A document apparently found by the district attorney’s office in the office of the former general manager of Banco de Costa Rica Mario Barrenechea during the search that took place November 3, showed a graphic with a “strategic plan” to discredit and boycott Costa Rican newspaper Diario Extra.

This information was released today by Diario Extra and according to them the information was confirmed by the Public Ministry  Tuesday afternoon , “In relation to the request of information sent, the district attorney office confirmed that the image of the document sent by you through WhatsApp was indeed found in the office of Mr. Barrenechea in the Banco de Costa Rica”; the response sent to the daily went on to say they would not provide additional details about this document since it is part of the documents seized as evidence during the raids carried out last week.

The document supposedly shows the intentions of BCR management and businessman Juan Carlos Bolaños to discredit the newspaper through legal suits, public reports, and through the Costa Rica Journalists’ College, paid publications in other media outlets, among others; all these through the use of public funds.

The reason for this is apparently and according to Diario Extra’s version, the series of publications done by the news outlet since 2015 regarding irregular actions in the high spheres of the bank, particularly related to the import of cement from China, and the possible interests behind this business.

Iary Gómez, general manager of Grupo Extra commented:

“The same way we had the courage to face the high command of this bank and we have done so with other people and entities without being afraid of possible retaliation, we will continue to work to report anomalous situations that affect the country”, and she added “If this type of actions are planned from the high places of public entities, this is a blow not only to the media, but also to the democracy and the rule of law.”