By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – The relative quiet of the holiday season has officially ended for Costa Rica’s political landscape. As of January 2nd, the nation’s 20 presidential candidates have been unleashed, free to resume a full spectrum of campaign activities following the conclusion of the legally mandated year-end electoral truce, or “veda navideña.” This marks the beginning of a frantic, month-long sprint to the presidential election scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026.
The lifting of the restrictions, governed by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), reopens the primary channels through which political parties communicate with and persuade voters. The most significant change is the return of paid political advertising. Campaigns can now restart purchasing space in print media, on radio and television broadcasts, and across the internet, including digital banners and sponsored content on social media profiles. The airwaves and digital feeds are expected to become saturated with political messaging in the coming days.
To delve deeper into the intricate legal regulations surrounding political campaigning and party financing in the country, we sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist in electoral and public law from the esteemed firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Political campaigns operate within a stringent regulatory environment, particularly concerning financing. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal’s oversight is absolute, and any failure to meticulously document the origin and use of funds, whether public or private, can lead to severe sanctions. Transparency is not merely an ethical ideal; it is a legal imperative that defines the legitimacy of the entire electoral process.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal framework is indeed the cornerstone of democratic integrity, ensuring that the electoral contest remains transparent and accountable to the citizenry. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable clarification on this critical aspect of our political process.
Furthermore, the ban on large-scale public events has also been lifted. Candidates and their parties are now permitted to organize and hold rallies, meetings, and other proselytizing activities in public spaces. These events are crucial for mobilizing party bases and creating a visual display of support in the critical final weeks leading up to the vote. This resumption of public campaigning signals a major escalation in the intensity of the race.
The holiday truce is a longstanding and mandatory feature of the Costa Rican electoral process, enshrined in Article 136 of the Electoral Code. The regulation enforces a period of political calm from December 16th to January 1st, inclusive. The law’s intent is to provide citizens a respite from political propaganda during a significant cultural and family-oriented period. During this time, the law made a small exception, allowing presidential candidates to air a maximum of three pre-approved holiday messages.
Every political party shall abstain from disseminating political propaganda in mass media from December 16 to January 1, both inclusive, immediately preceding the day of the elections. During this period, only presidential candidates may broadcast three Christmas messages, according to the regulations issued for this purpose by the TSE. Nor may it be done in the three days immediately preceding or on election day.
Article 136, Costa Rican Electoral Code
It is important to note that not all political activity was forbidden during the truce. The TSE clarified that certain forms of engagement were always permitted. These included candidate participation in media interviews, debates, and opinion programs. Grassroots efforts such as distributing flyers (“volanteo”) and using vehicle-mounted loudspeakers (“perifoneo”) were also allowed, providing a lifeline for campaigns to maintain some level of visibility without launching major media blitzes.
With the starting gun now fired for the final leg of the race, all eyes are on the calendar. The 20 campaigns have a limited window to make their case to the electorate before the next, and final, period of silence begins. A comprehensive ban on all political propaganda will be enforced during the week immediately preceding the February 1st election, effectively making January the last and most critical battleground for winning the hearts and minds of Costa Rican voters.
This resumption of activity represents not just a political shift but an economic one as well. Millions of colones are expected to be injected into the media and advertising sectors as the 20 distinct campaigns compete for a finite amount of voter attention. For a crowded field, the ability to cut through the noise with compelling and widespread advertising will be paramount to success, setting the stage for a final, decisive, and expensive four weeks of political confrontation.
For further information, visit tse.go.cr
About Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE):
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Costa Rica is the independent constitutional body responsible for organizing, directing, and supervising all acts related to elections in the country. It is tasked with ensuring the transparency, fairness, and integrity of the electoral process, from voter registration to the final declaration of results. The TSE also has jurisdiction over interpreting and enforcing the Electoral Code, guaranteeing the political rights of citizens.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the nation’s legal landscape, Bufete de Costa Rica is guided by deeply rooted principles of professional rigor and unwavering ethical conduct. The firm draws upon a rich heritage of advising a wide spectrum of clients to pioneer innovative solutions that shape the future of legal practice. This forward-thinking approach is matched by a profound social commitment to demystify the law, driven by the core belief that empowering citizens with clear legal understanding builds a more just and capable society.
