President Chinchilla appoints three new ministers

Costa Rica’s government confirmed Thursday the exit of Labor Minister Sandra Piszk and Housing Minister Irene Campos. Chinchilla also confirmed Pedro Castro as the new Minister of Public Works and Transport.

President Laura Chinchilla appointed Olman Segura as new Labor Minister, since Sandra Piszk resigned her post to be with her husband, Jaime Feinzaig, who was named the Costa Rican ambassador to Italy last August. Segura was the National Training Institute executive’s president.

Housing Minister Irene Campos also resigned her post but the reasons of her exit were not disclosed. Government officials confirmed that Guido Monge, son of former President Luis Alberto Monge (1982-1986), will take over the post.

Monge is a former lawmaker and ex-Housing Ministry vice minister and current board member of the National Housing Mortgage Bank.

Castro takes over for Luis Llach who left the role for health reasons. Llach replaced the ousted Francisco Jiménez, who was dismissed in May amid allegations of corruption.

While the other two ministers begin their roles immediately, Castro takes over the Public Works and Transport Ministry next Thursday.

In addition, the head of the National Women’s Institute, Maureen Clarke, was promoted into a Cabinet position.