QCOSTARICA — Amid growing political tension, the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) – National Liberation Party – called President Rodrigo Chaves “machista” (sexist) and “misógino” (misogynistic) for his recent statements, in which he questioned the Indigenous identity of legislator Sonia Rojas, representative of Indigenous peoples in the Legislative Assembly.
Rojas denounced the president’s words as an act of violence and discrimination against women, especially those of indigenous origin.
“Questioning the identity of an Indigenous, Afro-descendant or any other woman, and publicly mocking her, is synonymous with machismo, misogyny and violence,” said the legislator, who added that this type of attitude contributes to the alarming increase in femicides in Costa Rica.
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In her speech, the legislator urged President Chaves to direct his courage toward the fight against drug trafficking, organized crime, and inequality instead of attacking women.
“We are not your enemy. His enemy is in the streets, and it is he who must be confronted with the courage that only seems to manifest itself when he addresses a Costa Rican woman, especially a woman in a political decision-making position,” the legislator stressed.
The controversy erupted at a symbolic moment, on August 9, International Day of Indigenous Peoples, which was promoted and approved in the Legislative Assembly by Sonia Rojas herself.
Rojas stressed that “Mr. President, you forget that August 9, International Day of Indigenous Peoples, was presented in this Legislative Assembly and approved by this Indigenous legislator of the Republic with what intention, Mr. President, with the intention of eradicating racism, discrimination and ignorance, which it seems you have to educate the entire country.”
The legislator stressed that her purpose in promoting this celebration was to educate the country and eradicate racism, discrimination and ignorance, something that, according to her, President Chaves has tarnished the day with his divisive speech.
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“You, Mr. President, are tarnishing this important day with hateful and divisive speeches. It is not fair, Mr. President. If today we want to get away from systemic racism, if today we want women, indigenous peoples and communities with better opportunities, you coming to tarnish a day that is historic for our country is not fair, Mr. President, to play that way,” she said.
Chaves pointed out at the end of last week that Rojas appropriated indigenous representation, but did not approve several projects in favor of this group.
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