The president of Costa Ricathe right Laura Fernandezissued this Friday by decree a new regulation which eliminatesprison benefits” that reduce prison time of those deprived of liberty, in one of the first acts of Government aligned with their promise to have tough on crime.
“With this there will be no doubt that the prison year is 360 calendar daysno more pandering that (the year of) prison is eight months“He expressed during a brief session of the Governing Council after the ceremony investment.
With this new regulation “the judges they won’t have space to interpret in fewer days a year the sentence for those who take away our peace and they steal our security“said the head of state.
“I warned you, we do not want Costa Rica to the organized crime or drug trafficking. Therefore, from this moment on, the prison year will be 360 calendar days“said Fernández.
The new Fernandez Governmentwho took office this Friday for the period 2026-2030, has not yet made public the text of the decree.
During his speech investmentFernández maintained that he will promote a reform “deep” of the State to build a “new Costa Rica” and that an important part of achieving this change will be to apply “firm hand” against organized crime.
The president also indicated that in the coming months she will inaugurate a “mega jail” for 5 thousand prisoners inspired by the Salvadoran model of Nayib Bukeleand that will also establish a Command and Control Center (C5) security to combat organized crime.
Fernández sent to the Legislative Assembly a package of bills for the construction of a City Government that brings together government buildings; another for the construction of a marina and cruise terminal in the province of Lemon (Caribbean), and another initiative for the exploration and exploitation of open pit mining in Crosses (northern area).
During her administration, the president will have 31 pro-government deputies of a total of 57 that make up Congress, which allows it to have a simple majority, greater than the 29 votes required to approve the projects called.
For renovation projects State or constitutional, the president will need to negotiate with the opposition to achieve the support of two thirds of the Legislativethat is to say, 38 votes.
Fernández also swore in the new cabinet headed by the outgoing president, Rodrigo Chaveswho will serve as minister of the Presidency and of Tax authoritiestwo of the most strategic portfolios in the Executiveand what the opposition has described as a attempt to concentrate power.
Present at the investiture ceremony were representatives of 71 international delegations and featured cultural events and prayers evangelical and Catholic leaders of the country.