Costa Rica President Laura Fernandez battles judiciary over drug‑crime crackdown

President Laura Fernandez, who took office in May 2024, has entered a sharp confrontation with Costa Rica's judiciary. The dispute centres on her administration's proposal to cut the courts' budget and to shift the appointment of the attorney general from the Supreme Court to the legislature. Fernandez accuses the judiciary of being infiltrated by organized crime and says the courts are blocking her “iron‑fist” security plan, which draws inspiration from El Salvador’s hard‑line approach.

Judicial leaders reject the allegations, warning that the budget reductions scheduled for 2026‑27 would weaken democratic checks and hamper efforts against drug‑related violence. They note that the homicide rate remains high – about two murders a day – with only 38% of killings resulting in convictions, while the prison population has risen 36% since 2020. Public sentiment is frustrated, with citizens saying political infighting is diverting attention from the fight against crime.

The clash highlights broader regional challenges, as Costa Rica sits on a major cocaine transit corridor to the United States, and underscores the tension between security initiatives and institutional independence.