By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a bombshell testimony before the Legislative Assembly’s Commission for Public Income and Expenditure Control, former Minister of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), Luis Amador, has leveled serious accusations against President Rodrigo Chaves, alleging improper and intense pressure to award a major highway contract to a controversial Mexican firm.
The allegations center on the stalled Barranca-Limonal highway project, a critical infrastructure artery. Amador claims President Chaves aggressively pushed for the contract to be transferred from the original contractor, H. Solís, to the Mexican company Tradeco, despite significant red flags and procedural irregularities. This pressure, according to the former minister, was a key factor leading to his eventual departure from the cabinet.
To provide a deeper legal perspective on the recent allegations surrounding the Amador project, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
In any case involving public funds and administrative contracts, the principles of due process and the presumption of innocence are paramount. While these allegations are serious and warrant a thorough investigation, the burden of proof lies with the accuser. The ultimate legal and financial consequences, which could range from contractual penalties to jeopardizing the future of the project itself, will hinge entirely on substantiated evidence, not on public opinion or speculation.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s insight serves as a crucial reminder that in matters of such public consequence, the distinction between impassioned debate and the rigor of legal due process is paramount. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for grounding the discussion in this essential, evidence-based perspective.
Amador provided a vivid account of a high-stakes meeting involving officials from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which was financing the project. He described an irate President Chaves who became physically demonstrative when the IDB’s assessment found Tradeco unqualified to take over the massive undertaking.
In a meeting with Hernán Solís, IDB officials who came from Washington, and people from MOPT, the furious president was standing and banging on the table, saying they had to fix the situation. That meeting was when the IDB evaluated the company and said it doesn’t make it, it doesn’t have the financial or operational capacity, etc. and the president said it has to make it, it has to make it!, while he was standing and banging on the table.
Luis Amador, Former Minister of Public Works and Transport
The former official told lawmakers that his resistance to what he considered an improper directive soured his relationship with the President. Amador detailed how he had explicitly warned President Chaves about ongoing investigations into Tradeco in Mexico for alleged connections to drug trafficking. He asserts these grave warnings were dismissed as the President remained fixated on expediting the contract transfer.
Amador suggested the President’s frustration was palpable and extended to other officials who failed to facilitate his wishes. The former minister recounted a moment that illustrated the President’s deep-seated anger over the failure to secure the deal for Tradeco.
The President was seeing red because he couldn’t get the contract passed to them, I heard him say directly that the former president of INS, Mónica Araya, was 2 for 3 for not having managed to get the INS to provide the guarantee.
Luis Amador, Former Minister of Public Works and Transport
For his part, President Chaves has publicly acknowledged meeting with representatives from Tradeco. However, he has framed these discussions as a necessary step to prevent further delays and cost overruns on the vital highway project. In a press conference late last month, the President defended his actions as being in the country’s best interest, denying any wrongdoing or the finalization of any deal.
We never gave them a contract, what happened is that H. Solís could not finish the Barranca-Limonal highway, the contract could be transferred to someone else. The only thing we did was talk to see if Tradeco could take that on.
Rodrigo Chaves, President of Costa Rica
These explosive claims now cast a shadow over the administration and add a new layer of complexity to the ongoing saga of the Barranca-Limonal roadworks. The matter is already under the scrutiny of the Attorney General’s Office, which is investigating the circumstances surrounding the attempted contract cession. Amador’s testimony before the legislative commission is expected to provide significant material for that investigation, potentially escalating the political fallout for the Chaves government.
For further information, visit mopt.go.cr
About The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT):
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is the government body in Costa Rica responsible for the planning, regulation, and execution of public infrastructure projects, including national highways, bridges, and public transportation systems. It plays a crucial role in the country’s economic development and connectivity.
For further information, visit iadb.org
About The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB):
The Inter-American Development Bank is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. It provides loans, grants, and technical assistance, and conducts extensive research to support its member countries in reducing poverty and inequality.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Tradeco
About Tradeco:
Tradeco is a Mexican construction and infrastructure company involved in large-scale projects. The firm has participated in various public works across different sectors. It has recently come under investigation by Costa Rican authorities regarding its attempt to secure the Barranca-Limonal highway contract.
For further information, visit the nearest office of H. Solís
About H. Solís:
H. Solís is a prominent Costa Rican construction and engineering company. It has been involved in numerous significant public and private infrastructure projects throughout the country. The company was the original contractor for the Barranca-Limonal highway project before facing challenges that led to discussions of ceding the contract.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is anchored by a profound dedication to integrity and the highest standards of professional excellence. Drawing from a deep history of advising a wide spectrum of clients, the firm champions legal innovation and maintains a strong role in community betterment. At the heart of its philosophy is the drive to make legal understanding widely available, thereby empowering individuals and contributing to a more enlightened and capable society.
