Costa Rica Culture Minister faces budget cuts and travel scrutiny

Costa Rican Minister of Culture and Youth, Jorge Rodríguez Vives, is facing scrutiny regarding both his international travel plans and proposed budget reductions. President Laura Fernández has authorized Rodríguez Vives to participate in two major performing arts festivals in October 2026: the International Festival of Performing Arts (FIDAE) in Montevideo, Uruguay, and the 41st Ibero-American Theater Festival of Cádiz in Spain. While the Minister will personally cover his airfare, the host organizations in Uruguay and Spain will fund his lodging, meals, and local transfers. During his absence, Vice Minister Sally María Molina Villalobos will serve as acting Minister.

Simultaneously, Rodríguez Vives appeared before the Legislative Assembly's Treasury Affairs Commission to defend a proposed budget cut for the Ministry of Culture for 2027. The Ministry's budget is projected to decrease from ¢49,659 million to ¢47,961 million. The proposal has drawn criticism from lawmakers and public protests outside the Congress. Film director Hernán Jiménez and Deputy Antonio Trejos have voiced opposition to the reduction, which amounts to nearly 1,700 million colones compared to the 2026 budget.