QCOSTARICA Legislators on Tuesday approved in the second and final debate the bill that sanctions the practice of "gota-a-gota" loans (loansharking) with up to 15 years in prison. Gota-a-gota loans are informal loans provided outside of the traditional financial system, where the terms and interest rates can be adjusted at the discretion of the…
QCOSTARICA Drug violence and homicides would continue to rise in 2024 if there is no change in legislation that allows hitmen (sicarios in Spanish) to be put behind bars, warns President Rodrigo Chaves. To achieve this, criminal regulations must be modified to apply a “hard-handed policy” to restrict the granting of prison benefits, such…
QCOSTARICA The wave of unparalleled violence in Costa Rica, with the majority murders being for hire or 'Sicariato' in Spanish, has prompted lawmakers to take action. One legislator, David Segura, of the Nueva Republica, presented a bill to harden prison sentences against the Sicariato. Specifically, Segura proposes to create the figure of 'Sicariato' in…
QCOSTARICA The government of Rodrigo Chaves finally gave in with respect to the reduction of the 2024 Marchamo, ruling out stopping the initiative or a veto by the president, indicated Elli Feinzaig, of the Partido Liberal Progresista (PLP). On Wednesday, the Ministry of Finance only introduced formal motions and did not request changes in…
QCOSTARICA - On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Chaves appointed Mario Zamora as the new Ministro de Seguridad (Minister of Security), ending speculations and rumors on the appointment following the resignation of Jorge Torres on Monday. The departure of vice ministers Daniel Calderón, Martín Arias and Flora Bogantes was also announced, positions that will be assumed by…