not repay the loan,”
pointed out Alvarado.
Legislator Sandra Piszk, from the National Liberation Party (PLN), described the statements of the president as disrespectful.
Totalitarian regimes are the ones that diminish and question the sanity and morals of those who investigate those in power.”
Mario Redondo, from the Christian Democrat Alliance (ADC), said that when a government attacks an investigation it is because something is fishy.
We are dealing with something big and it should not be toned down simply because you do not want to face it.”
Edgardo Araya, from Frente Amplio, said that
everything indicates that there are government officials involved and legislators who have some explaining to do,”
and added that the president should be prepared to fire and sanction officials.