Key facts
- Costa Rican President Laura Fernandez is in a standoff with the country's judiciary.
- The dispute involves proposed budget cuts to the judiciary and a legislative proposal to shift attorney general appointment power from the Supreme Court to Congress.
- Fernandez accused the judiciary of being infiltrated by organized crime and blocking her security policies.
- Judicial officials deny corruption allegations and argue budget cuts threaten democratic checks and balances.
- Security Minister Gerald Campos highlighted a low conviction rate for homicides as a key problem.
A significant institutional clash is unfolding in Costa Rica between President Laura Fernandez and the country's judiciary, hindering a unified response to escalating drug-related violence. The conflict, just two months into Fernandez's term, centers on proposed budget cuts to the judiciary and a legislative push to transfer the appointment of the attorney general from the Supreme Court to Congress.
Fernandez has accused the judiciary of being infiltrated by organized crime and obstructing her administration's security policies, which are reportedly inspired by El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele. Judicial officials have vehemently denied these corruption allegations, demanding evidence and asserting that the planned budget cuts for 2026 and 2027 threaten democratic checks and balances and undermine the fight against crime.
Security Minister Gerald Campos highlighted the low conviction rate for homicides as a critical issue, stating that only 38% of such cases result in a conviction. Experts and judicial authorities attribute the rising crime to drug trafficking organizations exploiting Costa Rica's strategic location as a transit corridor. Evelyn Villarreal, coordinator of the State of Justice report, emphasized that internal discord makes it difficult to effectively combat the well-resourced criminal element.
President Fernandez has publicly called for the resignations of Attorney General Carlo Diaz and several Supreme Court magistrates, citing a lack of progress on the security crisis, though none have stepped down. Patricia Solano, president of the country's top criminal court, rejected the government's claims, arguing that the administration is attempting to weaken a vital democratic institution. She noted a perceived "systematic attack against the judiciary" dating back to 2022 and pointed to a 36% increase in the prison population since 2020, with an incarceration rate of 366 per 100,000 inhabitants.