Jill Biden caps off goodwill tour in Costa Rica and has dinner with country's new president, Rodrigo Chaves, who was accused of sexual harassment when he worked at World Bank

Jill Biden arrived in Costa Rica on Saturday for the final leg of her Latin America goodwill tourShe had dinner with the country's new president Rodrigo ChavesChaves was accused of sexually harassing two women when he worked at the World Bank; he denied the chargesThe World Bank found, in a four-year investigation, the women weren't adequately protected and apologized to them 'Madame First Lady. What a great pleasure and honor,' he told Jill Biden upon meeting her 

Jill Biden arrived in Costa Rica on Saturday for the final leg of her Latin America goodwill tour which found her dining with the country’s new president Rodrigo Chaves.

Chaves was accused of sexually harassing two women when he worked at the World Bank ahead of his entry into politics. He denied the charges.

But a four-year investigation by the World Bank, released when Chaves was a candidate for president, found it failed to protect two young employees who filed sexual-harassment from him when he was a high-ranking bank official.

The probe found then-Bank President David Malpass and others didn’t adequately sanction Chaves, who was demoted but not fired over the allegations. The bank apologized to the two women.

Between 2009 and 2013, Chaves made unwelcome sexual advances and insinuations, according to the findings.

Chaves left the World Bank in 2019 to become Costa Rica’s minister of finance under then-President Carlos Alvarado Quesada.

He has been president of Costa Rica about 20 days, after winning a run off election to lead the country.

He and first lady Signe Zeicate, whom he married in 2015 after he and his first wife divorced in 1996, traveled to the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in San Jose to have dinner with Biden and U.S. Ambassador Cynthia Telles.

‘Madame First Lady. What a great pleasure and honor,’ he told Jill Biden upon meeting her.

He asked what he should call Biden and she said: ‘Jill.’

Jill Biden with new Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves

Costa Rican first lady Signe Zeicate, left, Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, center, and first lady Jill Biden pose for a photo at the U.S. Chief of Mission Residence

For the photo call, Chaves stood between his wife and Biden, in the doorway of the residence.

‘I’m a very lucky man,’ he said.

He told reporters that, at dinner, they would talk about the ‘more than 150 years of diplomatic relationships, how to bring our countries closer together. … And to welcome our very precious guest.’

Biden arrived in San Jose on Saturday afternoon, her last stop on a three country tour that included Ecuador and Panama.

She held an event with women business leaders at the ambassador’s residence ahead of her dinner with Chaves.

Jill Biden speaks with women business leaders at an event at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in San Jose, Costa Rica

Jill Biden was greeted by Costa Rica’s first lady Signe Zeikate upon her arrival San Jose

Jill Biden waves upon her arrival in Costa Rica

She praised the women for their work and said women deserve equal pay to men.

‘But when women get the opportunities that they deserve, when we pay them what their work is worth, there is no limit to what we can do,’ she told the 17 women in the audience.

‘When women earn money, they invested in their families. They become mentors and they help others to succeed as well,’ she added.

After her remarks she mingled with the women. One of them gave her a gray flower brooch she made. Biden had her pin it to her dress.

Biden will be in Costa Rica through Monday.