3/7/2025–|Last update: 14:43 (Mecca time)
The Supreme Court requested Costa Rica From the Legislative Council in the country, President Rodrigo Chavez is stripped of the immunity that prevents his trial, with the aim of prosecuting corruption charges.
This unprecedented request comes from the court against the background World Bank.
Prosecutor Carlo Diaz accused President Chavez, 64, of bribery by forcing a telecommunications services company that the presidency contracted to pay 32 thousand dollars to his friend and former adviser Federico Cruise.
The court also asked to lift the immunity of the Minister of Culture Jorge Rodriguez – who previously held the position of Minister of Communications – for the same reason.
According to the accusation, the telecommunications company was contracted for the Chavez presidency period from 2022 to 2026 with funds from the Central Bank of Central Economic Integration, as part of procedures claimed to be improper.
The president has not issued any reaction yet, but the leader of the ruling party, Belar Siseniros, described the court’s request as “ridiculous”, confirming that Chavez has nothing to do with the contracts.
Chavez and Rodriguez face a prison sentence for two to 8 years if convicted. They denied the charges against them.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez stated that he “has a comfortable conscience and a clean record.”
Political hostility
Chavez and his collaborators also face the unlawful financing of the election campaigns related to the 2022 campaign that brought him to his position. Chavez also denies these charges.
On the other hand, Chavez accuses the Office of the Public Prosecutor, the Supreme Court and Congress of obstructing his political initiatives. This dispute sparked a confrontation between the various authorities in a country that has long been seen as a beacon of democracy and stability in a crime area.
Chavez is also repeatedly criticizing the opposition parties, judges, public prosecutors, legislators and the seized media. The opposition deputies control the National Assembly.
Chavez defeated former President Jose Maria Vigheris in 2022, and began a 4 -year mandate focusing on reviving the struggling economy.
He is not allowed to run for a second term in a row, but politicians close to him did not rule out his candidacy for a seat in Congress in 2026.