Chinchilla’s press chief resigns

The head of Casa Presidencial’s press office, Mario Aguilar, resigned on Friday, Communications Minister Carlos Roverssi told The Tico Times.

Roverssi said the announcement took him by surprise.

“For me it’s surprising. Don Mario sent me a letter saying that for personal reasons he decided to return to the Legislative Assembly. Of course, I respect his decision,” Roverssi said.

Aguilar became head of President Laura Chinchilla’s press office in March 2012, following the departure of Emma Lizano. Before moving to Casa Presidencial, in the southeastern San José district of Zapote, Aguilar worked in the Assembly’s press office.

Roverssi moved to Casa Presidencial in June from the Foreign Ministry, after former Communications Minister Francisco Chacón resigned amid a scandal related to a presidential flight tied to a Colombian businessman with suspected drug cartel links.

Also on Friday, Roverssi fired two Casa Presidencial journalists, Carlos Mora and Tatiana Herrera. Aguilar said the firings contributed to his decision to leave.

“I didn’t agree with [the firings], especially in Herrera’s case, as [Roverssi] did it without consulting me,” Aguilar told The Tico Times.

Roverssi defended the move, saying, “I’m making personnel adjustments to build a team of people with whom I have always worked and whom I know well.”