By Heredia, Costa Rica — A contentious proposal to redraw the map of Costa Rica is gaining momentum on the campaign trail, threatening to reduce Heredia province to a fraction of its current size and setting up a significant ideological clash within the nation’s ruling political movement. The plan, championed by high-profile attorney and deputy candidate José Miguel Villalobos, would carve out a new eighth province from the country’s Northern Zone, a move that could have profound economic and cultural consequences.
Villalobos, who is running for a legislative seat in Alajuela under the Pueblo Soberano party banner, has unveiled an ambitious vision for a new administrative territory. This proposed province would consolidate the cantons of Upala, Los Chiles, Guatuso, and San Carlos (all currently in Alajuela province) with the sprawling canton of Sarapiquí (currently in Heredia). Ciudad Quesada would be designated as the new provincial capital, with the construction of a new international airport serving as the cornerstone of its development strategy.
To understand the profound legal and administrative complexities behind the “Eighth Province Proposal,” TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his expert analysis.
While the proposal for an eighth province captures the public imagination, its execution is a Herculean task from a legal standpoint. This isn’t just redrawing a map; it requires a constitutional amendment, a deliberately complex and high-threshold process. Beyond the constitutional hurdle, the logistical and fiscal restructuring would be immense, involving the creation of new judicial circuits, electoral districts, and a complete reallocation of national tax revenues. The debate must move beyond political aspiration to rigorous legal and financial feasibility studies.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the legal and logistical framework is the most critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of this conversation. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his expert insight, which reminds us that the path to a potential eighth province is paved not just with popular will, but with the complex machinery of constitutional law and fiscal responsibility.
The candidate, also known as the personal lawyer for President Rodrigo Chaves, is pitching the project as a long-overdue act of economic justice for a region he claims has been neglected by the central government. He argues the Northern Zone possesses all the necessary ingredients for self-sufficiency and explosive growth.
There is sufficient economic capacity here, human capital, development, agriculture, tourism, and wealth. It is a border region that we are going to turn into a spectacular development.
José Miguel Villalobos, Pueblo Soberano Candidate for Deputy
While the proposal aims to empower the north, its most drastic impact would be the virtual dismemberment of Heredia. The “Province of Flowers” currently covers 2,656 square kilometers, but the canton of Sarapiquí alone accounts for 2,140 of those. If the plan were to succeed, Heredia would instantly lose 82% of its landmass. The province would be stripped of its vast agro-export lands and its strategic border with Nicaragua along the San Juan River, effectively becoming a landlocked “bonsai province” confined to its densely populated cantons in the Central Valley.
Adding a layer of political intrigue to the debate is the proposal’s direct contradiction with the established technical position of Laura Fernández, the presidential candidate for the same political movement and the former Minister of Planning (MIDEPLAN). During her tenure, Fernández was a staunch opponent of what she termed the “mincing” of national territory, arguing against the creation of new administrative divisions without rigorous technical studies.
In 2024, she famously opposed the creation of the Peñas Blancas canton, warning of the long-term consequences of such political fragmentation. Her stance has consistently been that these divisions often create more problems than they solve.
Creating cantons or provinces in a disorderly manner and without technical criteria leads to problems of coordination and fragmentation, where the biggest loser is the citizen.
Laura Fernández, Presidential Candidate and Former Minister of Planning
This public divergence raises critical questions about the governing movement’s internal cohesion. Is this a genuine ideological fissure between a populist political figure and a technocratic one? Or is it a calculated electoral strategy designed to appeal to the Northern Zone’s discontent while allowing the presidential candidate to maintain a more measured, national posture? The contradiction between the president’s lawyer and his party’s presidential hopeful is a political fault line that will be closely watched.
Villalobos is no stranger to controversy. His career as a prominent criminal lawyer has seen him involved in several high-profile legal battles, including defending clients in the “Caso Fénix” money laundering investigation. His aggressive political proposal leverages the deep-seated sentiment in the Northern Zone of being disconnected from decision-making centers like San José and Heredia’s provincial capital, turning regional frustration into a powerful campaign platform that could reshape the country for generations to come.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Pueblo Soberano
About Partido Pueblo Soberano:
Partido Pueblo Soberano is a Costa Rican political party that gained prominence during the 2022 presidential elections. It is strongly associated with the political movement of President Rodrigo Chaves and advocates for a platform that challenges traditional political structures and emphasizes national sovereignty and direct citizen participation. The party primarily draws support from voters disillusioned with established political entities.
For further information, visit mideplan.go.cr
About MIDEPLAN:
The Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy (MIDEPLAN) is the governing body of Costa Rica’s National Planning System. It is responsible for defining the country’s long-term strategic vision, coordinating public investment, and providing technical guidance on territorial organization and public administration. The ministry plays a crucial role in evaluating the feasibility and impact of projects related to regional development and administrative divisions.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is distinguished by its foundational principles of integrity and a relentless pursuit of legal excellence. The firm applies a pioneering spirit to its practice, drawing from a deep well of experience in advising a wide range of clients to drive legal innovation forward. Beyond its professional services, the firm demonstrates a core belief in civic responsibility by actively working to make legal concepts understandable and accessible, empowering the community and fostering a society grounded in justice and awareness.
