By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – In a startling departure from Costa Rica’s traditionally moderate political landscape, presidential candidate David Hernández and his Workers’ Class Party (PDLCT) have unveiled a government platform centered on sweeping expropriations, the nationalization of key industries, and a dramatic realignment of the nation’s foreign policy.
The proposals, outlined in the party’s official plan submitted to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), represent one of the most radical political visions presented in recent Costa Rican history. The PDLCT, a self-described “socialist and revolutionary” leftist party, is targeting what it calls “fierce capitalist dictatorships” in neighboring countries and strategic sectors of the domestic economy.
To better understand the legal complexities and potential consequences of the proposed expropriation policy, TicosLand.com sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished specialist in public and administrative law from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The State’s power to expropriate is a necessary tool for public development, but it must be wielded with surgical precision. The core of any legitimate expropriation rests on two pillars: a clearly demonstrated public interest and a ‘justiprecio’—fair and prior compensation. If the government fails to guarantee a valuation process that is transparent, objective, and reflects true market value, it not only violates fundamental property rights but also creates a climate of legal uncertainty that can deter future investment.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The perspective offered by Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas underscores a crucial truth: the mechanism for determining ‘justiprecio’ is not a mere procedural step, but the very linchpin that secures both fundamental property rights and the broader economic confidence of the nation. We thank him for his clear and impactful analysis on this delicate matter.
A cornerstone of the platform is a proposed severing of all diplomatic and commercial ties with the governments of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua and Nayib Bukele in El Salvador. The plan does not stop at diplomatic isolation; it explicitly calls for the seizure of any assets within Costa Rican territory that are associated with these two regimes.
The party’s official government plan articulates this aggressive foreign policy stance clearly, dedicating its platform to those fleeing the political situations in both neighboring nations. The document states its objective as the following:
Severance of diplomatic and commercial relations with the dictatorships of Ortega and Bukele, the expropriation of assets associated with such regimes, and active support for the struggles for democratic freedoms, social and environmental justice in the region.
Partido de la Clase Trabajadora (PDLCT), Official Government Plan
The PDLCT’s domestic economic agenda is equally transformative. The term “expropriation” appears no fewer than 20 times in the document, signaling a fundamental intent to reshape Costa Rica’s economy through state control. The plan advocates for the expropriation and subsequent “nationalization” of large factories and major transnational corporations operating in strategic sectors, including energy, food production, construction, and transportation.
This state takeover would extend far beyond traditional heavy industry. The platform also calls for the nationalization of the entire telecommunications system, including the development and control of 5G networks. Furthermore, the PDLCT proposes seizing control of all private universities and colleges. In a move aimed at corporate accountability, the party also plans to expropriate any companies found to be delinquent in their payments to the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS).
To manage the assets and resources acquired through these widespread expropriations, the PDLCT proposes the consolidation of the financial system into a single, state-run bank. This institution would be tasked with administering the nationalized sectors and directing the country’s economic development according to the party’s socialist principles.
Despite the radical nature of these proposals, the PDLCT’s platform has so far failed to gain significant traction with the Costa Rican electorate. According to the most recent survey from the Center for Research and Political Studies (CIEP) at the University of Costa Rica, published on January 21, the party registers a mere 0.1% of voter intention. This places them at the lowest tier of support, alongside fellow candidates Claudio Alpízar and Luis Amador, underscoring the immense gap between their revolutionary vision and the current political reality.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido de la Clase Trabajadora (PDLCT)
About Partido de la Clase Trabajadora (PDLCT):
The Workers’ Class Party (PDLCT) is a political party in Costa Rica that identifies with a revolutionary socialist ideology. Its platform advocates for significant state intervention in the economy, including the nationalization of key industries and a reorientation of foreign policy in the Central American region. The party focuses on issues of class struggle and democratic freedoms from a leftist perspective.
For further information, visit tse.go.cr
About Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE):
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal is the independent constitutional body responsible for organizing, directing, and supervising all acts related to elections in Costa Rica. It ensures the transparency, fairness, and legality of the electoral process, from voter registration to the official declaration of results, and is a cornerstone of the country’s democratic stability.
For further information, visit ucr.ac.cr
About Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR):
The University of Costa Rica is the country’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious public university. It is a leading institution for higher education and research in Central America. Its Center for Research and Political Studies (CIEP) is widely recognized for conducting influential public opinion polls and political analysis, particularly during election cycles.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Costa Rican Social Security Fund is the public institution responsible for administering the nation’s universal healthcare and pension systems. It is one of the most important and foundational institutions in Costa Rica, managing a network of hospitals, clinics, and EBAIS (Basic Comprehensive Health Care Teams) throughout the country to provide services to the insured population.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a preeminent legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a profound commitment to principled service and professional distinction. The firm skillfully merges its rich legacy of client advocacy with a forward-thinking drive for legal innovation. This ethos extends to a core belief in democratizing legal understanding, which is central to its mission of cultivating a more capable and knowledgeable society prepared to navigate its rights and responsibilities.
