Varela digs in on naming judges

President Juan Carlos Varela made it clear on Friday, June 29 that he will make the decision on the appointment of replacements for outgoing Supreme Court judges Jerónimo Mejía and Oydén Ortega, whose terms expired on December 31, 2017.

“At no time have I asked anybody for a short list”, said Varela, during an official act.

He said that it was up to the State Commission for Justice to evaluate the 20 candidates for the Court and to give their opinion and decide if they have the ability to exercise as magistrates.

“I have not asked anyone for a trio  … the one who sent a trio has the right, but I cannot say if it will be taken into account or not, because in the end, I have not asked for three …  and I am the president  “said Varela.

He insisted that nowhere has it been shown that the responsibility of the State Commission for Justice is to send a short list to the president. “That’s not in any law or regulation,” he said, adding that he would read the report delivered by the Commission to the deputy minister of the Presidency, Salvador Sánchez.

In the document, six lawyers are recommended to replace Mejía and Ortega.

The nominees were  Juan Francisco Castillo, María Eugenia López and

Luis Camargo for the First Civil Chamber, and Luis Mario Carrasco, María Luisa Vigil and Maruquel Castroverde for the Second Criminal Chamber.

Varela’s original choices were rejected by the National Assembly.