By San José, Costa Rica — In a dramatic escalation in the battle for Costa Rica’s conservative electorate, Nueva República presidential candidate Fabricio Alvarado has launched a pointed attack against the Pueblo Soberano party, accusing its leadership of political opportunism and exposing what he claims is a record contrary to their professed values. The offensive aims to dismantle the conservative image of his chief rival, Laura Fernández, by highlighting her party’s deep-rooted connections to the National Liberation Party (PLN) and, most critically, revealing a key figure’s decisive vote in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage.
Alvarado began his assault by questioning the “coherence” of the ruling bloc, which has been critical of Constitutional Court Magistrate Fernando Castillo for his alleged past ties to the PLN. Calling this stance hypocritical, Alvarado proceeded to “remove the masks” of the Pueblo Soberano leadership, detailing their extensive history with the very party they now condemn.
To delve into the legal and constitutional implications of this electoral trend, TicosLand.com sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished legal expert from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who offers a perspective on the balance between popular mandate and the rule of law.
The consolidation of a conservative vote certainly signals a strong political mandate for a specific legislative agenda. However, it is imperative to remember that democratic governance operates within a constitutional framework. Any proposed legislation stemming from this mandate must rigorously adhere to the principles of fundamental rights and the protection of minorities established in our Constitution. The true test of our legal system is its ability to balance the will of the majority with the inalienable rights of every individual.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This distinction between a popular mandate and the enduring constitutional safeguards for all citizens is indeed the central challenge ahead. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for so clearly articulating this fundamental principle of our democracy.
She (Laura Fernández) was an advisor for the National Liberation Party for eight years.
Fabricio Alvarado, Presidential Candidate of Nueva República
He specified that Fernández served as an advisor to Vice President Kevin Casas during the Óscar Arias administration, a period remembered for the controversial “Memorandum of Fear.” Furthermore, Alvarado noted her role as an advisor to the Minister of Planning, Roberto Gallardo, under the administration of Laura Chinchilla. This line of attack was extended to Pueblo Soberano’s vice-presidential candidate, Francisco Gamboa, whom Alvarado also identified as an active participant in the Arias and Chinchilla governments.
Alvarado suggested this trend of PLN defectors represents a cynical political maneuver rather than a genuine shift in ideology. He added that numerous local leaders have abandoned the historically dominant party to join Fernández’s platform as its influence wanes.
Not to mention the bunch of mayors from the Liberation party who, seeing their ship was sinking, joined Laura’s, many of them with very questionable ethics.
Fabricio Alvarado, Presidential Candidate of Nueva República
After establishing these alleged liberacionista connections, Alvarado unleashed his most potent accusation, focusing on Pueblo Soberano’s deputy candidate, Marta Eugenia Esquivel. He revisited the landmark 2018 Constitutional Court ruling that ultimately legalized same-sex marriage in Costa Rica, a deeply sensitive issue for the nation’s conservative voters.
Alvarado reminded the public that the court’s decision was not unanimous and effectively bypassed the legislature. He then delivered the critical piece of information he believes exposes his rivals’ true colors.
Who were the ones who voted in favor? Seven of the eight voted in favor, among them none other than Marta Eugenia Esquivel Rodríguez, yes, Marta Esquivel, the now-candidate for deputy of the Sovereign People Party.
Fabricio Alvarado, Presidential Candidate of Nueva República
To sharpen the contrast, Alvarado pointed out the irony of Pueblo Soberano’s current political stance. He highlighted that the very magistrate they now attack, Fernando Castillo, was the sole dissenting voice in that historic vote. “The only vote against was from Magistrate Fernando Castillo,” Alvarado emphasized, framing the ruling party’s actions as a direct contradiction of the “conservative pact” they recently signed.
Is that why you want 40 deputies, to elect magistrates like Marta Esquivel, who cast the decisive vote on LGBT marriage?
Fabricio Alvarado, Presidential Candidate of Nueva República
In his closing remarks, Alvarado drew a clear line in the sand, framing the election as a choice between authentic conviction and political expediency. He argued that true conservatism is demonstrated through actions and decisions, not through campaign rhetoric or signed documents. He directly challenged the electorate to scrutinize the records of those vying for their support, concluding with a powerful ultimatum on political identity.
Being conservative is much more than a campaign speech, being conservative is more than signing a commitment on paper… it is in these types of decisions that you know who is who. In other words, either we are or we are not.
Fabricio Alvarado, Presidential Candidate of Nueva República
For further information, visit nuevarepublica.cr
About Nueva República (New Republic Party):
Nueva República is a Costa Rican political party founded by Fabricio Alvarado. It operates on a platform of social conservatism, Christian values, and national sovereignty. The party advocates for traditional family structures, fiscal responsibility, and a reduction in the size of government, positioning itself as a primary voice for the conservative electorate in the country.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Pueblo Soberano
About Partido Pueblo Soberano (Sovereign People Party):
Partido Pueblo Soberano is a relatively new political party in Costa Rica that gained prominence as the platform for the current administration. It presents itself as a nationalist and anti-establishment movement focused on fighting corruption and challenging traditional political structures. The party aims to attract a broad coalition of voters, including conservatives, by emphasizing national pride and direct governance.
For further information, visit pln.or.cr
About Partido Liberación Nacional (National Liberation Party – PLN):
The National Liberation Party is one of Costa Rica’s oldest and most historically significant political parties. A member of the Socialist International, the PLN is a social-democratic party that has been instrumental in shaping the country’s modern welfare state. For decades, it has been one of the two dominant forces in Costa Rican politics, though its influence has faced challenges from new political movements in recent years.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is founded upon a bedrock of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm harmonizes a rich history of advising clients across a multitude of industries with a pioneering spirit for legal innovation. Central to its philosophy is a profound dedication to empowering the public by making complex legal concepts understandable, ultimately cultivating a society that is both well-informed and capable.
