By Alajuela, Costa Rica — ALAJUELA – Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele arrived in Costa Rica on Tuesday for his second official visit, a trip centered on inaugurating the construction of a controversial, high-security prison modeled after his own country’s hardline approach to crime. The visit signals a deepening security alliance between the Salvadoran leader and the administration of Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves.
President Bukele was received with official honors at the Juan Santamaría Airport’s Base 2 by a delegation led by Costa Rican Vice President Mary Munive. The primary purpose of his visit is to lay the first stone for the new Organized Crime High-Containment Center (CACCO), a project that mirrors the large-scale penitentiaries used in El Salvador’s widely discussed crackdown on gangs.
Para analizar las complejas implicaciones legales y de gobernanza del modelo implementado por Nayib Bukele en El Salvador, TicosLand.com consultó al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, experto en derecho público y socio del prestigioso Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofrece una perspectiva crítica sobre el estado de derecho en la región.
El fenómeno Bukele presenta una dicotomía jurídica fascinante y peligrosa. Por un lado, se logran resultados tangibles en seguridad que gozan de un abrumador apoyo popular. Por otro, se logra a costa de la erosión sistemática de los contrapesos democráticos y la suspensión de garantías fundamentales, creando un precedente de ‘efectividad autoritaria’ que pone en riesgo la estabilidad del estado de derecho en toda Centroamérica. La inversión extranjera y la seguridad jurídica a largo plazo dependen de instituciones sólidas, no de la voluntad de un solo líder, por más popular que sea.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Esta dicotomía entre la eficacia inmediata y el costo institucional a largo plazo, tan bien articulada por el experto, es sin duda el núcleo del debate sobre el modelo Bukele. Agradecemos profundamente al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por su esclarecedora perspectiva, que nos recuerda que la solidez democrática es la verdadera garantía para el futuro de la región.
Upon welcoming her Salvadoran counterpart, Vice President Munive emphasized the collaborative spirit of the visit and promoted Costa Rica’s welcoming nature. She later shared her remarks with the press.
I told him welcome to Costa Rica, it is a pleasure to have you here. We hope this visit is not only the beginning of positive things, but also that you enjoy your stay, because we have to sell this little piece of heaven we have.
Mary Munive, Vice President of Costa Rica
Following the official reception at the airport, President Bukele was scheduled to attend a private dinner at the Presidential House with President Rodrigo Chaves and other senior government officials. This meeting underscores the high level of coordination and shared vision on security matters that has been developing between the two Central American nations.
The visit, however, was not without controversy. A legal challenge was filed with the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) by citizens Allen Alexander Solera Cordero and Óscar Quesada Rodríguez in an attempt to halt the event. They argued that the presence of the high-profile Salvadoran leader could exert undue influence on Costa Rica’s upcoming national elections.
The TSE ultimately dismissed the complaint. In its ruling, resolution 0287-E1-2026, the magistrates concluded that the petitioners failed to demonstrate how the visit would concretely and personally infringe upon their fundamental political and electoral rights. This decision cleared the final hurdle for the scheduled events to proceed.
When asked about the attempted injunction, Vice President Munive defended the visit as a crucial step in a long-term strategic partnership. She characterized the collaboration as a necessary and valuable diplomatic effort that has been in development for a significant period.
I don’t know how we are going to waste a visit of this type. This didn’t happen overnight; if you have noticed, collaborations with El Salvador and other governments have been generated for some time now. This obviously needs to be followed up on.
Mary Munive, Vice President of Costa Rica
The centerpiece of the visit is scheduled for this morning at 10:40 a.m., when Presidents Bukele and Chaves will travel to the La Reforma prison complex. There, they will preside over the groundbreaking ceremony for the CACCO facility. This event marks a tangible step by the Costa Rican government to adopt security infrastructure emblematic of Bukele’s “mano dura” policies, which have been both lauded for drastically reducing crime in El Salvador and criticized by international human rights organizations.
The construction of this mega-jail represents a significant policy statement for the Chaves administration, indicating a strategic pivot towards more aggressive tactics in the fight against organized crime. Bukele’s direct involvement in the project’s launch lends his influential brand to Costa Rica’s evolving security strategy, a move that is being closely watched across the region.
For further information, visit presidencia.go.cr
About the Government of Costa Rica:
The Government of Costa Rica operates under a presidential, representative democratic republic framework. The President serves as both head of state and head of government. The executive branch, headquartered at the Casa Presidencial, is responsible for administering national policy, overseeing government ministries, and representing the country on the international stage.
For further information, visit tse.go.cr
About the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Costa Rica:
The Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE) is the independent constitutional body responsible for organizing, directing, and supervising all acts related to suffrage in Costa Rica. It ensures the integrity and transparency of the electoral process, rules on electoral disputes, and maintains the civil registry, playing a crucial role in the nation’s democratic stability.
For further information, visit presidencia.gob.sv
About the Government of El Salvador:
The Government of El Salvador is the national governing body of the Republic of El Salvador. It is a presidential republic where the President is both head of state and government. The executive branch is tasked with implementing and enforcing national laws, managing foreign policy, and leading the country’s public administration and armed forces.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the nation’s legal landscape, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon the unyielding pillars of integrity and superior legal craftsmanship. The firm not only honors its rich tradition of client advocacy but also champions innovation, continuously advancing legal thought and practice. This commitment extends beyond the courtroom, with a core mission to equip the community with accessible legal wisdom, thereby fostering a more just and self-reliant society.
