(San José, 2026-01-10 17:14:00) — A citizen appeal has been filed with the Supreme Court of Elections (TSE) of Costa Rica seeking to prevent a visit by El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele next week, as the country nears its February 1 elections.
The legal challenge raises questions about potential foreign influence in Costa Rica’s upcoming vote, as President Bukele’s visit coincides with the final stretch of the election campaign.
- A citizen has appealed to Costa Rica’s TSE to block President Bukele’s planned visit.
- The appeal cites the Costa Rican Constitution, which prohibits foreign interference in political campaigns.
- The visit comes as Costa Rica grapples with rising homicide rates and is building a new prison modeled after El Salvador’s controversial facilities.
Eugenia Zamora, president of the TSE, confirmed the entity is analyzing an “electoral protection appeal” requesting Bukele be barred from entering the country, according to reporting by local news outlets. Zamora stated she could not provide further details while the case is under review.
The Costa Rican Constitution prohibits the influence of foreigners in political campaigns, providing the legal basis for the citizen’s request. This constitutional provision aims to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
Why It Matters
The timing of Bukele’s planned visit, so close to the election, is particularly sensitive. His presence could be interpreted as an endorsement of certain candidates or policies, potentially violating the spirit – and letter – of Costa Rica’s constitutional protections against foreign interference. This case highlights the growing scrutiny of El Salvador’s assertive foreign policy under Bukele, particularly in the context of regional elections. The outcome of this appeal could set a precedent for future interactions between Costa Rica and foreign leaders during election periods.
Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves announced that Bukele would inspect the progress of the High Containment Center for Organized Crime (Cacco), a $35 million prison inspired by the Salvadoran model. The Cacco is designed to hold 5,100 inmates, with 1,200 in individual modules.
The construction of Cacco comes amid a rise in homicides in Costa Rica, which currently stand around 900 annually, with 70% attributed to clashes between drug trafficking gangs. Last December, Chaves visited El Salvador and toured the BLIND, Bukele’s mega-prison for gang members. In November 2024, Bukele visited Costa Rica, touring the La Reforma prison and warning about signs of crime similar to those in his country.
In September, Bukele released a video message supporting the continuation of the Chaves Government’s projects, a message subsequently used in the campaign by official candidate Laura Fernandez. “If the next Administration gives continuity to the projects of this Government, I have no doubt that the best days of Costa Rica are yet to come, a safer and more prosperous Costa Rica,” Bukele said in the video.
Costa Rica’s Constitution explicitly prohibits foreign influence in political campaigns, aiming to protect the integrity of its electoral process.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
