Electoral Authority Cautions Costa Rican President on Political Neutrality
Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones warns Rodrigo Chaves against ambiguous messages ahead of the 2026 elections
The Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE) of Costa Rica has issued a statement urging President Rodrigo Chaves to maintain political neutrality in the lead-up to the 2026 national elections.
This warning, conveyed on Wednesday, emphasizes the constitutional obligation of public officials to refrain from ambiguous messages that could undermine their impartiality.
The TSE's Specialized Section, composed of three alternate magistrates, stated, "Any governmental authority's expression that, due to its ambiguity, approaches the limits of the established prohibitions for public officials does not align with the duty of neutrality and compromises the intent of the constitutional provision."
As the country approaches the next national elections, set for February 2026, the electoral authority has called on Chaves to exercise heightened prudence in his public statements, particularly avoiding references to partisan affiliations.
This cautionary message from the TSE came following its rejection of two political belligerence complaints filed by the National Liberation Party (PLN) and the Citizens' Action Party (PAC) against the president amid the adjacent 2024 municipal elections.
Andrei Cambronero, the TSE's legal advisor, clarified that the complaints related to claims regarding Chaves’ conduct in the municipal election context.
The PLN’s complaint was dismissed on the grounds that it failed to include a clear and detailed description of the alleged conduct alongside the necessary evidentiary support.
The complaint had been lodged by Miguel Guillén, the PLN’s general secretary, in response to comments made by Douglas Altamirano, a supporter of the Chaves-aligned political group Aquí Costa Rica Manda (ACRM), who alleged that Federico Cruz, a former presidential advisor, was seeking a political grouping at the behest of President Chaves.
In a separate instance, PAC President Fabián Solano questioned a post made by Chaves on social media platform X. However, the TSE clarified that this statement did not pertain to partisan politics but rather served as criticism of municipal councilors in Goicoechea, concluding that such negative assessments do not violate the prohibitions outlined in Article 145 of the Electoral Code.
Currently, there are four pending complaints regarding political belligerence against President Chaves related to his statements made during press conferences.
Cambronero noted that these complaints have been filed by the PLN, PAC, the Broad Front (FA), and a private citizen.
They involve various press conferences broadcasted on different platforms but are compiled under the same case, given the commonality of the respondent.
Additionally, an anonymous request from the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic has also been sent to the TSE concerning these press conferences but does not constitute a formal complaint.
This request has been included in the same dossier for procedural purposes.
This warning, conveyed on Wednesday, emphasizes the constitutional obligation of public officials to refrain from ambiguous messages that could undermine their impartiality.
The TSE's Specialized Section, composed of three alternate magistrates, stated, "Any governmental authority's expression that, due to its ambiguity, approaches the limits of the established prohibitions for public officials does not align with the duty of neutrality and compromises the intent of the constitutional provision."
As the country approaches the next national elections, set for February 2026, the electoral authority has called on Chaves to exercise heightened prudence in his public statements, particularly avoiding references to partisan affiliations.
This cautionary message from the TSE came following its rejection of two political belligerence complaints filed by the National Liberation Party (PLN) and the Citizens' Action Party (PAC) against the president amid the adjacent 2024 municipal elections.
Andrei Cambronero, the TSE's legal advisor, clarified that the complaints related to claims regarding Chaves’ conduct in the municipal election context.
The PLN’s complaint was dismissed on the grounds that it failed to include a clear and detailed description of the alleged conduct alongside the necessary evidentiary support.
The complaint had been lodged by Miguel Guillén, the PLN’s general secretary, in response to comments made by Douglas Altamirano, a supporter of the Chaves-aligned political group Aquí Costa Rica Manda (ACRM), who alleged that Federico Cruz, a former presidential advisor, was seeking a political grouping at the behest of President Chaves.
In a separate instance, PAC President Fabián Solano questioned a post made by Chaves on social media platform X. However, the TSE clarified that this statement did not pertain to partisan politics but rather served as criticism of municipal councilors in Goicoechea, concluding that such negative assessments do not violate the prohibitions outlined in Article 145 of the Electoral Code.
Currently, there are four pending complaints regarding political belligerence against President Chaves related to his statements made during press conferences.
Cambronero noted that these complaints have been filed by the PLN, PAC, the Broad Front (FA), and a private citizen.
They involve various press conferences broadcasted on different platforms but are compiled under the same case, given the commonality of the respondent.
Additionally, an anonymous request from the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic has also been sent to the TSE concerning these press conferences but does not constitute a formal complaint.
This request has been included in the same dossier for procedural purposes.
