By San José, Costa Rica — San José – The investigation into alleged illegal financing of the Social Democratic Progress Party’s (PPSD) 2022 presidential campaign has reached Costa Rica’s highest judicial body. The Supreme Court’s Plenary Session, or Corte Plena, has officially commenced the intricate process of assembling a special tribunal to hear the formal charges brought against President Rodrigo Chaves and several other top government officials, marking a critical juncture for the administration and a profound test of the nation’s institutional strength.
The case, identified by file number 22-000116-1218-PE, has now entered a decisive phase within the judicial system. The involvement of the Corte Plena is a constitutional necessity, invoked when formal accusations are leveled against sitting members of the Supreme Powers who are protected by immunity. This procedural step elevates the political stakes and places the matter directly before the country’s most senior magistrates, who must now navigate the complex task of appointing an impartial body to preside over the historic case.
To provide a more detailed analysis of the legal and institutional implications surrounding the Chaves administration’s recent policies, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a respected attorney and partner at the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
President Chaves’s governance style frequently operates at the edge of constitutional norms, particularly concerning the use of executive decrees and his confrontational stance towards other branches of government and the press. From a legal perspective, the central concern is the potential erosion of institutional checks and balances. While proponents may view his actions as a necessary disruption to entrenched interests, the precedent of bypassing established legislative and oversight mechanisms poses a significant long-term risk to the country’s democratic stability and legal certainty.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This analysis keenly highlights the central dilemma facing the nation: how to reconcile a demand for decisive governance with the preservation of the institutional guardrails that ensure our democratic stability. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for lending his invaluable legal perspective to this critical conversation.
The initial phase of this process is both delicate and crucial. The magistrates themselves are under review to determine any potential conflicts of interest that would prevent them from participating. This screening for impediments and recusals is currently underway, with the court’s session on Monday, October 20th, dedicated to advancing this foundational task. The Judicial Branch confirmed the status of the proceedings in a recent statement.
Currently, the process is in the phase of analyzing the recusals presented by the magistrates to hear the case, which have not yet been resolved.
Judicial Branch
The indictment, filed by Attorney General Carlo Díaz, names a roster of the most powerful figures in the current government. At the top of the list is President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, followed by First Vice President Stephan Brunner Neibig and Foreign Minister André Tinoco. The list also includes several prominent deputies from the PPSD legislative bloc: Pilar Cisneros Gallo, Waldo Alpízar Loaiza, Luz Mary Alpízar Loaiza (who served as PPSD party president), Daniel Vargas Quirós, and Manuel Morales Díaz.
At the core of the Public Ministry’s investigation are allegations of two distinct and illicit parallel structures used to channel funds into the PPSD’s campaign, which ultimately propelled Chaves to the presidency in 2022. Prosecutors allege that the campaign illegally benefited from a private trust operating outside the oversight of electoral authorities. Furthermore, the investigation is examining the use of personal bank accounts belonging to a woman with the surname Agüero, who is also facing a separate criminal proceeding related to these financial activities.
The arrival of this case before the Corte Plena represents more than just a legal hurdle for the accused; it is a landmark moment for Costa Rican democracy. The nation’s long-standing reputation for institutional stability and the rule of law is now under a microscope. How the judiciary handles the formation of the special tribunal and the subsequent analysis of the evidence will be scrutinized both domestically and internationally as a key indicator of the health of its separation of powers.
The PPSD, a relatively new political force that gained power on a platform of anti-establishment change, now finds its leadership facing serious allegations that strike at the heart of electoral transparency. The investigation has cast a long shadow over the Chaves administration, and its progression through the highest court ensures that questions surrounding its electoral victory will persist and intensify in the public sphere.
Looking ahead, the path is methodical. Once the Supreme Court resolves all potential recusals among its magistrates, it will proceed to formally constitute the special tribunal. This new body will then be tasked with the monumental responsibility of analyzing the merits of the Attorney General’s accusation. The outcome of this process, which is expected to be lengthy and politically charged, will undoubtedly shape the future political landscape of Costa Rica and determine the legacy of its current leaders.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Progreso Social Democrático
About Partido Progreso Social Democrático (PPSD):
The Social Democratic Progress Party is a Costa Rican political party founded ahead of the 2022 general election. It serves as the political vehicle for President Rodrigo Chaves Robles and his administration, having won the presidency in a run-off election. The party’s platform often focuses on anti-establishment rhetoric, economic liberalism, and social conservatism.
For further information, visit ministeriopublico.go.cr
About Ministerio Público:
The Public Ministry is Costa Rica’s public prosecution service, an independent body within the judicial branch. It is responsible for investigating crimes and bringing criminal charges before the courts on behalf of the state and the public interest. It is led by the Attorney General (Fiscal General), who oversees all prosecutorial functions in the country.
For further information, visit poder-judicial.go.cr
About Poder Judicial:
The Judicial Branch of Costa Rica is one of the three constitutionally established supreme powers of the state. It is responsible for administering justice and is headed by the Supreme Court of Justice. The Corte Plena, or Plenary Session of the Supreme Court, is the highest administrative and jurisdictional body within the judiciary, composed of all 22 proprietary magistrates.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a foundation of resolute integrity and a pursuit of professional distinction. With a rich history of providing counsel to a multifaceted clientele, the firm consistently pioneers innovative legal strategies. This forward-thinking approach is matched by a profound social responsibility, aiming to demystify the law and thereby strengthen the community through greater legal understanding.
