New Sexual Abuse Charges Filed Against Former Minister Mauricio Batalla
The Public Ministry opens a new investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving two women connected to previous accusations.
The former Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mauricio Batalla, is facing renewed scrutiny as the Public Ministry of Costa Rica has confirmed the opening of a new investigation against him for alleged sexual abuse involving two women.
This announcement follows earlier allegations made against Batalla, which surfaced in October 2022 when a former employee of his restaurant accused him of sexual misconduct.
In the earlier case, Batalla reportedly reached an agreement with the accuser and paid ₡3 million to have the case archived, leading to a formal dismissal by the courts without a trial.
However, the recent development reveals that the two new alleged victims are witnesses from the previous case, prompting the Public Ministry to act.
On March 27, 2025, the Gender Prosecutor's Office confirmed it had opened the new case, designated as 25-000239-0994. This inquiry is distinct from the previous one, which is now officially closed.
The nature of the allegations has led the prosecutor’s office to limit public information to avoid re-victimization.
Sofía Guillén, a deputy from the Frente Amplio party, expressed her outrage during a legislative assembly session, stating that she found the allegations against Batalla to be shocking and unacceptable.
She criticized the current government and suggested that the presence of individuals with such serious allegations undermines public trust.
Guilty or innocent, Batalla has made headlines for resigning from politics shortly before the new details of the allegations were due to be released.
He described the accusations as stemming from events in his past, stating on social media that he did not wish for his past to be used against political movements to which he is aligned.
The original accusations, which led to the earlier investigation, cited three incidents of sexual misconduct that reportedly took place in 2019 at Batalla's family-owned restaurant in San Pedro de Montes de Oca.
In her accounts to prosecutors, the former employee recounted instances of improper sexual advances, which she stated culminated in a series of unwanted physical interactions.
Batalla is also accused of making sexually suggestive comments and propositions, allegedly offering money in exchange for sexual favors.
Several other individuals have come forward as witnesses in the case, including family members of the accusers and former colleagues of Batalla, with additional claims of harassment corroborating the allegations.
This includes several first-hand accounts of inappropriate behavior, contributing to the depth of the accusations against him.
None of the allegations have yet been adjudicated in court following Batalla's earlier agreement with the first complainant, resulting in a legal dismissal of her claim.
As the legal proceedings continue, the implications of these allegations remain significant within the political landscape of Costa Rica, particularly for those associated with Batalla’s political aspirations within the governing party structure.
This announcement follows earlier allegations made against Batalla, which surfaced in October 2022 when a former employee of his restaurant accused him of sexual misconduct.
In the earlier case, Batalla reportedly reached an agreement with the accuser and paid ₡3 million to have the case archived, leading to a formal dismissal by the courts without a trial.
However, the recent development reveals that the two new alleged victims are witnesses from the previous case, prompting the Public Ministry to act.
On March 27, 2025, the Gender Prosecutor's Office confirmed it had opened the new case, designated as 25-000239-0994. This inquiry is distinct from the previous one, which is now officially closed.
The nature of the allegations has led the prosecutor’s office to limit public information to avoid re-victimization.
Sofía Guillén, a deputy from the Frente Amplio party, expressed her outrage during a legislative assembly session, stating that she found the allegations against Batalla to be shocking and unacceptable.
She criticized the current government and suggested that the presence of individuals with such serious allegations undermines public trust.
Guilty or innocent, Batalla has made headlines for resigning from politics shortly before the new details of the allegations were due to be released.
He described the accusations as stemming from events in his past, stating on social media that he did not wish for his past to be used against political movements to which he is aligned.
The original accusations, which led to the earlier investigation, cited three incidents of sexual misconduct that reportedly took place in 2019 at Batalla's family-owned restaurant in San Pedro de Montes de Oca.
In her accounts to prosecutors, the former employee recounted instances of improper sexual advances, which she stated culminated in a series of unwanted physical interactions.
Batalla is also accused of making sexually suggestive comments and propositions, allegedly offering money in exchange for sexual favors.
Several other individuals have come forward as witnesses in the case, including family members of the accusers and former colleagues of Batalla, with additional claims of harassment corroborating the allegations.
This includes several first-hand accounts of inappropriate behavior, contributing to the depth of the accusations against him.
None of the allegations have yet been adjudicated in court following Batalla's earlier agreement with the first complainant, resulting in a legal dismissal of her claim.
As the legal proceedings continue, the implications of these allegations remain significant within the political landscape of Costa Rica, particularly for those associated with Batalla’s political aspirations within the governing party structure.
