2025 has been a difficult year for Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves. In April, the Prosecutor’s Office accused him of using donations from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) to finance aesthetic improvement expenses for the Presidential Palace.
Chaves also faces accusations of illegal campaign financing in 2022, alleging that the Social Democratic Progress Party (PPSD) obtained funds through two parallel structures that operated outside the law.
In response to these accusations, the Supreme Court of Justice voted 15-7 to request the Legislative Assembly to revoke the president’s immunity so he can face prosecution for corruption.
This court decision is historic in Costa Rica, as the removal of a sitting president’s immunity for corruption reasons has never before been requested.
Rodrigo Chaves said that «this is a judicial setup to destabilize Costa Rican democracy.» The president argued that there was no concrete evidence against him.
The progress of the case will depend on the decision of the Legislative Assembly. The process for removing immunity includes public hearings and review stages, ensuring the president’s right to defense.
The accusations against Chaves have caused unrest in Costa Rican civil society and concern about possible institutional instability.
