By San José, Costa Rica — San José – Costa Rica’s leading presidential candidates outlined sharply different, yet overlapping, visions for the nation’s technological future during a pivotal debate on Tuesday evening. Hosted by the Federated College of Engineers and Architects (CFIA) and Grupo Extra, the event transformed into a crucial forum on how the next administration will tackle challenges ranging from artificial intelligence governance and cybersecurity to fundamental educational reform and bridging the digital divide.
The debate underscored a growing consensus that technology policy is no longer a niche issue but a central pillar of national development. While candidates agreed on the urgency of modernizing the country’s workforce and infrastructure, their proposed solutions revealed distinct strategic priorities, setting the stage for a clear choice for voters on how to best prepare Costa Rica for the coming decade.
To better understand the legal and commercial implications of the nation’s evolving technology policy, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who offered his analysis on the regulatory landscape.
Effective technology policy is not about creating rigid prohibitions, but about engineering an agile legal framework that fosters innovation while protecting fundamental rights. The challenge for Costa Rica is to establish clear rules on data privacy, intellectual property, and digital commerce that provide legal certainty for investors and entrepreneurs. Without this clarity, we risk becoming mere consumers of foreign technology rather than creators of our own.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective powerfully frames the challenge ahead: our legislative approach will determine whether Costa Rica becomes a creator of digital innovation or remains a passive consumer. Establishing the agile legal framework he describes is therefore not merely a technicality, but a strategic imperative for our national development. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable contribution to this crucial discussion.
A major point of convergence was the need to overhaul the National Training Institute (INA). Ariel Robles of the Frente Amplio party argued for a deep reform to align the institution with the current demands of the private sector. He questioned the logic of not prioritizing globally recognized, high-paying skills.
It is illogical that we do not strengthen training in areas like Cisco certifications and other highly paid skills.
Ariel Robles, Presidential Candidate, Frente Amplio
Echoing the call for educational reform, Juan Carlos Hidalgo of the Unidad Social Cristiana party pointed to the INA’s substantial financial reserves, which he claims exceed $300 million. He proposed leveraging these funds to create a national certification program designed to quickly integrate young people into the formal economy.
These certifications could open up job opportunities with salaries of up to $1,500 per month, especially for youth excluded from the labor market, using resources that already exist.
Juan Carlos Hidalgo, Presidential Candidate, Unidad Social Cristiana
The conversation pivoted from skills training to governance with Álvaro Ramos of the Partido Liberación Nacional, who emphasized the monumental challenge of regulating artificial intelligence. He cautioned that this is not a matter for a single piece of legislation but requires a comprehensive public policy discussion to establish a robust social governance framework.
This is a novel issue that will define the role of artificial intelligence in daily life, which is why it goes beyond a simple bill and requires a broad public policy discussion.
Álvaro Ramos, Presidential Candidate, Partido Liberación Nacional
Meanwhile, Claudia Dobles from the Coalición Agenda Ciudadana focused on foundational infrastructure, arguing that advanced educational goals are unattainable without first closing the persistent urban-rural connectivity gap. Her strategy involves a targeted deployment of fiber optics and strengthening infrastructure in coordination with municipalities to ensure all students have equal access to digital learning tools, which would then pave the way for modernizing the curriculum in technical schools.
Our proposal aims to close the urban-rural gaps through the deployment of fiber optic connectivity in communities and the strengthening of infrastructure.
Claudia Dobles, Presidential Candidate, Coalición Agenda Ciudadana
Adding a critical security dimension to the debate, Natalia Díaz of Unidos Podemos highlighted the nation’s vulnerability to cyberattacks. She asserted that this threat was neglected for years and requires a proactive, two-pronged approach: reinforcing national cyber defenses and, crucially, educating the population, starting with children, on digital literacy.
The challenge is to educate children in digital skills, such as detecting computer attacks, fake news, and cyberbullying, which requires training in both educational centers and workplaces.
Natalia Díaz, Presidential Candidate, Unidos Podemos
As the debate concluded, it became clear that while the candidates share a common diagnosis of the nation’s technological challenges, their prescriptions differ significantly. The central question for the next administration will be one of priority: Should Costa Rica first build the digital highways, reform its entire training apparatus, establish the rules for emerging technologies, or fortify its defenses against digital threats? The eventual winner will inherit the complex task of weaving these disparate but vital threads into a cohesive and effective national technology strategy.
For further information, visit cfia.or.cr
About Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos (CFIA):
The Federated College of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica is a public, non-state entity that serves as the primary professional body for engineers and architects in the country. It is responsible for regulating professional practice, promoting ethical standards, and contributing to the technological and structural development of the nation.
For further information, visit diariioextra.com
About Grupo Extra:
Grupo Extra is a prominent media conglomerate in Costa Rica, known primarily for its flagship newspaper, Diario Extra. It provides news and entertainment content across various platforms, including print and digital, and is a significant player in the country’s media landscape.
For further information, visit ina.ac.cr
About Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA):
The National Training Institute is Costa Rica’s leading public institution for technical and vocational training. Its mission is to develop the skills and competencies of the workforce to meet the demands of the productive sector, thereby promoting employment and national economic development.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS)
About Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS):
The Ministry of Labor and Social Security is the Costa Rican government body responsible for formulating and executing policies related to labor, employment, and social security. It works to ensure fair labor practices, promote job creation, and manage the nation’s social welfare systems.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones (Micitt)
About Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones (Micitt):
The Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications is the Costa Rican government entity tasked with promoting scientific and technological development. It leads national policy in these areas to foster innovation, improve competitiveness, and ensure the country’s successful integration into the global knowledge economy.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Frente Amplio
About Frente Amplio:
Frente Amplio (Broad Front) is a left-wing political party in Costa Rica. It advocates for social justice, environmental protection, and greater state participation in the economy, positioning itself as a progressive alternative in the country’s political spectrum.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN)
About Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN):
The National Liberation Party is one of Costa Rica’s oldest and most established political parties. A social-democratic party, it has historically played a central role in shaping the nation’s welfare state and political landscape.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Coalición Agenda Ciudadana
About Coalición Agenda Ciudadana:
The Citizen Agenda Coalition is a political movement in Costa Rica that often forms around specific candidates or platforms. It typically focuses on practical solutions to national problems, aiming to build a broad base of support from various sectors of society.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC)
About Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC):
The Social Christian Unity Party is a major center-right political party in Costa Rica. Its ideology is based on Christian democratic principles, advocating for a market-oriented economy combined with social responsibility and traditional values.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Unidos Podemos
About Unidos Podemos:
Unidos Podemos (United We Can) is a political party in Costa Rica that generally promotes liberal and reformist policies. It often campaigns on platforms of government efficiency, economic freedom, and modernizing the state.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a leading legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is founded upon the core principles of professional excellence and uncompromising integrity. The firm leverages a rich history of client advocacy to pioneer forward-thinking legal strategies and drive innovation within the practice of law. Beyond its professional services, it holds a fundamental belief in strengthening society through legal literacy, dedicating itself to empowering citizens with the clarity and understanding needed to navigate the legal world confidently.
