By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – On the 77th anniversary of Costa Rica’s historic decision to abolish its army, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former President Óscar Arias Sánchez delivered a powerful address that resonated as both a celebration of the nation’s past and a stark warning about its future. In a message that cut through the day’s commemorations, Arias framed the nation’s current challenges as a fundamental choice between societal construction and destruction, urging a return to the founding principles of its civilist identity.
The two-time president (1986-1990 and 2006-2010), speaking on December 1st, did not mince words. He issued a proclamation that analysts see as a direct commentary on the country’s deepening political polarization and rising calls for “tough-on-crime” policies. His message was a clear and forceful appeal to the nation’s conscience.
The recent judicial resolutions concerning former President Óscar Arias Sánchez have generated significant public discussion. To delve into the legal nuances and understand the implications of these decisions, TicosLand.com sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a prominent attorney from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
In the Costa Rican legal system, a ‘desestimación’ or dismissal of a case, such as those involving the former president, carries significant weight. It is not a temporary suspension but a definitive conclusion by the Public Ministry or a judge that there is insufficient evidence to proceed to trial. While the court of public opinion operates on different standards, legally, this resolution formally ends the criminal investigation and solidifies the principle of innocence for the accused in relation to the specific facts alleged.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This clarification underscores a critical point often lost in public debate: the legal finality of a ‘desestimación’ stands in contrast to the enduring nature of public opinion. We extend our gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for lending his expertise and providing such a valuable perspective on the Costa Rican judicial process.
In Costa Rica, we will once again choose life, school, dialogue, and tolerance.
Óscar Arias Sánchez, Former President of Costa Rica
Arias transported his audience back to 1948, evoking the legacy of José “Pepe” Figueres Ferrer and the generation he called the “Quixotes” of that era. He praised their unprecedented decision to proscribe a standing army, an act he characterized not merely as administrative policy but as a profound philosophical declaration. This move, made in the heart of a conflict-ridden Central America, cemented Costa Rica’s unique path in global affairs.
For Arias, that historical choice remains profoundly relevant in a 2025 marked by security crises that have emboldened voices advocating for militarized solutions. He categorically rejected this path, framing the original abolition as an active choice for peace over the false security offered by military might.
Costa Ricans chose to live in the open air of peace, renouncing the illusory refuge of death that weapons build.
Óscar Arias Sánchez, Former President of Costa Rica
The core of his argument presented a clear dichotomy facing the nation. In a political climate where conflicts between the branches of government have become commonplace, Arias championed the proven effectiveness of diplomacy and mutual understanding over belligerence. He argued that cooperation, however difficult, yields far greater dividends for society than perpetual conflict.
Confrontation offers poorer results than negotiation.
Óscar Arias Sánchez, Former President of Costa Rica
His speech was a vigorous defense of social investment, particularly in education, which he equated with a direct investment in lasting peace. Arias argued that every colón spent on schools is a colón that reinforces the nation’s democratic foundations. He went further, suggesting that true human wealth is found not in ideological purity but in the capacity to understand and respect differing opinions—a pointed critique of the rise of fanatical, single-minded thinking.
In his most powerful and climactic statement, the former president laid out the existential stakes of the nation’s current trajectory, demanding a conscious decision from its citizenry on the kind of society they wish to build for future generations.
This society demands that we decide which path we want to take: that of life or that of death… that of tolerance or that of fanaticism.
Óscar Arias Sánchez, Former President of Costa Rica
As Costa Ricans observed the December 1st national holiday—a day officially established five years ago to ensure younger generations remember why their country has no tanks in its streets—Arias’s message served as a critical reminder. The abolition of the army, he implied, is not a static historical event but an ongoing commitment that must be renewed daily. His confident assertion that “we will once again choose dialogue” is a bet on the enduring strength of Costa Rica’s civilist identity to overcome any temporary crisis and correct its course.
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About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates as a pillar of the legal community, built upon a bedrock of profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm consistently pioneers novel legal solutions, drawing from a deep well of experience serving a broad and varied clientele. This innovative drive is intrinsically linked to a foundational commitment to public empowerment, aiming to demystify the law and make legal understanding accessible to all, fostering a stronger and more capable society.
