Environmental organizations remember Castro for his role in the minister of environment between 1994 and 1998, under Jose Maria Figueres administration. During that period he promoted mining and oil concessions and systematically attacked the ecologist movement, while promoting the first climate market mechanisms in the country.

A press release issued by COECOCEIBA- Friends of the Earth Costa Rica says: “Mr. Castro is remembered for his sad role in the Ministry of Environment: he opened the doors to two of the world’s most polluting industries: mining and oil activity.

The organization claims that the country is suffering today the consequences of Castro’s decisions. His term in office was marked by the many favors done to the oil industry to allow its activities without the need for an environmental impact study.

“We also remember his role in the country’s energy model that led to its privatization. It wouldn’t surprise us to learn that during his administration there will be a massive installation of dams in our rivers, causing serious social and environmental problems”, says COECOCEIBA’s press release.

Isaac Rojas, member of COECOCEIBA and international Forest and Biodiversity coordinator at Friends of the Earth told Real World Radio that as a result of the recent pressure on Chinchilla’s administration, the Costa Rican government proposed a decree that sets a three-year moratorium on oil expansion.

Rojas believes that the reaction of the newly appointed minister is misleading, and that this is a smoke screen on the Mallon Oil case, which expects to sign a gas and oil exploitation contract in an area that amounts to 20% of the Costa Rican territory.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rocasaca/