On July 1, 2025, Costa Rica’s Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Sala IV) formally requested that the Legislative Assembly strip President Rodrigo Chaves Robles of his immunity, clearing the path for a criminal trial on corruption charges. This unprecedented judicial move springs from an April referral by the Attorney General’s Office, which alleges that Chaves’s administration orchestrated kickbacks to a close government ally using funds from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI).
Allegations Shake the Government
The Attorney General’s Office contends that a former presidential adviser received $32,000 in CABEI-backed contracts—payments now at the heart of the corruption probe. reuters.com Prosecutors argue these funds, intended for regional infrastructure and development projects, were unlawfully diverted to benefit private interests, a charge that strikes at Costa Rica’s reputation for clean governance.
Stripping Immunity: A Rare Constitutional Test
In an extraordinary session, the Sala IV justices unanimously recommended that both President Chaves and Culture Minister Jorge Rodriguez—who previously served as communications minister—stand trial in the same case. The court’s request to waive immunity is notably rare in a nation celebrated for its stable democratic traditions, signaling that even the highest offices are not beyond judicial oversight.
Political Chess: Opposition Controls Congress
The decision now rests with the 57-member National Assembly, where opposition lawmakers command a majority. Assembly deputies must debate and vote on the court’s recommendation—a process that could unfold over several weeks, injecting high drama into the corridors of power.
Potential Penalties and Denials
If convicted, both President Chaves and Minister Rodriguez face prison sentences ranging from two to eight years under Costa Rican law. Both have vehemently denied any wrongdoing: Chaves has branded the accusations as politically motivated, while Rodriguez insists his record of public service remains untarnished.
What Comes Next?
With immunity potentially lifted, prosecutors could formally indict the president and his minister, triggering a criminal trial that may dominate national headlines for months to come. International observers will be watching closely, as Costa Rica has long been viewed as a bastion of the Rule of Law in Latin America.
A Closer Look at President Chaves’s Rise and Record
Rodrigo Chaves Robles, a political outsider with a PhD in agricultural economics from Ohio State University, was elected president in April 2022 after campaigning on an anti-corruption platform. Before returning to Costa Rica, he spent nearly three decades at the World Bank, where he later faced—and denied—sexual harassment allegations, a controversy that followed him into politics. In office, he championed fiscal reforms and promised greater transparency, pledges now under the harsh glare of this legal storm.
The Broader Implications for Costa Rican Democracy
Costa Rica’s “pura vida” ethos—a celebration of peaceful stability and clean government—is being tested as never before. The court’s decisive action sends a clear message that no public official is immune from accountability, reinforcing the principle that democratic institutions must be robust enough to police themselves.
Expert Perspectives
Legal scholars note that lifting presidential immunity, while rare, is a critical mechanism to ensure equality before the law. reuters.com Political analysts warn that the trial could deepen polarization ahead of future elections, as supporters rally around Chaves, viewing him as a victim of partisan attacks, while critics see the process as overdue justice.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Historic Move: Stripping a sitting president of immunity would be a first in Costa Rican history.
- Assembly’s Role: The opposition-led legislature must now vote to lift immunity before any trial can proceed.
- High Stakes: Conviction carries prison terms of two to eight years, and a trial could reshape the political landscape ahead of the next general elections.
- International Watch: Global partners and investors will gauge Costa Rica’s adherence to the Rule of Law, affecting its reputation for stability.
Looking Ahead
As Costa Rica awaits the Assembly’s verdict, the nation stands at a crossroads: uphold its tradition of transparent governance or risk eroding public confidence in the very institutions that have long set it apart in the region. Regardless of the outcome, the case underscores a hard truth: even in paradise, no one is above the law.
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