Women’s Affairs Minister Resigns
President Abel Pacheco yesterday announced that Women’s Affairs Minister Esmeralda Britton had resigned from her post that morning.
(Click for more)

Conflict Resolution Center
Celebrates Anniversary
Alternative conflict-resolution advocates have 216 solid reasons to celebrate today.
(Click for more)

Police Capture Man Wanted
On Suspicion of Sexual Abuse
Police arrested a man yesterday who has had a warrant for his arrest since last October for allegedly sexually abusing a minor, the Public Security Ministry announced in a statement.
(Click for more)

Jazz Trio of the
San Diego State University
Trio is offering a master class, today and tomorrow at the School of Music of the University of Costa Rica. The Jazz Trio will perform a concert on Fri., June 25 at the Eugene O’Neill Theater in the Costa Rican-North American Cultural Center in Barrio Dent, and on Sat., June 26, at 8 p.m. at El Tirol Hotel in San Rafael de Heredia. Info: 207-7554, 207-7555.

Miravalles Quintet in Concert
Quintet performs at 8 p.m. at the National Theater, Av. 2, Ca. 3/5 n San José. Info: 221-3756.

Women’s Affairs Minister Resigns
By Fabián Borges
fborges@ticotimes.net

President Abel Pacheco yesterday announced that Women’s Affairs Minister Esmeralda Britton had resigned from her post that morning.

Pacheco said Britton’s resignation was voluntary and sparked by the discovery of financial anomalies in her official expenditures that were revealed last week during an internal audit of the National Women’s Institute (INAMU).

However, in her resignation letter, copies of which were handed out at the Cabinet meeting press conference, Britton wrote she was stepping down because she “had received a better opportunity in accord with her interests.”

The post of Women’s Affairs Minister is a Cabinet-level position awarded to the executive president of INAMU, an autonomous government institution (not a ministry of the Executive Branch).

Britton, who has served under Pacheco since he was sworn into office in May 2002, is the 10th minister to resign or be fired since the administration took office.

During the next month, while a replacement for Britton is sought, Cabinet Secretary Marta Lora will serve as temporary Women’s Affairs Minister and pro bono head of INAMU, Pacheco said.

The alleged anomalies cited in the internal audit are a series of small expenses that may not have been properly authorized, including lunches, dinners and flowers signed for by Britton as official expenses.

Pacheco said he met with Britton on Monday to discuss the results of the internal audit. The President says Britton denied any wrongdoing but sent her resignation letter Tuesday morning.

“We accept the resignation of Miss Esmeralda and thank her for her services,” Pacheco said. “This does not mean that the questions raised [about her expenditures] will not be investigated.

“I have insisted that we’re going to work with order and honesty, without wasteful spending,” he explained. “I would not like to believe Doña Esmeralda has committed any wrong. She is a person I care for, the daughter of friends of mine. But if there’s a problem, friendship doesn’t count. We’ll get to the bottom of things.”

Pacheco said it is up to INAMU and the Comptroller General’s Office to conduct the investigation into the expenditures. Since INAMU is an autonomous institution, the presidency cannot intervene, he said.

For her part, Britton, who made no reference to the alleged financial anomalies in her letter, said she is “highly satisfied” with her performance as minister.

“During these two years of service, by your side, I have had the opportunity to get closer to the reality that Costa Rican women live, to understand their lives through their own words,” Britton wrote. “It has also brought me the opportunity to fight for their rights and represent them nationally and internationally.”

The Tico Times repeatedly attempted to contact Britton on her cellular telephone and beeper to discuss her resignation. She did not return calls.

Return To Top Of Page