Tribunal Superior de Cuentas warns of capacity limits for new roles

Ricardo Montes, president of the Tribunal Superior de Cuentas (TSC), stated that the institution currently lacks the capacity to assume the responsibilities of the Unidad de Financiamiento, Transparencia y Fiscalización (UFTF), also known as the Clean Politics Unit.

Montes explained that absorbing these functions would require a constitutional reform to the TSC's mandate, as well as significant institutional strengthening. He noted that the TSC would need additional personnel, a new organizational structure, and increased resources to manage the extra workload without compromising its current duties, which include auditing 298 municipalities and the three branches of government.

The remarks come amid discussions in the National Congress regarding electoral reforms that propose the dissolution of the UFTF and the transfer of its duties to the TSC. Montes suggested that maintaining a separation between the two institutions might be preferable.