Introduction
Civil society urges government to respect judicial independence
In October 2024, civil society organisations in Costa Rica raised alarm over what they describe as executive interference in the judiciary, following the Attorney General’s investigation into alleged corruption in the “Barrenador” case. The case concerns possible annual overpricing of 12.4 billion colones in ten-year contracts for 138 primary healthcare centres (Ebáis) operated under the Costa Rican Social Security Fund.
The organisations warned that the Executive’s reaction risks fuelling political polarisation, eroding public trust and undermining peaceful coexistence, stressing that any concerns over judicial conduct should be addressed through established legal channels.
During his administration, President Rodrigo Chaves has publicly lashed out at the judiciary, calling the Attorney General’s Office and the Supreme Court “judicial monarchies” and accusing them of fostering “arbitrariness” and “cover-ups.”
President announces possible referendum on key policy reforms
On 2nd May 2024, President Rodrigo Chaves Robles announced plans to put several controversial policy proposals to a national referendum. The measures under consideration include the sale of the state-owned Bank of Costa Rica, a “4×3” working week of four 12-hour days followed by three days off, reforms to the electricity market and the construction of a centralised government complex known as “Ciudad Gobierno.”
Chaves said that if the Legislative Assembly fails to advance bills proposed by his administration, he will invoke this constitutional mechanism to “let the people decide” on what he described as laws essential for the country’s future. The last national referendum took place in 2007.
According to experts, the announcement has intensified public debate over the role of referendums in Costa Rica’s political system, which is primarily representative. Under Article 105 of the Constitution and Law 8492, referendums are binding if turnout reaches 30 per cent of registered voters for ordinary laws, or 40 per cent for constitutional reforms or laws requiring a qualified majority.
Expression
Top officials mock journalists in televised briefing
On 11th September 2024, during the Presidency’s weekly press conference, journalists David Chavarría from college media radio platform Interferencia and David Bolaños from the fact-checking project Doble Check asked questions regarding the Gandoca-Manzanillo case and proposals for 12-hour working days. The President and participating ministers provided evasive responses. When the journalists attempted to ask follow-up questions, officials denied them the opportunity.
President Rodrigo Chaves subsequently referred to the journalists by name, ridiculed their interventions, and employed gestures to dismiss their participation. He further described their questions as “disorder” and implied they lacked the capacity to comprehend his explanations.
Security personnel surrounded the journalists, accompanied by senior government officials, while another audience member shouted at them. The official broadcast excluded the journalists’ objections and the intervention of security personnel, although external video recordings confirmed these events.
In response, on the following day, the Rectorate of the University of Costa Rica (UCR) issued a public statement of support for the journalists, describing the incident as “a shameful, inappropriate, and unacceptable situation for a President, but unfortunately increasingly common”. The Rectorate stressed that such practices deter political criticism and generate a hostile and divisive environment.
Judicial rulings on access to public information and protection of journalistic sources
On 14th June 2024, the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (Sala IV) condemned the Ministry of Public Education and the Costa Rican Social Security Fund for failing to provide information requested by the media outlet CRHoy.com within the legal timeframe. The Court found that this omission violated Article 30 of the Constitution, as well as international human rights obligations protecting the right of access to information.
On 5th September 2024, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) rejected a request from former legislator Dragos Dolanescu Valenciano for the names of journalists who had sought information from the Department of Political Party Financing in 2022. The Tribunal ruled that such data belonged to the private and professional sphere of journalists and classified it as sensitive information, protected under professional secrecy.
Association
Threats against lawmakers highlight dangers of polarising political discourse
On 21st October 2024, opposition congresswoman Andrea Álvarez received an email threatening a mass shooting at the Legislative Assembly and the targeted killing of specific lawmakers, echoing a wave of recent threats reported by other legislators and the Attorney General, Carlo Díaz. The threats arise in a climate of heightened polarisation marked by aggressive rhetoric from senior officials and public accusations against critics—including legislators from the Frente Amplio and Partido Liberación Nacional—and journalists.
In recent months, cabinet‑level communications have featured confrontational messages directed at Congress, prompting concerns about undue pressure on the legislature. Twenty deputies have since filed a criminal complaint against President Rodrigo Chaves for alleged public instigation and propaganda against the constitutional order.
Peaceful Assembly
Strike at the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS)
On 31st October 2024, over two thousand health workers at the Social Security Fund (CCSS) launched a nationwide 24-hour strike. Beginning at dawn and extending until the morning of the following day, the strike disrupted consultations, appointments, and surgeries, although emergency rooms remained open.
The strike, organised by trade unions, sought to demand solutions to lengthy waiting lists and the settlement of the State’s debt to the CCSS. Union leaders stressed that these actions were aimed at safeguarding universal health services for the population. Demonstrations were held in San José’s Central Park and near regional hospitals nationwide.
#UH. Huelga convocada por sindicatos de la CCSS suma a más de dos mil trabajadores.
— Semanario Universidad (@SemanarioU) October 31, 2024
La protesta se da en las inmediaciones de la Avenida Segunda por la deuda del Estado con la Caja, las listas de espera, el congelamiento salarial y por el sonado caso 'Barrenador', entre otros. pic.twitter.com/SIC6jjK4Zz
Teachers protest cuts to education budget
On 29th August 2024, thousands of teachers and students across the country staged a protest, demanding that the government reverse proposed education budget cuts and comply with the constitutional mandate allocating eight per cent of the national GDP to education.
Led by members of the National Association of Educators (ANDE), the Costa Rican Educators’ Union (SEC), and the Association of Secondary School Teachers (APSE), the march in San José began in Central Park and ended at the Ministry of Finance.
Union representatives underlined structural issues affecting education, including salary freezes, unpaid allocations to teachers, deteriorating infrastructure and the lack of basic supplies. Teachers from indigenous communities reported that schools often continue to operate only through local support, rather than through sufficient State resources.