The Director of Intelligence and National Security of Costa Rica and his romantic partner, who happens to be the Vice Minister of Economy, reportedly held a meeting at a bar in the lovable city of San Jose.

According to a news report filed by investigative journalist Carlos Mora of online news daily CRHoy.com, Director Mariano Figueres and Vice Minister Geannina Dinarte arrived at Bar Buenos Aires, near the Santa Teresita Church in the northeastern edge of downtown San Jose, on a Wednesday night to conduct government business.

Per the report by Mr. Mora, who interviewed Director Figueres, the meeting started at 8:20 pm and adjourned 40 minutes later. Director Figueres is in charge of the Presidential Security Detail, which arrived with him in government car from the Presidential Office across town in Zapote.

There was a mysterious third person at the meeting; Director Figueres claims that the unidentified person was the one who suggested meeting at Bar Buenos Aires, and that Vice Minister Dinarte facilitated the introduction of this unknown.

Author’s Note: The bar in question shall not be confused with La Esquina de Buenos Aires, a tourist restaurant located behind La Soledad Church near Chinatown. Bar Buenos Aires is traditional Tico cantina located in Barrio Escalante, almost behind the Antigua Aduana (the old customs building). It can be considered a dive bar, yet it is safe, affordable, clean, and somewhat comfortable. It sometimes runs out of beer by 11 pm, and the food is marginal, but it is affable enough.

Director Figueres, who is the brother of former President Jose Figueres, also explained the official motive of this rendezvous, but his explanation was a bit murky and of a cloak-and-dagger nature:

“We were digging up some info that she [Vice Minister Dinarte] helped me get; setting up this [unidentified] contact to get information. It is normal that someone acts as an informant to supply us with information.”

Director Figueres, who is a personal friend of President Luis Guillermo Solis, added that setting up work meetings at bars is normal, that he could not explain this particular gathering because it was a matter of national security, that he had a soft drink along with the Vice Minister, that the mystery third person had a beer.

As reported by The Costa Rica Star last year, Director Figueres hinted that ISIS operatives may have entered our country, but later he clarified his statement along the lines of “I cannot confirm nor deny,” etc.

Vice Minister Dinarte and Director Figueres have a son together. Mr. Mora could not reach the Vice Minister for comments on the day after the meeting; she was not at her office and did not answer mobile or landline calls. She usually handles matters related to the development of small and medium business enterprises in Costa Rica.