Rodríguez opposes Argentina gas discounts; Costa Rica ex-president offers to waive legal costs

In Argentina, Alejandro “Topo” Rodríguez, director of the Instituto Consenso Federal, has criticized the national government's move to eliminate “Zona Fría” (Cold Zone) gas discounts. These discounts, established by Law 27.637 in 2021, apply to regions in provinces such as Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza, La Pampa, and San Luis based on bioenvironmental criteria. Rodríguez argues that removing these benefits threatens families in colder climates who require higher energy consumption for heating and health, labeling the move an attack on the working middle class.

In Costa Rica, former president Miguel Ángel Rodríguez has offered to waive his right to legal costs if the institutions appealing his acquittal in the INS-Reaseguros case withdraw their appeals. The 86-year-old former leader stated he seeks to end what he describes as “unjust persecution” and prevent the state from wasting further resources. The INS-Reaseguros case involves allegations of improper commissions and bribes from foreign reinsurance companies to public officials between 1998 and 2002.