An attempt by a group of 24 deputies to stop the entry into force of equal marriage generated insults and violence in the Costa Rican Congress, as well as a delay in the discussion of initiatives to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

The deputy of the National Liberation Party (PLN), David Gourzong, physically attacked legislative adviser Giancarlo Casasola in a congressional office on Tuesday, as reported by the affected party and his boss, deputy Gustavo Viales, also from the PLN.

Apparently the adviser made a comment in a private chat, which was later leaked, in which he insulted with the word "hps" (sons of bitches) a group of deputies who signed a motion to ask the Constitutional Chamber to postpone for 18 months the entry into force of the equal marriage scheduled for May 26.

Viales expressed this Wednesday his "most energetic rejection" of the aggression committed by the deputy Gourzong and assured that the PLN "will not allow any of its members to commit a manifestation of hatred, violence and aggression against another person."

In addition, Viales, who is also secretary general of the PLN, urged Gourzong to face "outside the party and his position" the criminal lawsuit that the adviser will file this Wednesday.

For his part, Gourzong has announced that he will not resign his position, which gives him immunity, and acknowledged in a statement that "it is human to be wrong" and apologized for what happened, since "neither verbal nor physical violence is the mechanism to resolve differences. "

The issue of equal marriage was resolved by the Constitutional Chamber when it gave 18 months of time to Congress to legislate on it or else the articles of the Family Code and other laws that prohibit this type of unions will be repealed.

The 18-month deadline is met on May 26, the date on which same-sex couples are expected to legally register their marriages.

During these 18 months, the deputies have not promoted any law and a group of 24 legislators is seeking a motion, which has not yet been voted, for the Constitutional Chamber to extend that term for another 18 months. Read more via La Estrella