I am writing this article in response to the blog post ("A scandal tarnishes Costa Rica's reputation for democratic stability," Dec. 1) published by Ms. Erika de la Garza from the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy. The post regarded a scandal, dubbed "el Cementazo," that has gripped Costa Rica's media and citizens' attention and politics over the past few months.

The matter involves a businessman who allegedly established ties to individuals in different branches of government in order to have them inappropriately change regulations that would allow him to import cement from China into the Costa Rican cement market, dominated by two global players.

Ms. De la Garza undoubtedly wrote her blog article out of a genuine concern for our country. However, despite the troubling revelations reported daily by the press, Costa Rica's democratic institutions are working as they are intended to work, and are collectively functioning in a manner any democrat would want them to function in a robust and strong democracy with a separation of powers, independent institutions and the rights afforded by due process.

The ongoing investigation will determine which individuals within the power structure were acting under a legitimate policy-driven intent to make the cement market more competitive by allowing any new competitors into a high-priced market (an additional unrelated cement player has since entered the market), and which individuals were acting under unethical motivations that led to illegal activities focused on a single business. This investigation is advancing without the participation of the implicated officials in the judicial branch. The Attorney General was suspended by the Supreme Court in October 2017 for three months while the investigation is ongoing, and he recently resigned.

The judge of the criminal chamber of the Supreme Court, whose name has been implicated in this case, was suspended by our same Supreme Court while he is under disciplinary investigation. He is now also being investigated by the new Attorney General for alleged criminal acts. The actions of the Attorney General have been swift and decisive in securing the necessary evidence to establish the facts and to eventually assign responsibilities in this case. She has been able to act with total independence and without interference from any branch of government. While the investigation is taking place, several of the central figures in the case are being held in pre-trial detention if they are deemed to pose a risk of flight or interference.

All this is happening in the context of Costa Rica's strong freedom of the press, an important characteristic of Costa Rica's democracy. In the recent 2017 ranking of 180 nations in the World Press Freedom Index, Costa Rica came in sixth place, surpassed only by Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and The Netherlands. Journalists can investigate and report on this case with total freedom, and without fear of persecution or retribution.

Regarding the possibility that the central figure in this case, the cement importer, may have directly or indirectly made financial donations to some political parties in anticipation of the upcoming presidential election is a possibility that will be addressed by an independent power: the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. The donor identity and amount of all donations to political parties must be declared to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. Not doing so is a crime. Given the high visibility of this case in Costa Rica's press and strong civil society, one can expect donations to political parties will be meticulously scrutinized for any signs of a connection to the central figure in this case.

Nobody can be happy with the purported actions of "bad apples" abusing the system. However, the reputation of, and confidence in, Costa Rica's institutions is not "hanging by a thread." The judicial branch is demonstrating its independence and ability to address alleged cases of individual misconduct under the bright light of a free press. Costa Rican democracy is demonstrating its resiliency and will emerge stronger from this.

Román Macaya is ambassador of Costa Rica to the United States.

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