by Rod Hughes

“I submit only to Costa Rican judges and not to some Mexican politician,” Costa Rica’s head prosecutor Francisco Dall’Anese saltily responded to recent criticism by the ex-head of Mexico’s National Action Party (PAN) Manuel Espino. The Mexican politico leveled a harsh attack against Dall’Anese’s prosecution of former presidents Rafael Angel Calderon and Miguel Angel Rodriguez.

The two ex-presidents are accused of what would be termed in other countries “influence peddling” in the granting of contracts with government agencies. The accusations against the two chief executives focused media attention on the country throughout the world.

“In these cases there were manipulated, irregular procedures with political intentions and…managed by someone,” said Espino, adding mysteriously, “I don’t want to say who I suspect.” He added his vote of confidence to Calderon and Rodriguez, implicated in the Social Security-Fischel and the ICE-Alcatel scandals, respectively.

Espino, now president of the Christian Democrat Organization of America, will be in the country next Friday to participate in a conference on the future of Cuba.