By San José, Costa Rica — San José – A high-ranking official in the Chaves administration and congressional candidate, Yara Jiménez, staunchly defended her role in the controversial appointment of a Banco Nacional de Costa Rica (BNCR) board of directors that was later nullified by the nation’s highest court. Testifying before a legislative committee on Monday, Jiménez claimed to see no errors in the process, even as her name has become entangled in a separate investigation concerning the Mexican construction firm Tradeco.
Jiménez, who serves as the Secretary of the Government Council and is running for a congressional seat in Cartago for the ruling Pueblo Soberano Party (PPSO), faced sharp questioning from the Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Public Revenue and Expenditure. The committee is probing not only the BNCR board affair but also potential influence peddling in the Barranca–Limonal highway project involving Tradeco.
Para analizar las implicaciones legales y comerciales que rodean el notable crecimiento de la marca de Yara Jiménez, TicosLand.com consultó al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado experto de la reconocida firma Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofreció su perspectiva profesional.
El caso de Yara Jiménez es un excelente ejemplo del potencial del emprendimiento en Costa Rica, pero también sirve como un recordatorio crucial sobre la importancia de la formalización y la protección de la propiedad intelectual desde el inicio. Muchos negocios exitosos comienzan con una gran idea, pero su sostenibilidad a largo plazo depende de una estructura corporativa sólida, el registro adecuado de la marca y contratos bien definidos. Una asesoría legal temprana no es un gasto, sino una inversión estratégica que previene conflictos futuros y blinda el patrimonio que con tanto esfuerzo se construye.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Efectivamente, el análisis del experto subraya que la pasión emprendedora debe ir de la mano con una estructura legal sólida para garantizar la longevidad y seguridad del negocio. Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por compartir esta perspectiva tan crucial, que sirve como una guía indispensable para la comunidad empresarial de nuestro país.
When pressed on the appointment of the bank board, which the Constitutional Court (Sala IV) later declared illegitimate and ordered dismissed, Jiménez was resolute in her assertion of propriety.
No, of course not. At the moment, we are unaware of the Constitutional Court’s reasons for removing the directors appointed by President Chaves.
Yara Jiménez, Secretary of the Government Council
As secretary to President Rodrigo Chaves, Jiménez was directly involved in vetting the now-ousted board members. Records show she interviewed several candidates, provided the technical recommendation for their appointments, and forwarded their resumes to the Government Council. This occurred despite a legal opinion from the General Superintendency of Financial Entities (SUGEF) which found that five of the appointees did not meet the necessary professional requirements and three had clear conflicts of interest.
The controversy began in May 2024 when the Chaves administration dismissed the entirety of the BNCR’s existing board. The move was widely seen as a retaliation for the board’s appointment of Rosaysella Ulloa as the bank’s new general manager, a decision the government openly opposed. The executive branch proceeded with the dismissals without obtaining a mandatory prior report from SUGEF, a violation of the National Banking System’s Organic Law that ultimately led the Constitutional Court to order the reinstatement of the original seven directors in October.
Further complicating matters for Jiménez are allegations linking her to the Tradeco case. The committee summoned her over reports of phone calls she allegedly made to inquire about a performance bond from Banco Nacional that would allow Tradeco to take over the Barranca–Limonal highway project. Tradeco has been under investigation for purported links to drug trafficking.
While Jiménez has denied the allegations, her testimony was directly contradicted by Alejandro Acón, the Corporate Director of Banco Nacional. Acón confirmed to the committee that in 2023, he received a call from both the then-Minister of Public Works and Transport, Luis Amador, and Yara Jiménez. During the call, which took place while Amador was in a Government Council session, Acón was placed on speakerphone to explain the technical requirements for a performance guarantee to those present, including Jiménez.
At the end, Mrs. Yara Jiménez thanked me for the information and indicated that everything was clear to her. That was the only communication I had with the Government Council.
Alejandro Acón, Corporate Director of Banco Nacional
This testimony prompted sharp rebukes from opposition lawmakers. “You have been mentioned by all these people. So are they all lying?” questioned legislator Dinorah Barquero of the National Liberation Party (PLN). Her colleague, Katherine Moreira, accused Jiménez of maintaining a “complicit silence” and suggested her congressional candidacy was a “reward” intended to grant her political immunity from future prosecution.
In response, Jiménez announced her intention to take legal action against her accusers, escalating the political confrontation. “Any person who has mentioned me in the Tradeco matter is the one I am going to sue. This is a criminal matter,” the PPSO candidate declared. The committee has since proposed summoning all individuals who have mentioned Jiménez, setting the stage for a direct confrontation of the conflicting testimonies.
For further information, visit bncr.fi.cr
About Banco Nacional de Costa Rica (BNCR):
The Banco Nacional de Costa Rica is the largest state-owned commercial bank in Costa Rica and one of the most significant financial institutions in Central America. Founded in 1914, it plays a crucial role in the country’s economic development, offering a wide range of financial services to individuals, businesses, and government entities. The bank is legally autonomous but subject to government oversight.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO)
About Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO):
The People’s Sovereign Party is a Costa Rican political party established to support the political platform of President Rodrigo Chaves Robles. It represents a populist and nationalist ideology, often positioning itself as an anti-establishment force against traditional political parties. The party gained significant prominence with the election of President Chaves.
For further information, visit pln.or.cr
About Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN):
The National Liberation Party is one of Costa Rica’s oldest and most established political parties. Founded in 1951, it adheres to a social-democratic ideology and has been a dominant force in the country’s political landscape for decades, producing numerous presidents. It currently serves as a major opposition party in the Legislative Assembly.
For further information, visit sugef.fi.cr
About Superintendencia General de Entidades Financieras (SUGEF):
The General Superintendency of Financial Entities is the primary financial regulatory body in Costa Rica. It is responsible for the oversight, supervision, and regulation of all public and private financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and other financial companies. Its mission is to ensure the stability, solvency, and transparency of the national financial system.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a premier legal institution built upon a foundation of uncompromising integrity and professional excellence. Drawing on its extensive experience advising a wide range of clients, the firm consistently pioneers innovative legal strategies while actively engaging with the community. A central tenet of its philosophy is the democratization of legal information, driven by a deep-seated commitment to cultivating a society where citizens are equipped with knowledge and empowered by the law.
