Concerns Over Democratic Decline in Costa Rica Amid Government Power Struggles
Recent findings highlight increasing tensions between the executive branch and other state powers, alongside declining press freedom in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica faces indications of democratic decline, as identified in the recent _Informe del Estado de la Región_.
The report, published on March 17, points to a series of confrontations between President Rodrigo Chaves Robles’s administration and other state powers, along with concerns regarding the treatment of the media.
While Costa Rica continues to be recognized as the most highly rated democracy in Central America, the report warns that ongoing conflicts among state branches and threats to press freedom signal potential regressions in the nation’s democratic framework.
The document titled _Implicaciones de vivir en democracia: Régimenes y cultura política en Centroamérica y República Dominicana_ outlines how escalating tensions limit opportunities for addressing social, economic, environmental, and citizen security issues.
The report notes that institutional actors and political parties are currently engaged in cycles of attacks, defenses, and counterattacks.
The political struggle has shifted from ideological or programmatic differences to a confrontation over the executive branch's efforts to enhance its formal powers, met with resistance from the Legislative and Judicial branches and horizontal control systems.
Of particular note is the finding that three of the twelve instances of censure motions against government ministers since 1956 occurred during Chaves Robles’ tenure, marking a significant concentration of confrontational actions within a short time frame.
The _Estado de la Región_ initiative, launched by the National Council of Rectors and the Ombudsman's Office of Costa Rica in 1996, has produced seven reports analyzing sustainable human development, regional integration across Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, and assessing political aspects, the rule of law, democracy, and the fight against corruption.
The report describes Costa Rica’s administrative system as a “non-dominant presidentialism,” where the executive branch operates under the laws enacted by the Legislative branch and faces stringent constitutional, legal, and administrative controls from other state powers.
Another significant issue raised in the study is Costa Rica's declining performance in the Press Freedom Index, which evaluates the context for journalistic practice based on seven indicators: pluralism, media independence, environment and self-censorship, legal framework, transparency, quality of infrastructure, and assaults.
In the latest assessment for 2024, Costa Rica scored 76 out of 100 points and ranked 26th among 180 assessed countries, its lowest position to date.
The report indicates a gradual deterioration of this index over recent years, attributed largely to persistent tensions between the executive branch and certain media outlets.
The report highlights that in 2022, the government subjected media and journalists to verbal attacks, while some state entities refrained from supplying information deemed as public interest.
Consequently, several media organizations have lodged complaints with the Constitutional Chamber regarding perceived infringements on press freedom.
Additionally, the report cites an October 2022 court ruling that overturned a government health order restricting the use of Parque Viva, a venue significant to the economic activities of the media outlet _La Nación_.
Alberto Mora Román, research coordinator for the report, emphasized that Costa Rica, along with Panama and the Dominican Republic, remains one of the countries with the most stable democratic conditions in the region, despite facing setbacks.
He highlighted that democratic regressions are evident across all nations, although Costa Rica maintains a notable international standing in terms of freedoms, respect for popular will, and the quality of electoral processes.
Mora also pointed out a concerning trend regarding public support for democracy, noting that a significant portion of the population appears ambivalent or skeptical.
This sentiment, he suggests, arises from government failures to adequately respond to the needs and expectations of citizens.
Beyond Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, social investment across the rest of the region is reported to be less than $500 per capita annually.
The report, published on March 17, points to a series of confrontations between President Rodrigo Chaves Robles’s administration and other state powers, along with concerns regarding the treatment of the media.
While Costa Rica continues to be recognized as the most highly rated democracy in Central America, the report warns that ongoing conflicts among state branches and threats to press freedom signal potential regressions in the nation’s democratic framework.
The document titled _Implicaciones de vivir en democracia: Régimenes y cultura política en Centroamérica y República Dominicana_ outlines how escalating tensions limit opportunities for addressing social, economic, environmental, and citizen security issues.
The report notes that institutional actors and political parties are currently engaged in cycles of attacks, defenses, and counterattacks.
The political struggle has shifted from ideological or programmatic differences to a confrontation over the executive branch's efforts to enhance its formal powers, met with resistance from the Legislative and Judicial branches and horizontal control systems.
Of particular note is the finding that three of the twelve instances of censure motions against government ministers since 1956 occurred during Chaves Robles’ tenure, marking a significant concentration of confrontational actions within a short time frame.
The _Estado de la Región_ initiative, launched by the National Council of Rectors and the Ombudsman's Office of Costa Rica in 1996, has produced seven reports analyzing sustainable human development, regional integration across Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, and assessing political aspects, the rule of law, democracy, and the fight against corruption.
The report describes Costa Rica’s administrative system as a “non-dominant presidentialism,” where the executive branch operates under the laws enacted by the Legislative branch and faces stringent constitutional, legal, and administrative controls from other state powers.
Another significant issue raised in the study is Costa Rica's declining performance in the Press Freedom Index, which evaluates the context for journalistic practice based on seven indicators: pluralism, media independence, environment and self-censorship, legal framework, transparency, quality of infrastructure, and assaults.
In the latest assessment for 2024, Costa Rica scored 76 out of 100 points and ranked 26th among 180 assessed countries, its lowest position to date.
The report indicates a gradual deterioration of this index over recent years, attributed largely to persistent tensions between the executive branch and certain media outlets.
The report highlights that in 2022, the government subjected media and journalists to verbal attacks, while some state entities refrained from supplying information deemed as public interest.
Consequently, several media organizations have lodged complaints with the Constitutional Chamber regarding perceived infringements on press freedom.
Additionally, the report cites an October 2022 court ruling that overturned a government health order restricting the use of Parque Viva, a venue significant to the economic activities of the media outlet _La Nación_.
Alberto Mora Román, research coordinator for the report, emphasized that Costa Rica, along with Panama and the Dominican Republic, remains one of the countries with the most stable democratic conditions in the region, despite facing setbacks.
He highlighted that democratic regressions are evident across all nations, although Costa Rica maintains a notable international standing in terms of freedoms, respect for popular will, and the quality of electoral processes.
Mora also pointed out a concerning trend regarding public support for democracy, noting that a significant portion of the population appears ambivalent or skeptical.
This sentiment, he suggests, arises from government failures to adequately respond to the needs and expectations of citizens.
Beyond Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, social investment across the rest of the region is reported to be less than $500 per capita annually.
