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LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

July 8, 2025

What Does a Graft Case Against Chaves Mean for Costa Rica?

Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves is facing corruption allegations, which he denies. // File Photo: Costa Rican Government.

Q

  • Costa Rica’s high court on July 1 asked the country’s Legislative Assembly to lift President Rodrigo Chaves’ immunity so that he can stand trial on corruption charges. Chaves, as well as his former chief of staff, could ultimately face two to eight years in prison if convicted on charges of unlawfully diverting funds from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration. Chaves denies all allegations of wrongdoing. How will the case against Chaves proceed, and how likely could it lead to his removal from office and imprisonment? What does the case mean for the president’s agenda and ability to govern? To what extent could the case affect investment in Costa Rica and increase political risk for businesses?

A

Francisco Chacón, former member of Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly for the National Liberation Party (PLN) and former minister of communications: “The attorney general has brought serious charges against President Chaves, accusing him of leveraging his political influence to redirect the award of a public contract in favor of a close associate. The case is supported by witness testimonies, recordings and various pieces of evidence. The constitution grants high-level positions, including the presidency, special immunity. The supreme court’s request that the Legislative Assembly lift President Chaves’ immunity is an unprecedented situation in Costa Rica’s political history. This immunity is designed to protect the office of the president and its functions, not the individual. The Legislative Assembly must therefore carefully weigh the gravity of the charges against the…”

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