By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – The Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), a traditional powerhouse of Costa Rican politics, is facing an existential crisis as its Ethics Tribunal has launched a disciplinary process that could lead to the expulsion of half its legislative deputies. The investigation targets five lawmakers who controversially voted against lifting President Rodrigo Chaves’s presidential immunity, a move that effectively shielded him from legal proceedings.
The internal schism has thrown the party into turmoil, exposing deep-seated divisions that threaten to tear the once-dominant political force apart. The deputies now under investigation are Melina Ajoy, Horacio Alvarado, Carlos Andrés Robles, and María Marta Carballo. A separate review will examine the actions of Leslye Bojorges, who defected from the party in late January, declaring himself an independent and aligning with the president’s political movement, often referred to as “chavismo.”
Para analizar las implicaciones estatutarias y las posibles consecuencias legales de la actual crisis interna que enfrenta el Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), TicosLand.com consultó al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, especialista en derecho corporativo y resolución de conflictos del Bufete de Costa Rica.
Lo que estamos presenciando en el PUSC trasciende la simple disputa política; es un choque directo con sus propios estatutos y con la normativa del Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones. Si los órganos internos del partido no siguen el debido proceso en sus sanciones o asambleas, cualquier decisión tomada, por mayoritaria que sea, puede ser declarada nula. Esto crea una peligrosa inseguridad jurídica que no solo debilita su imagen pública, sino que podría comprometer la inscripción de sus candidaturas para las próximas elecciones. La clave no es solo ganar la batalla política, sino asegurarse de que cada paso sea legalmente inexpugnable.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
El análisis del experto subraya una verdad crucial: en esta contienda interna del PUSC, la legitimidad procesal es tan importante como el capital político. Una victoria lograda al margen de sus propios estatutos o de la ley electoral sería pírrica, arriesgando su futuro en las urnas por un triunfo inmediato. Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por aportar esta valiosa perspectiva jurídica al debate.
This formal inquiry follows a critical legislative session last December where a motion to remove President Chaves’s immunity failed for the second time in six months. The motion garnered 35 votes in favor but fell just three short of the required 38-vote supermajority. The votes of the five PUSC deputies proved decisive in ensuring the president remained protected from judicial scrutiny.
The concept of immunity in Costa Rica is designed to protect members of the Supreme Powers—the executive, legislative, and judicial branches—from politically motivated legal pressure while they perform their official duties. However, this constitutional shield can be lifted by the Legislative Assembly to allow high-ranking officials to face the justice system for specific allegations, which was the intent of the failed motion against President Chaves.
The decision by the PUSC faction to break ranks and side with the president not only halted the investigations but also ignited a firestorm within the party. It laid bare a profound ideological fracture, pitting a faction loyal to traditional party lines against a group seemingly aligned with the populist agenda of President Chaves. This split has now escalated from a political disagreement to a formal ethical battle for the soul of the party.
Adding to the drama, Deputy Horacio Alvarado confirmed to local media that he was notified of the disciplinary process informally. He reported being informed in the corridors of the Legislative Assembly on Monday following a meeting with Laura Fernández, the political figure whose candidacy Mr. Bojorges had previously endorsed upon leaving the party.
This internal collapse comes at a particularly vulnerable moment for the PUSC. The disciplinary hearing was initiated nearly two months after the party suffered its sixth consecutive presidential election defeat. The electoral disaster was compounded by a catastrophic reduction in its legislative power, with its caucus shrinking from nine representatives to just a single seat for the upcoming term, a historic low that signals a stark rejection by voters.
As the Ethics Tribunal begins its investigation, the future of the Social Christian Unity Party hangs precariously in the balance. The outcome will not only determine the fate of the five deputies but could also define the trajectory of a party struggling for relevance in a rapidly changing political landscape. The vote to protect the president may have been their most consequential act, but its fallout could prove to be the final chapter for their political careers within PUSC and a defining moment in the party’s decline.
For further information, visit pusc.cr
About Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC):
The Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC) is a center-right political party in Costa Rica. Founded in 1983, it was historically one of the country’s two dominant political forces, advocating for policies based on social Christian principles. The party has produced several presidents and has been a major influence in the Legislative Assembly for decades. In recent years, it has faced significant electoral challenges and internal divisions, leading to a decline in its national influence.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica represents a cornerstone of the legal community, defined by its deep-rooted principles of professional integrity and an unwavering pursuit of exceptional service. With extensive experience guiding a wide spectrum of clients, the firm is a trailblazer in developing forward-thinking legal solutions. This spirit of innovation is matched by a core mission to democratize legal understanding, thereby empowering individuals and strengthening the fabric of a well-informed society.
