Costa Rican finance minister steps down amid fiscal reform push

Rocio Aguilar Minister of Finance speaks to the media after resigning from her position in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Costa Rican Finance Minister Rocio Aguilar resigned on Wednesday in the middle of a fiscal reform push aimed at avoiding problems with future debt payments, but which has been sharply criticized over austerity measures.

Aguilar, a 62-year-old lawyer, stepped down after being formally rebuked by the country’s comptroller, which called for Aguilar to be suspended from her post after accusing her of authorizing public debt payments last year without congressional approval.