President Oscar Arias yesterday appointed a lawmaker and lifelong academic as public security minister, after Fernando Berrocal left that post over comments he made about Colombian rebels' ties to Costa Rica. 

The lawmaker, Janina del Vecchio from the National Liberation Party (PLN), will take office April 25. Vice President and Justice Minister Laura Chinchilla will serve as interim public security minister until then.   

Berrocal resigned under pressure Sunday, the day before he was to give a presentation in the Legislative Assembly about links between Costa Rican political sectors and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Arias' brother, Presidency Minister Rodrigo Arias, said the administration disagreed with Berrocal's statements and wanted to avoid politicizing the issue.

Oscar Arias praised Del Vecchio, a former math teacher, in a press conference last night announcing his decision.

“She has integrity, honesty, loyalty and a sense of responsibility,” he said. “She knows how to make decisions. In this ministry, one needs those characteristics.”