Published on Thursday, May 1, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Monday, May 1, Costa Rica marks the Workers' Day Holiday and the annual selection of the president of Costa Rica’s Congress, Asamblea Legislativa.

Rodrigo Arias Sánchez of the National Liberation Party was re-elected as president of Congress for the fourth consecutive term, securing 33 votes in favor of his candidacy. Arias, who first assumed the role in 2022, will continue in the position for another one-year term.

Arias, a lawyer by profession, previously served as Minister of the Presidency during both administrations of his brother, former President and 1987 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Óscar Arias, who held office from 1986 to 1990 and again from 2006 to 2010.

In recent developments, former President Arias reportedly had his U.S. visa revoked.

Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly is composed of 57 deputies elected through a closed party-list proportional representation system by province. Deputies serve four-year terms; the current term spans from May 1, 2022, to April 30, 2026. These lawmakers were elected in the general elections held in February 2022.

Several members of the current legislature have recently come under scrutiny after the United States government revoked their visas.

In March, Congressman José Francisco Nicolás Alvarado confirmed that his U.S. visa had been canceled.

In February, Congresswomen Johanna Obando and Cinthya Córdoba were also notified of visa revocations.

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What should be the new Congressional president’s first order of business? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com