The Foreign Ministry is “taking its time” to consider the Venezuelan government’s attention-getting appointment of a new ambassador to Costa Rica, Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno told Radio Monumental yesterday. The appointee is José Huerta, a former ambassador to Paraguay, where his assistant has filed a complaint of sexual harassment against him before that country’s Prosecutor’s Office.

Stagno yesterday said his ministry “knows about the behavior of Ambassador Huerta in Paraguay,” although he could not comment further because the matter is being handled diplomatically.

In May 2006, Huerta’s former secretary Marta Mancuello filed a complaint against him for allegedly sexually harassing her during the two and a half years she worked for him, according to the daily Al Día. Huerta made advances toward her physically, sent her love letters and romantic cell phone text messages, she told the daily. When she refused his advances, he fired her, she said.

Last month, the Venezuelan government announced its plans to name Huerta ambassador to Costa Rica and move the current Venezuelan Ambassador, Nora Uribe, to Paraguay.

Huerta’s appointment has not been accepted by the Foreign Ministry, which is taking its time to make a wise decision about the matter, Stagno said.

Chilly relations between Venezuela and Costa Rica made news recently after Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez announced plans to shut down the aluminum plant CVG Aluminios Nacionales S.A. (ALUNASA), which employees 400 Costa Ricans in the Pacific-slope town of Esparza, after President Oscar Arias criticized him on a radio show. Chávez later apparently changed his mind and said the plant will remain open (TT, March 2).

-Tico Times and ACAN-EFE