Monday, June 12, President Luis Guillermo Solís asked the Minister of Public Works and Transport Carlos Villalta to resign as a result of a domestic violence complaint filed against Villalta, allegedly by his former wife; reported the government press office.

President Solís said to Villalta that, as a general principle, the government maintains absolute respect for laws against domestic violence, and that the administration could not risk being compromised in the midst of a conflict in this matter, which must be resolved by the corresponding courts, said the government.

Villalta said to President Solís that the tasks he performs as minister require absolute concentration, and thus agreed on the need to leave his position, in order not to compromise the intense public works and transport agenda that the government currently has underway.

Solís acknowledged the work carried out by Villalta and highlighted his high professional competence, management skills, vocational service to the country, perseverance, honesty and courage in assuming a portfolio as complex and strategic as that of his ministry.

“I thanked Don Carlos Villalta very much for the effort he has made to get a large amount of public works completed during the time he served in the position. He was an exemplary official who helped us very consistently and with great enthusiasm to achieve one of the main objectives of this government … to overcome the blocks that for so long have delayed public works projects, and in that sense I expressed gratitude,” said Solís.

Since starting in that position, in January 2016, Villalta managed to complete the repair of key bridges for the country, such as the Yolanda Oreamuno in Heredia and the Alfredo González Flores (the old “Platina” bridge). He also advanced the construction of the viaduct of route 257 that joins route 32 with the Moín Port Container Terminal; as well as the beginning of work on the bridge over the Virilla river in Lindora. In addition, 14 other bridges were completed throughout the country in that period.

In addition, Villalta leaves ready-to-be-inaugurated the road between Chilamate and Vuelta Kopper, and the start of the binational bridge over the river Sixaola on the border with Panama.

Costa Rican media reports said Villalta’s ex-wife filed the complaint on Sunday when apparently there was an argument between the two when Villalta dropped off the couple’s children’s at his ex-wife’s house.

 

The person who will replace engineer Villalta will be announced in due course.