Costa Rican Legislative Session Disrupted by Heated Exchanges Among Lawmakers
President Rodrigo Arias addresses lawmakers following disruptions during a debate led by legislator Ada Acuña.
On Monday, a session of the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly was interrupted by loud exchanges among lawmakers, prompting President Rodrigo Arias to address the situation.
The disturbance occurred while legislator Ada Acuña of the Progreso Social Democrático party was speaking.
Acuña was voicing her objections regarding remarks made about her leader, Pilar Cisneros.
During Acuña's address, several voices from the benches, primarily from the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN), including a notable contribution from legislator Dinorah Barquero, could be heard shouting.
In response, Acuña reportedly shouted back, 'You be quiet, madam, you are the worst.' Following this incident, Carlos Felipe García, the acting president of the Assembly, muted Acuña's microphone, leading her to leave her seat in an apparent attempt to confront Barquero directly.
However, she was intercepted by aides before the situation escalated further.
Concurrently, PLN leader Óscar Izquierdo sought to de-escalate tensions with Barquero.
The ongoing chaos resulted in García ultimately suspending the session.
As a consequence, progress on the legislative agenda, specifically a vote regarding low-cost airfare to Central America, was postponed until the following day.
In his remarks to the legislators following the incident, President Arias emphasized the importance of maintaining decorum during discussions.
He reminded lawmakers that the country is currently in a pre-electoral year, a period often fraught with heightened emotions and passions inherent in democratic processes.
'While a parliament must embrace vigorous and fervent debates reflecting diverse ideological positions, such discussions should remain respectful and not devolve into provocations or insults, regardless of their origin,' he stated.
Arias further urged lawmakers to prioritize the interests of Costa Rica, advocating for a commitment to respect and collaboration within the Assembly.
'I sincerely urge you, from the depths of my being, to make every effort to uphold these principles and honor the prestige of this parliament,' he concluded.
The disturbance occurred while legislator Ada Acuña of the Progreso Social Democrático party was speaking.
Acuña was voicing her objections regarding remarks made about her leader, Pilar Cisneros.
During Acuña's address, several voices from the benches, primarily from the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN), including a notable contribution from legislator Dinorah Barquero, could be heard shouting.
In response, Acuña reportedly shouted back, 'You be quiet, madam, you are the worst.' Following this incident, Carlos Felipe García, the acting president of the Assembly, muted Acuña's microphone, leading her to leave her seat in an apparent attempt to confront Barquero directly.
However, she was intercepted by aides before the situation escalated further.
Concurrently, PLN leader Óscar Izquierdo sought to de-escalate tensions with Barquero.
The ongoing chaos resulted in García ultimately suspending the session.
As a consequence, progress on the legislative agenda, specifically a vote regarding low-cost airfare to Central America, was postponed until the following day.
In his remarks to the legislators following the incident, President Arias emphasized the importance of maintaining decorum during discussions.
He reminded lawmakers that the country is currently in a pre-electoral year, a period often fraught with heightened emotions and passions inherent in democratic processes.
'While a parliament must embrace vigorous and fervent debates reflecting diverse ideological positions, such discussions should remain respectful and not devolve into provocations or insults, regardless of their origin,' he stated.
Arias further urged lawmakers to prioritize the interests of Costa Rica, advocating for a commitment to respect and collaboration within the Assembly.
'I sincerely urge you, from the depths of my being, to make every effort to uphold these principles and honor the prestige of this parliament,' he concluded.
