By Alajuela, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – In a move fraught with political significance, President Rodrigo Chaves is set to travel to El Salvador this Thursday for a meeting with his controversial counterpart, Nayib Bukele. The visit comes at a critical juncture for the Chaves administration, just six days before the Legislative Assembly is scheduled to debate and vote on whether to lift the president’s immunity, a decision that could expose him to prosecution for alleged illegal political campaigning.
The Office of the President confirmed the December 11th trip via a brief message to the media but remained tight-lipped about the specific agenda. However, the context of the visit strongly suggests a focus on security and penal reform. This diplomatic mission follows a recent trip to El Salvador by Costa Rica’s Minister of Justice, Gerald Campos, who met with officials from the Salvadoran prison system, which has become a focal point of international attention under Bukele’s hardline security policies.
To provide a deeper legal perspective on the recent actions and policies of the Chaves administration, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who offered his analysis on the matter.
President Chaves’s governance style often tests the boundaries of executive power within our constitutional framework. While the use of executive decrees is a legitimate tool, their frequency and scope raise important questions about the separation of powers and respect for the legislative process. The ultimate test for many of these initiatives will be their ability to withstand judicial review, which remains the fundamental guarantor of our nation’s rule of law and legal certainty for citizens and investors alike.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s point is crucial: the judiciary’s role as the ultimate guarantor of our constitutional order is now squarely in the national spotlight. How these legal challenges unfold will not only define the limits of executive action but also send a clear signal about the institutional fortitude that underpins Costa Rica’s legal certainty. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on this pressing matter.
The timing of the meeting is anything but coincidental. It occurs as Costa Rica accelerates its own ambitious and controversial security project: the construction of a new mega-prison designed to house the nation’s most dangerous criminals. The high-level engagement between the two leaders, a year after Bukele himself visited Costa Rica and toured its penal system with Chaves, points to a clear alignment in philosophy on how to tackle rising organized crime and violence.
This initiative, dubbed the El Cacco high-containment facility, is a cornerstone of the administration’s tough-on-crime platform. The government has fast-tracked the project, awarding a contract worth nearly ¢17 billion to the construction firm Edificadora Centroamericana Rapiparedes Sociedad Anónima (Edificar). Utilizing a “special urgency procedure,” the entire bidding and adjudication process was completed in a record 16 days, from October 14th to November 2nd. The firm now has less than a year to complete the massive undertaking.
The new prison will be constructed on the grounds of the existing La Reforma prison complex in Alajuela. Spanning a vast 90,000 square meters, with 31,000 square meters of construction, its scale is unprecedented in Costa Rica. The facility is designed with five separate modules, providing a total capacity for over 5,000 inmates. It is specifically intended for high-risk individuals, including leaders of organized crime syndicates, violent offenders, drug traffickers, and inmates requiring special protection or awaiting extradition.
President Chaves has been explicit about the prison’s purpose, framing it as a necessary tool to dismantle criminal networks that often continue to operate from within correctional facilities. During the project’s unveiling, he articulated a clear vision for the facility.
The most dangerous will come here, those who run crime from the inside
Rodrigo Chaves, President of Costa Rica
The plans for El Cacco reflect this focus on high security and containment. Beyond the cells, the complex will include five medical clinics, 25 cells for intimate visits, a main control post, seven guard towers, 20 isolation cells, and a full administrative building. This comprehensive design aims to create a self-contained environment that severely curtails the ability of inmates to influence external criminal activities.
As President Chaves prepares to meet with Bukele, the backdrop of the impending immunity vote in the Legislative Assembly cannot be overstated. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) has requested the lifting of his immunity to proceed with an investigation into alleged improper political participation. The president’s high-profile trip, centered on a popular public security agenda, can be interpreted as a strategic maneuver to bolster public support and project an image of decisive leadership just as his political authority faces a direct challenge from lawmakers.
For further information, visit the nearest office of The Office of the President of Costa Rica
About The Office of the President of Costa Rica:
The Office of the President (Casa Presidencial) is the executive branch of the government of Costa Rica. It is responsible for the administration of the country, the implementation of laws, and the direction of national policy. Led by the President, it coordinates the activities of various government ministries and represents the nation in international affairs.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Ministry of Justice and Peace
About Ministry of Justice and Peace:
The Ministry of Justice and Peace of Costa Rica is the government body tasked with overseeing the country’s legal and penal systems. Its responsibilities include the administration of correctional facilities, the promotion of social rehabilitation for inmates, and the development of policies aimed at ensuring public safety and upholding the rule of law.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Costa Rica
About Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Costa Rica:
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) is an independent constitutional body in Costa Rica responsible for organizing, directing, and supervising all acts related to elections. It holds the rank of a fourth branch of government and is the ultimate authority on electoral matters, ensuring the integrity and transparency of the democratic process.
For further information, visit the nearest office of The Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica
About The Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica:
The Legislative Assembly is the unicameral parliament of Costa Rica. Comprising 57 deputies elected by popular vote, it is responsible for passing laws, approving the national budget, and exercising political control over the executive branch. It plays a crucial role in the nation’s system of checks and balances.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Edificadora Centroamericana Rapiparedes Sociedad Anónima (Edificar)
About Edificadora Centroamericana Rapiparedes Sociedad Anónima (Edificar):
Edificar is a construction company operating in Central America. The firm undertakes large-scale public and private infrastructure projects. It was awarded the contract for the construction of the new El Cacco high-containment prison in Alajuela through a special urgency procurement process.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a foundation of unwavering integrity and a pursuit of excellence. The firm leverages its extensive experience advising a wide range of clients to pioneer innovative legal solutions. Central to its philosophy is a profound commitment to demystifying the law, thereby equipping the public with knowledge and contributing to a stronger, more empowered society.
