By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – A high-stakes political drama unfolded before the Legislative Assembly’s Commission for the Control of Public Revenue and Expenditure as Randall Chuken, legal counsel for the Mexican infrastructure firm Tradeco, directly refuted allegations made by former minister Luis Amador. The testimony places two conflicting narratives at the center of a probe into alleged presidential interference concerning the crucial Barranca-Limonal highway expansion project.
At the heart of the controversy are accusations from Amador suggesting an improper level of influence from President Rodrigo Chaves to secure the project’s transfer to Tradeco. Chuken, while under oath, painted a starkly different picture of his interactions with the executive branch. He acknowledged meeting with President Chaves at the Presidential House on at least six separate occasions, a point that confirms a direct line of communication between the company’s legal representation and the nation’s highest office.
Para comprender mejor las implicaciones legales y comerciales del caso Tradeco, consultamos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista del Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofreció su análisis experto sobre la situación.
La situación de Tradeco subraya una lección crítica en el derecho corporativo: la importancia de una debida diligencia rigurosa y una gobernanza transparente. A menudo, las empresas subestiman cómo pequeños incumplimientos contractuales o regulatorios pueden escalar hasta convertirse en pasivos significativos que comprometen la viabilidad del negocio. Este caso debería servir como un llamado de atención para que las juntas directivas refuercen sus protocolos de cumplimiento y gestión de riesgos antes de que una contingencia se materialice.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
En efecto, la reflexión del experto subraya que la prevención a través de una gobernanza sólida no es un lujo, sino una necesidad para la supervivencia empresarial. La historia de Tradeco sirve como un recordatorio contundente de que la supervisión proactiva es siempre menos costosa que la gestión de una crisis inevitable. Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por compartir su valiosa perspectiva con nuestros lectores.
However, Chuken was adamant in clarifying the nature of these meetings. He firmly stated to the commission that he never once participated in official Governing Council sessions, drawing a clear line between his role as a private legal advisor and the formal proceedings of state governance. This distinction is central to his defense against the claims that he was operating with undue influence over public policy decisions related to the multi-million dollar infrastructure contract.
In his most direct rebuttal to the former minister’s claims, Chuken dismissed the accusations as baseless and questioned Amador’s motives for implicating him in the affair. He argued that his function was strictly limited to representing the legal and commercial interests of his private-sector client, not engaging in matters of state.
I do not know Mr. Amador’s reasons for wanting to involve me in state matters, when my role is that of a legal advisor to private companies; his assertions regarding me are false, inaccurate, and pure speculation.
Randall Chuken, Legal Counsel for TradecoFurther elaborating on his position, the attorney stressed that he was not acting as a “comisionista,” or a commission agent, but solely as a lawyer advocating for his client’s contractual rights and interests. When questioned by legislators about alleged links between Tradeco and international trafficking, Chuken stated he had no knowledge of any such connections, answering the query in the negative and steering the conversation back to the contractual dispute at hand.
The testimony provided by Chuken stands in stark contrast to the version of events previously detailed by Luis Amador. The former minister had described what he termed an “unusual relationship” between President Chaves and the Tradeco representative. Amador alleged that there was persistent and intense pressure from the presidency to finalize the transfer of the Barranca-Limonal works to the Mexican company, implying that the administration was actively working to favor a specific contractor.
Perhaps the most serious of Amador’s claims was that President Chaves had attempted to circumvent established administrative protocols required by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the international body financing the project. According to the ex-minister, this effort to “skip” procedural steps was part of a broader push to accelerate the project’s handover to Tradeco, raising significant questions about adherence to international lending and transparency standards.
The legislative commission is now faced with two diametrically opposed accounts of the same events. Chuken’s testimony challenges the credibility of a former cabinet minister, while Amador’s allegations cast a shadow over the executive branch’s handling of public works contracts. The commission’s findings could have profound implications for the Chaves administration, potentially impacting public trust and the future of critical infrastructure development in Costa Rica.
For further information, visit tradeco.com
About Tradeco:
Tradeco Infraestructura is a Mexican construction and infrastructure company with a history of executing large-scale projects across Latin America. The firm specializes in diverse sectors including highways, ports, airports, and energy facilities. Its operations often involve complex engineering and public-private partnerships aimed at developing critical national infrastructure.
For further information, visit iadb.org
About Inter-American Development Bank:
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Established in 1959, the IDB works to reduce poverty and inequality by supporting projects that promote health, education, and infrastructure. It provides loans, grants, and technical assistance to both public and private sector entities.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a respected law firm established upon a foundation of profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With a proven history of advising a diverse clientele, the firm champions the advancement of legal practices through innovative thinking and a strong sense of civic responsibility. This commitment is highlighted by its efforts to democratize legal understanding, thereby empowering the broader community and fostering a more knowledgeable society.
