Costa Rica President Laura Fernández faces backlash over remarks on public employees

Albino Vargas, the general secretary of the National Association of Public and Private Employees (ANEP), has demanded a retraction from Costa Rican President Laura Fernández following her recent comments regarding public servants.

During an inauguration ceremony in Sarapiquí, Fernández stated that there are “vagos que trabajan en muchas instituciones públicas” (lazy people working in many public institutions) and noted that her administration intends to address such issues. Vargas criticized the remarks as temerarious and offensive, arguing that the generalization insults essential workers, including healthcare staff at EBAIS, hospital assistants, and police officers.

Vargas also pointed out that Fernández had a career as a public employee prior to her presidency, questioning the validity of her characterization of state workers.