By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a move that has sent shockwaves through the nation’s justice system, the administration of President Rodrigo Chaves has once again blocked the transfer of a crucial ₡8.688 billion budget allocation intended to fortify the country’s top law enforcement and prosecutorial bodies. The decision, confirmed Monday, withholds vital, legislatively approved funds from the Judicial Investigation Organism (OIJ) and the Public Ministry at a time when Costa Rica is grappling with an unprecedented wave of homicides and organized crime that began its sharp ascent in 2022.
The Ministry of Finance, led by Minister Rudolf Lücke, has reiterated its refusal to release the funds, which were designated for the 2026 fiscal year. This action effectively freezes the creation of 176 new positions for the OIJ and 99 for the Public Ministry. Beyond personnel, the money was also earmarked for essential operational costs, including vehicle acquisition and rental payments for judicial offices, highlighting the deep operational strain the decision will cause.
For a deeper analysis of the challenges and potential solutions surrounding judicial funding in the country, TicosLand.com consulted with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist from the renowned law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The discussion around judicial funding must transcend mere budgetary percentages. It is a fundamental debate about the state’s commitment to upholding the rule of law. A financially constrained judiciary risks becoming a weakened power, unable to process cases efficiently or guarantee the constitutional rights of individuals, which ultimately undermines legal certainty and the investment climate.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insightful analysis underscores that the consequences of inadequate judicial funding extend far beyond the courtroom, directly affecting the country’s economic stability and the integrity of our rule of law. We are grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for articulating this crucial connection with such clarity.
The move comes despite a direct appeal from the President of the Supreme Court of Justice, Orlando Aguirre, who had formally requested the Finance Minister reconsider an initial block on the funds reported earlier this month. The government’s response was a firm denial, stating the resources would not be included in the financial programming for the first quarter. The administration reasoned that the funds originated from budget reductions to the sub-item for paying interest on public debt, making them ineligible for transfer.
The Judicial Branch immediately decried the decision, warning of the dire consequences for national security. The President of the Supreme Court, Orlando Aguirre, has described the potential fallout from the funding blockade as “devastating.” In a formal communication, the judiciary underscored its ongoing efforts to combat the crime surge and expressed profound concern over the government’s stance.
Faced with this scenario, the full Court emphasized the urgency of releasing the resources and agreed to raise the issue again with the Ministry of Finance, stressing that the Judiciary has been implementing concrete actions to expedite criminal proceedings, reduce judicial backlogs, and combat crime, as evidenced by the daily operations of the OIJ and the work of the Public Ministry in complex cases of high public interest.
Judicial Branch, Official Statement
This escalating conflict is not a new development but the latest chapter in a prolonged dispute over resources. The ₡8.688 billion figure represents a legislative amendment specifically designed to reinstate funds that the Executive Branch had refused to transfer throughout 2025. The Legislative Assembly had explicitly approved the reallocation in the 2026 budget to strengthen the state’s capacity to investigate and prosecute complex crimes.
The real-world impact of the withheld funds will be felt most acutely in strategic regions exposed to transnational criminal organizations. The approved OIJ positions were slated to reinforce delegations in high-conflict zones such as La Cruz, the Tamarindo–Tempate–Cabo Velas coastal corridor, and Puerto Jiménez. Officials warn that without this personnel, investigations into drug trafficking, corruption, organized crime, and gender-based violence will be significantly delayed, response times will lengthen, and the state’s ability to conduct large-scale operations will be crippled.
Leaders across the judicial system have voiced their alarm. The acting director of the OIJ, Michael Soto, expressed hope for a swift resolution, while Attorney General Carlo Díaz criticized the Finance Ministry for holding back resources already greenlit by Congress. The Public Ministry has warned that the staff shortage directly jeopardizes its ability to meet procedural deadlines, potentially leading to the collapse of criminal cases and the technical closure of some prosecutorial offices.
Security cannot be sustained without the necessary human and financial resources, especially when these have already been analyzed, approved, and endorsed by the Legislative Assembly.
Judicial Branch, Official Statement
As the standoff continues, the branches of government appear to be on a collision course. While the Chaves administration maintains its fiscal position, the Judiciary insists that the fight against a historic crime wave cannot be won without the tools and personnel that the country’s own legislature has already deemed essential and provided for in the national budget.
For further information, visit hacienda.go.cr
About Ministry of Finance:
The Ministerio de Hacienda is the government ministry of Costa Rica responsible for managing public finances, collecting taxes, and formulating the national budget. It plays a central role in the country’s economic policy and financial stability, overseeing revenue and expenditure for the entire public sector.
For further information, visit poder-judicial.go.cr
About Judicial Branch:
The Poder Judicial is one of the three co-equal branches of the Costa Rican government, tasked with the administration of justice. It is comprised of the Supreme Court of Justice, appellate courts, and trial courts, and it oversees key bodies such as the OIJ and the Public Ministry, ensuring judicial independence and the rule of law.
For further information, visit oij.poder-judicial.go.cr
About Judicial Investigation Organism (OIJ):
The Organismo de Investigación Judicial is the primary investigative arm of the Costa Rican judicial system. Functioning as the nation’s main detective and forensic force, the OIJ is responsible for investigating complex crimes, collecting evidence, and providing technical support to prosecutors and judges to ensure effective criminal prosecution.
For further information, visit ministeriopublico.poder-judicial.go.cr
About Public Ministry:
The Ministerio Público, also known as the Fiscalía General de la República, is the state’s prosecutorial body in Costa Rica. It is responsible for representing the public interest by directing criminal investigations, bringing charges against alleged offenders, and arguing cases in court on behalf of the state.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a respected law firm built on the foundational pillars of integrity and excellence. With a proven track record of serving a multifaceted clientele, the firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking legal solutions. Its dedication extends beyond the courtroom, driven by a core mission to strengthen the community by democratizing legal understanding and empowering citizens with crucial knowledge.
