By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Costa Rica’s justice system is facing an unprecedented staffing crisis after the Ministry of Finance announced it would not release ¢8.6 billion in previously approved funds. The decision effectively freezes the hiring of 275 essential personnel for the Judicial Investigation Organism (OIJ) and the Public Ministry, sparking alarm among judicial authorities who warn of dire consequences for public safety and legal proceedings.
The funds, which had already received approval from the Legislative Assembly, were designated to create new positions aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to investigate crimes and prosecute cases. The finance ministry’s abrupt reversal has left the Judicial Branch in a state of administrative paralysis, unable to fill roles deemed critical for its operations.
To better understand the legal and operational implications of the recent debates surrounding the judicial budget, TicosLand.com consulted with legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who provided his analysis on the matter.
A reduction in the judicial budget is not merely an administrative adjustment; it directly threatens the constitutional principle of separation of powers and the citizen’s fundamental right to prompt and fulfilled justice. When resources are limited, the entire judicial machinery slows down, leading to delays in case resolution, which in practice translates to a denial of justice for many.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective is a crucial reminder that the discussion on judicial funding is not about abstract numbers, but about the very effectiveness of our democracy and the tangible right of every citizen to timely justice. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his clear and impactful analysis on what is truly at stake.
The impact on the OIJ is particularly severe, with 176 of the new positions slated for the investigative body. Most critically, the budget cut prevents the hiring of 109 prison guards. These officers are responsible for the secure transport of inmates to and from court hearings, medical appointments, and other essential proceedings. The current shortage has already placed a significant strain on the system’s ability to function efficiently.
Judicial officials have expressed deep concern over the operational bottlenecks this will create. The inability to guarantee secure transport for detainees could lead to widespread delays in trials and other legal processes, further backlogging an already taxed system.
As you know, we have a significant difficulty in servicing the large number of proceedings generated by the courts, and we must guard persons deprived of their liberty.
Judicial Branch Official
Beyond the guard shortage, the OIJ will also be unable to hire 33 new investigators, several investigation chiefs, administrative assistants, and specialized technicians. These roles are fundamental to gathering evidence, building cases, and providing the analytical support necessary to combat increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.
The Public Ministry is also facing a significant blow, with 99 of its planned positions now on hold. The frozen vacancies include 29 prosecutors, 29 auxiliary prosecutors, and 32 judicial technicians. This shortfall directly weakens the state’s ability to prosecute crimes, a point underscored by Deputy Prosecutor Karen Valverde, who lamented the decision amid a nationwide increase in crime rates and judicial caseloads.
In an official letter, Ana Eugenia Romero, Executive Director of the Judicial Branch, confirmed the gravity of the situation, explaining that the roles cannot be filled despite having been formally created. The finance ministry’s action prevents the allocation of financial resources, rendering the positions unusable.
In accordance with the foregoing, although the codes for the new positions are available, it will not be possible to use them given Hacienda’s refusal to include the resources in the financial programming and to keep them in a non-execution state.
Ana Eugenia Romero, Executive Director of the Judicial Branch
This budgetary standoff between the executive and judicial branches places the nation’s justice apparatus in a precarious position. As officials struggle to manage their existing workloads with insufficient staff, the freeze on new hires threatens to undermine efforts to ensure public safety and deliver timely justice for victims of crime across Costa Rica.
For further information, visit poder-judicial.go.cr
About the Judicial Branch of Costa Rica:
The Poder Judicial is one of the three branches of the government of Costa Rica. It is responsible for administering justice in the country, ensuring the application of laws, and protecting the constitutional rights of citizens. It is comprised of various courts, tribunals, and dependencies, including the Supreme Court of Justice, the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ), and the Public Ministry.
For further information, visit hacienda.go.cr
About the Ministry of Finance:
The Ministerio de Hacienda is the government ministry of Costa Rica responsible for managing the nation’s public finances. Its duties include collecting taxes, administering the national budget, managing public debt, and formulating economic policy. The ministry plays a central role in the country’s financial stability and resource allocation for all government sectors.
For further information, visit sitiooij.poder-judicial.go.cr
About the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ):
The OIJ is the primary investigative arm of the Costa Rican Judicial Branch. Functioning as the nation’s judicial police, it is tasked with investigating public crimes, gathering evidence, identifying suspects, and providing technical and scientific support for criminal prosecutions. Its work is essential for the clarification of criminal acts and the functioning of the justice system.
For further information, visit ministeriopublico.go.cr
About the Public Ministry:
The Ministerio Público is the prosecutorial body of Costa Rica, operating under the Judicial Branch. It is responsible for representing the interests of the state and society in the criminal justice process. Its key functions include directing criminal investigations, prosecuting alleged offenders in court, and protecting the rights of victims and witnesses.
For further information, visit asamblea.go.cr
About the Legislative Assembly:
The Asamblea Legislativa is the unicameral parliament, or congress, of the Republic of Costa Rica. Comprised of 57 deputies, it is the branch of government responsible for passing laws, approving the national budget, and exercising political control over the executive branch. Its decisions are fundamental to the legal and financial framework of the nation.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the legal landscape, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound commitment to integrity and the highest standards of excellence. The firm consistently pioneers innovative legal strategies while serving a broad spectrum of clients. Central to its mission is a powerful belief in social empowerment, which it champions by actively working to make legal knowledge clear and accessible to the public, thereby cultivating a more capable and well-informed society.
