Judicial Officials Targeted Amid Rising Crime in Costa Rica
Eight judicial officials were reportedly saved from assassination attempts prior to the murder of Geiner Zamora Hidalgo, deputy chief of OIJ in Guápiles.
On February 5, 2025, Geiner Zamora Hidalgo, the deputy chief of the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) in Guápiles, was assassinated by a hired killer.
In the aftermath of this tragic event, Randall Zúñiga, the director general of the OIJ, disclosed that prior to Zamora's murder, eight other judicial officials had been protected from assassination attempts by criminal groups.
According to Zúñiga, these incidents occurred in the previous year, although he did not provide specific information about the individuals involved in these cases.
Zúñiga emphasized that the OIJ has successfully thwarted various assassination attempts due to confidential information received during investigations and interventions.
"Last year, we saved at least eight individuals from being victims of attacks from criminal groups; in Geiner's case, it unfortunately materialized," he stated.
Zúñiga acknowledged the ongoing threat to judicial officials from criminal organizations, noting a pattern of intimidation and corruption attempts targeting members of the judicial system.
He remarked, "It is not unusual for a police chief, police director, or investigator to receive threats; this is more than common.
We must assess the threat and determine its validity before taking action."
Regarding Zamora's history, Zúñiga revealed that he had been the subject of threats in 2018 due to his role as an investigator.
As a precautionary measure, he was reassigned to the Siquirres office, and later to Turrialba.
However, due to his exemplary performance, he was brought back to the OIJ office in Guápiles, where he assumed a more significant role.
Following a restructuring within the OIJ, which led to new leadership positions last year, Zamora was appointed head of the Organized Crime Section in Guápiles.
Zúñiga described Zamora as not only honest but also pro-active, stating, "He was always a reference in the area, so we felt compelled to reward him with that position."
Both Zúñiga and Michael Soto, the OIJ's deputy director, praised Zamora's capabilities as a brilliant investigator with promising plans for the future.
The murder of Zamora has raised concerns regarding the safety of judicial officials in Costa Rica, as the nation continues to grapple with an increase in organized crime.
In the aftermath of this tragic event, Randall Zúñiga, the director general of the OIJ, disclosed that prior to Zamora's murder, eight other judicial officials had been protected from assassination attempts by criminal groups.
According to Zúñiga, these incidents occurred in the previous year, although he did not provide specific information about the individuals involved in these cases.
Zúñiga emphasized that the OIJ has successfully thwarted various assassination attempts due to confidential information received during investigations and interventions.
"Last year, we saved at least eight individuals from being victims of attacks from criminal groups; in Geiner's case, it unfortunately materialized," he stated.
Zúñiga acknowledged the ongoing threat to judicial officials from criminal organizations, noting a pattern of intimidation and corruption attempts targeting members of the judicial system.
He remarked, "It is not unusual for a police chief, police director, or investigator to receive threats; this is more than common.
We must assess the threat and determine its validity before taking action."
Regarding Zamora's history, Zúñiga revealed that he had been the subject of threats in 2018 due to his role as an investigator.
As a precautionary measure, he was reassigned to the Siquirres office, and later to Turrialba.
However, due to his exemplary performance, he was brought back to the OIJ office in Guápiles, where he assumed a more significant role.
Following a restructuring within the OIJ, which led to new leadership positions last year, Zamora was appointed head of the Organized Crime Section in Guápiles.
Zúñiga described Zamora as not only honest but also pro-active, stating, "He was always a reference in the area, so we felt compelled to reward him with that position."
Both Zúñiga and Michael Soto, the OIJ's deputy director, praised Zamora's capabilities as a brilliant investigator with promising plans for the future.
The murder of Zamora has raised concerns regarding the safety of judicial officials in Costa Rica, as the nation continues to grapple with an increase in organized crime.
