On October 7, 2025, Costa Rica found itself at the center of a political storm as the nation’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) made a bold move, asking the National Assembly to strip President Rodrigo Chaves of his immunity. The reason? The tribunal alleges that Chaves has been using his presidential platform to meddle in the country’s upcoming elections, a charge that has sent ripples through the country’s political landscape and beyond, according to the Associated Press.
This latest request from the TSE comes hot on the heels of a historic moment just two weeks prior. On September 22, 2025, Costa Rica’s National Assembly took a vote that, for the first time in the country’s history, considered whether to lift the immunity of a sitting president. The aim then was to allow prosecution of Chaves on separate corruption charges. However, the Assembly ultimately fell short of the supermajority required to move forward, leaving Chaves shielded from prosecution — at least for the time being.
The TSE’s new petition is not about the earlier corruption allegations, but rather focuses on accusations that President Chaves has repeatedly violated Costa Rica’s strict rules prohibiting public officials from participating in or even referencing issues related to the election. At the heart of the matter is Chaves’ public support for his party’s candidate in the upcoming presidential election, scheduled for February 1, 2026. The electoral court claims that this support crosses the line from acceptable political engagement into outright interference, a serious charge in a country that prides itself on clean and transparent elections.
According to the Associated Press, the tribunal’s statement was clear: Chaves has been backing his party’s candidate for the February 2026 vote, and in doing so, has allegedly overstepped the boundaries set for public officials during the sensitive pre-election period. While the specifics of the alleged violations have not been detailed in the public statements, the TSE’s decision to formally request the lifting of presidential immunity underscores the gravity with which they view the situation.
President Chaves, for his part, did not immediately issue a public response to the TSE’s request on Tuesday. However, he has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to the corruption charges that sparked the earlier immunity vote. In those instances, Chaves has consistently maintained that he is the target of a politically motivated prosecution, a sentiment he has expressed openly. As reported by the Associated Press, Chaves has said, “I am the victim of a politically motivated prosecution.”
The timing of the TSE’s request is striking. It comes mere weeks after the National Assembly’s historic vote on September 22, which itself was a watershed moment for Costa Rican democracy. That vote marked the first time lawmakers had ever considered stripping a sitting president of immunity, highlighting both the seriousness of the allegations against Chaves and the evolving nature of the country’s political institutions. While the Assembly ultimately failed to reach the supermajority threshold required to proceed, the mere fact that such a vote took place has set a new precedent in Costa Rican politics.
The earlier attempt to lift Chaves’ immunity was prompted by a request from Costa Rica’s Supreme Court, which sought to prosecute him on corruption charges. Those charges, like the current allegations of election meddling, have been fiercely contested by Chaves and his supporters. Throughout these proceedings, Chaves has maintained his innocence, insisting that the accusations are part of an orchestrated campaign to undermine his presidency.
Observers both inside and outside Costa Rica have noted the unusual confluence of legal and political battles now swirling around the president. The back-to-back requests from the country’s highest courts — first the Supreme Court on corruption, now the Supreme Electoral Tribunal on election interference — suggest a judiciary that is increasingly willing to assert its authority, even at the highest levels of government. For many Costa Ricans, this is both a sign of democratic strength and a source of anxiety about the country’s political stability in the months leading up to the 2026 election.
It’s worth noting that Costa Rica has long enjoyed a reputation as one of Latin America’s most stable and democratic nations. The country abolished its military in 1948 and has since invested heavily in education, health care, and the rule of law. Yet, as the events of the past few weeks have shown, even the region’s most robust democracies are not immune to political turmoil.
The stakes in this unfolding drama are high. If the National Assembly were to grant the TSE’s request and strip President Chaves of his immunity, it would open the door to criminal prosecution and could potentially upend the country’s electoral process just months before voters go to the polls. On the other hand, if the Assembly once again declines to act, critics may argue that the president is being allowed to flout the law with impunity, undermining public trust in the country’s institutions.
Chaves’ public support for his party’s candidate in the upcoming election has become a lightning rod for controversy. While it’s not unusual for sitting presidents to endorse their party’s nominees, Costa Rican law draws a firm line between personal political opinions and the official use of government resources or influence. The TSE’s complaint suggests that, in their view, Chaves has crossed that line — a charge that, if proven, could have serious consequences for both the president and the broader political system.
For now, the ball is in the National Assembly’s court. Lawmakers must decide whether to heed the TSE’s call and lift Chaves’ immunity or to leave the president protected from prosecution. It’s a decision that will be watched closely not just in Costa Rica but across the region, as other countries grapple with their own challenges to democratic norms and the rule of law.
As the February 2026 election approaches, the eyes of the world will remain fixed on San Jose, waiting to see how Costa Rica navigates this unprecedented test of its democratic institutions. Whether the Assembly acts or not, the events of the past few weeks have already made history — and the outcome could shape the country’s political future for years to come.
