Costa Rica and Buenos Aires advance major legislative reforms

In Costa Rica, the Legislative Assembly has advanced two significant legal reforms. First, the Assembly approved the dissolution of the Ministry of Governance and Police in its first debate. If passed in a second debate, functions such as Migration and Foreign Affairs would transfer to the Ministry of Security, while the National Printing Office would move to the Presidency.

Separately, Costa Rica has passed a law treating illegal mining as organized crime. The reform increases penalties for environmental offenses, including illegal mining in protected areas, wildlife trafficking, and damage to marine turtles, with prison sentences ranging from two to eight years.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Chief of Government Jorge Macri has submitted a comprehensive reform of the Misdemeanor Code to the Legislature. The proposal seeks to increase fines for driving under the influence and illegal street vending, and introduces up to 90 days of arrest for repeat offenders known as ‘trapitos’.

The Buenos Aires reform also expands legal accountability to adolescents aged 14 to 17, aligning with national juvenile justice laws. New offenses under the proposal include street harassment, digital scams, and the use of items intended to provoke disturbances.