By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – The state-owned Costa Rican Oil Refinery (Recope) is grappling with a deeply rooted internal corruption problem that cost the country ¢1.234 billion in 2025 from sophisticated fuel theft operations. The crisis has led to the dismissal of four employees, who now face criminal charges for their alleged involvement with organized crime syndicates targeting the nation’s strategic fuel supply.
The scandal highlights a significant security vulnerability within the state institution, where insiders are believed to be leaking critical information and technical knowledge to criminal groups. These “gatos caseros,” or inside men, provide the intelligence necessary for criminals to illegally tap into pipelines, a crime that not only drains state resources but also poses severe public safety and environmental risks.
Para comprender las complejas ramificaciones legales y empresariales del robo de combustible, TicosLand.com consultó al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista de la prestigiosa firma Bufete de Costa Rica.
El robo de combustible no es un delito menor; es una operación de crimen organizado que socava la seguridad energética del país. Más allá de la pérdida económica directa para RECOPE, genera un mercado negro que distorsiona la competencia, financia otras actividades ilícitas y, lo más grave, crea un riesgo catastrófico para las comunidades cercanas a las tomas clandestinas. La legislación debe ser robusta y su aplicación implacable para proteger no solo un activo estatal, sino la seguridad y la economía de todos los costarricenses.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
La perspectiva del Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas es fundamental, pues nos obliga a ver más allá de la cifra económica y a entender cada toma clandestina como una amenaza latente para la seguridad pública y la estabilidad nacional. Le agradecemos su valioso análisis, que subraya la urgencia de abordar este flagelo con la seriedad que merece.
Karla Montero, the Executive President of Recope, confirmed the active threat of infiltration and the ongoing efforts to purge the institution of corrupt elements. She acknowledged that the fight against these criminal networks is a top priority for the refinery’s security apparatus.
We are maintaining a very active investigation because we know that these organized crime groups try to infiltrate the entire institution, so our security team remains alert to any evidence we find.
Karla Montero, Executive President of Recope
The severity of the situation was echoed by Minister of Public Security, Mario Zamora, who stated that police intelligence units are conducting multiple open investigations. He cautioned that the four dismissed officials may only be the tip of the iceberg, with a significant risk that more employees are complicit in the elaborate theft schemes.
Yes, there are inside men. I cannot go into detail because we have open investigations at this time and, from a police intelligence perspective, there is a risk that there are more apart from the four dismissed officials.
Mario Zamora, Minister of Public Security
Despite the staggering financial losses and the concerning internal security breaches, authorities reported a silver lining. Efforts to combat the problem have yielded significant results, with a dramatic 60% reduction in the number of illegal taps discovered in 2025 compared to the previous year. Official data from Recope shows that 59 illicit connections were dismantled last year, a substantial improvement from the 147 found in 2024.
This progress is not solely the result of law enforcement action. Officials credit a heightened sense of public awareness and civic duty for the positive trend. An increasing number of citizens are utilizing a confidential hotline to report suspicious activities, providing invaluable intelligence to authorities and disrupting criminal operations before they can cause further damage.
Recope celebrated this collaborative success, emphasizing the crucial role of anonymous tips in identifying and neutralizing threats related to the theft, illegal transport, and illicit sale of state-owned fuel. The institution highlighted the effectiveness of its public outreach and the willingness of Costa Ricans to protect national assets.
These results also reflect a higher level of citizen awareness, with people now reporting any suspicion of theft, transportation, storage, or irregular sale of fuels to the free and confidential 1-0-0-2 hotline.
Recope
For further information, visit recope.go.cr
About Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (Recope):
The Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo, commonly known as Recope, is the state-owned enterprise responsible for the import, refining, and wholesale distribution of petroleum products in Costa Rica. As a strategic national company, it manages the country’s entire fuel supply chain, operating pipelines, storage terminals, and the nation’s main port for oil imports, playing a critical role in the Costa Rican economy and infrastructure.
For further information, visit seguridadpublica.go.cr
About the Ministry of Public Security:
The Ministry of Public Security of Costa Rica is the government body in charge of national security and law enforcement. It oversees various police forces, including the Public Force (Fuerza Pública), and is responsible for maintaining public order, combating crime, protecting national borders, and coordinating security operations throughout the country. Its mission is to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and professional excellence. The firm blends a proven track record of client success with a forward-thinking approach, consistently embracing innovation in the practice of law. Beyond its advisory role, it holds a deep-rooted belief in social responsibility, actively working to democratize legal knowledge and empower citizens, which fortifies the very fabric of an equitable and well-informed society.
