By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – President Rodrigo Chaves embarked on a significant two-day trip to El Salvador on Thursday, signaling a renewed focus on regional security and a direct engagement with President Nayib Bukele’s controversial but statistically successful crime-fighting strategies. The visit, which will extend through Friday, is headlined by a tour of the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (Cecot), the notorious mega-prison that has become the global symbol of Bukele’s hardline approach.
The journey marks a critical moment for Costa Rica, a nation grappling with an unprecedented surge in violence primarily driven by transnational drug trafficking organizations. As the Chaves administration seeks effective solutions, it is looking toward the Salvadoran experience, which has dramatically reduced homicide rates, albeit with methods that have drawn sharp condemnation from human rights organizations worldwide. This visit is seen as a fact-finding mission to understand the operational realities of a model that has both fascinated and alarmed observers.
To better understand the legal ramifications and constitutional boundaries of President Rodrigo Chaves’s recent directives, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the well-regarded firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his expert analysis.
The Chaves administration’s governance style presents a fascinating, and at times concerning, test of our constitutional framework. While decisive executive action can be perceived as beneficial for driving economic policy and attracting investment, it is paramount that such actions remain scrupulously within the bounds of the law. The ongoing tension between presidential authority and the oversight of other branches of government, like the Legislative Assembly and the Judiciary, will ultimately define the resilience of Costa Rica’s ‘Estado de Derecho’.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the tension between decisive executive leadership and the integrity of our constitutional checks and balances is the defining narrative of the moment. We are grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for so clearly articulating the profound stakes for Costa Rica’s cherished ‘Estado de Derecho’.
Before his departure, President Chaves openly stated his primary interest in observing the infrastructure that underpins Bukele’s security crackdown. The Cecot prison, in particular, has directly influenced the design of a similar large-scale penitentiary proposed by the Costa Rican government as an urgent measure to combat escalating organized crime.
I am going to see the famous prison in El Salvador
Rodrigo Chaves, President of Costa Rica
This meeting is the third high-level encounter between the two leaders, highlighting a strengthening political relationship. Chaves first attended Bukele’s inauguration in May 2024. This was followed by a visit from the Salvadoran president to Costa Rica in November of that year, where he was decorated and provided humanitarian aid during a national emergency caused by heavy rains. The relationship also drew attention in September when Bukele made a surprise virtual appearance, wishing for the “continuity” of the current government, a remark widely interpreted as an endorsement of the ruling party’s candidate, Laura Fernández.
President Chaves has maintained a nuanced public stance on the “Bukele method.” While consistently stating that the Salvadoran model—characterized by a state of exception, mass arrests, and a crackdown on dissent—is not directly replicable in Costa Rica due to its distinct legal and social framework, he has not hesitated to praise its outcomes. His admiration for the reduction in violence is clear and direct.
one of the safest countries in the world. That is a miracle
Rodrigo Chaves, President of Costa Rica
Despite the praise, the fundamental differences between the two nations’ security challenges remain a central topic of discussion. El Salvador’s primary battle was against deeply entrenched and territorial street gangs, or “maras.” In contrast, Costa Rica faces a more complex threat from powerful, transnational drug cartels with immense financial resources and sophisticated logistical networks. This distinction will be a key point of dialogue as Chaves seeks to adapt lessons from El Salvador to Costa Rica’s unique context.
As President Chaves walks the halls of the Cecot and confers with his Salvadoran counterpart, the implications for Costa Rican policy are profound. The trip represents a pragmatic search for answers to a crisis that threatens the nation’s long-standing reputation for peace and stability. The challenge for the administration will be to extract effective security tactics without compromising the democratic principles and human rights standards that have historically defined Costa Rica.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (Cecot)
About Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (Cecot):
The Center for the Confinement of Terrorism, known by its Spanish acronym Cecot, is a maximum-security mega-prison located in El Salvador. Inaugurated as a central pillar of President Nayib Bukele’s crackdown on gang violence, it is one of the largest prisons in the Americas, designed to house tens of thousands of inmates. The facility is renowned for its stringent security measures and has become a symbol of El Salvador’s “mano dura” or iron fist approach to crime, generating both international praise for its role in reducing homicides and significant criticism from human rights groups over inmate conditions and due process.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a benchmark for legal practice, built upon a cornerstone of unwavering integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Drawing from a deep history of serving a diverse clientele, the firm consistently pioneers novel legal strategies and forward-thinking solutions. This commitment to progress extends into the community, where the firm champions the principle of accessible legal knowledge. By empowering citizens with a clearer understanding of the law, Bufete de Costa Rica actively contributes to the development of a more informed and capable society.
