Corruption in Costa Rica

Costa Rica generally has low corruption and is regarded as the least corrupt nation in Central America.[1][2] Its anti-corruption laws are generally well enforced. However, there are persistent problems with high level corruption and most notably, every president who has taken office since 1990s have faced allegations of corrupt behavior.[3]

Background

Rising corruption has been a matter of grave concern to the people of Costa Rica. Strides have been made in combatting corruption through the introduction of robust laws by successive governments. A free and media and independent prosecutors are working hard to clamp down on official corruption. However, state agencies combatting corruption are allocated limited resources, hindering their ability to fight corruption.[4]

Instance of high level corruption

A major scandal shook Costa Rica in June 2020. It was discovered that private companies offered luxurious houses and cars to state officials in exchange for preferential treatment. Constructors used false invoices as well as inflated prices as means to factor in the bribe paid to state officials, which stood at 78 billion Colone or $125 miilon . A top aide of then President Carlos Alvarado Quesada was also associated with this scandal, who shortly resigned afterwards.[5]

Judicial officials have also been implicated in major corruption scandals. A judge and a member of Costa Rica's national police force were arrested in connection with being involved in the activities of a major drug trafficking and criminal organization in December 2020. A month earlier, a judge and judicial assistant were arrested for their alleged collaboration with drug traffickers. A 2020 report from Costa Rica's state of the nation program showed that only one in ten complaints regarding corruption made it to trial, raising concerns for impunity.[6]

Costa Rica faced serious challenge in fighting against corruption due to lack of a leading anti-corruption agency. Many legislative agendas were envisioned to fight against corruption, but those proposals have not been turned into laws.

There were no strong mechanisms for asset recovery. Besides, protection for whistleblowers is also limited. Costa Rica also lacks an access to information law.[7]

References
  1. "2022 Investment Climate Statements: Costa Rica". United States Department of State. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  2. 4:27 pm (February 2022). "Transparency International: Costa Rica Is the Least Corrupt Country in Central America – Outlier Legal Services". News.outlierlegal.com. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  3. "Costa Rica: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report". Freedom House. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  4. "Costa Rica's Anti-Corruption Trajectory: Strengths and Limitations". Cmi.no. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  5. Asmann, Parker (22 June 2021). "High-Profile Corruption Probe Tests Costa Rica's Justice System".
  6. Jones, Katie (6 January 2021). "Why Courtroom Corruption Has Costa Rica Concerned".
  7. "New Civil Society Report on Costa Rica: better inter-institutional coordination and effective asset recovery laws and practices needed to advance anti-corruption efforts". UNCAC Coalition. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
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