Laura Fernández inaugurates Quepos bridge and faces diplomatic criticism

Costa Rican President Laura Fernández has inaugurated a new bridge over the Naranjo River in Quepos, a project costing ¢466.5 million. During her visit, she also announced a ¢2.1 billion bidding process for a new aerodrome in Quepos to boost tourism and rural development. Additionally, the government is working on replacing the Savegre River bridge with an investment of ¢520 million and plans to begin dredging fishing channels in the Quepos estuary this November.

Separately, Fernández's administration is facing international scrutiny following the dismissal of former Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar. In a Panamanian media program, commentators criticized the President's handling of the dismissal and her public apologies to the United States Ambassador regarding her absence from a meeting convened by Donald Trump. Critics described the diplomatic situation as “vergonzoso” (shameful).