Police arrest two key figures in Chinese cement case

The Costa Rican Prosecutor’s Office announced that it arrested “Chinese cement importer by the last name of Bolaños” just before 4 am Friday morning as he was driving his car in Atenas, Alajuela.

Juan Carlos Bolaños is the man at the center of the Chinese cement case, or Cementazo as it is popularly known, that has been unfolding in a Legislative Assembly investigative committee for months. Figures from all three branches of government and various political parties have been accused of using their position to advance Bolaños’ business interests.

The statement from the Judicial Branch announcing the arrest also indicated that former Banco de Costa Rica manager Mario Barrenechea was arrested at his home in Santa Ana.

Homes belonging to both men – Bolaños’ in Escazú and Atenas, and Barrenchea’s in Santa Ana – are being searched for “evidence that could allow the investigation of the case to move forward,” the statement said.

Read more about the Cementazo from our columnist Alvaro Murillo: how the case began, and how it has eroded public trust.