Costa Rica President Fernández Sends Sweeping Anti-Crime Reform To Congress

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Published on Monday, June 15, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

President Laura Fernández-Delgado on Monday presented to Congress in San José a sweeping package of reforms to Costa Rica’s Criminal Procedure Code and prison system, proposing tougher penalties for criminals, stricter treatment of repeat offenders and new measures aimed at combating organized crime and drug trafficking.

According to the Presidential House, Fernández unveiled the proposal alongside Congressional President and fellow party member Yara Jiménez, Minister of the Presidency and former President Rodrigo Chaves, Public Security Minister Gerald Campos and other senior government officials.

The legislation, titled the Gerson Rosales-Cascante National Security Law, is named in honor of the police officer who died in May after being shot by two individuals while conducting a routine patrol in Batán Canton, Limón Province.

Authorities arrested three suspects in connection with the killing. Prosecutors allege the suspects are members of a criminal organization operating in the Batán area.

Among its key provisions, the anti-crime package would establish a legal presumption that an armed response by a police officer constitutes legitimate self-defense.

The proposal would also create a new criminal offense punishable by one to six years in prison for membership in a criminal organization, even when no additional crime can be directly attributed to the individual.

In addition, the measure would establish prison sentences ranging from three to eight years for individuals who organize to commit crimes and would incorporate terrorism-related offenses into Costa Rican law.

The reform package would require judges to order pretrial detention for repeat offenders who commit multiple crimes before facing trial. It would also mandate the maximum sentence for individuals who commit a new offense within 15 years of a previous conviction.

Under the proposal, repeat offenders would be classified into four categories:

Simple Recidivism: Individuals who commit a new crime within 15 years of a previous offense.

Qualified Recidivism: Individuals whose new offense is linked to organized crime.

Habitual Recidivism: Individuals who accumulate three convictions within 15 years and then commit another crime.

Professional Criminal: Individuals who have three or more criminal convictions and subsequently commit another offense.

Those convicted under the repeat-offender provisions would be ineligible for prison benefits that allow inmates to complete their sentences before serving the full term imposed by the court.

The restriction would also apply to individuals convicted of homicide, sexual offenses, drug trafficking, femicide, terrorism, money laundering and human trafficking.

The proposal further seeks to establish a prison employment system requiring inmates to work in paid jobs within correctional facilities as a condition for qualifying for sentence-reduction benefits.

Under the plan, wages earned by inmates would be distributed as follows:

35% to the prison system.

35% to the families of crime victims.

20% to support the inmate’s family.

10% deposited into a savings fund for the inmate.

The reform package would also increase prison sentences from five to 10 years for property owners or tenants who permit the construction of unauthorized airstrips or access roads that enable aircraft to land and take off and could be used for drug trafficking operations.

Authorities would also be authorized to permanently confiscate equipment and machinery used to build illegal airstrips. Property owners would be prohibited from selling, leasing or transferring the affected property for one year, with the possibility of extending the restriction.

In addition, property owners would be required to prove in court that they were not involved in the construction of the airstrip. Failure to do so could result in charges of participating in a criminal organization engaged in drug trafficking.

The proposal would also create a public registry identifying individuals convicted of murder, with their information remaining publicly accessible indefinitely.

Murder convictions would also remain on Costa Rica’s criminal records system for 15 years. The document, commonly known as the criminal registry, is routinely required when applying for employment in Costa Rica.

The bill will be reviewed by lawmakers in the coming days. If approved, it will proceed through the legislative process and become law.

The legislative package follows a series of recent security initiatives announced by Fernández's administration.

In May, Fernández announced the creation of a new task force coalition known as the Elite Force, designed to strengthen Costa Rica’s efforts against crime and organized criminal groups.

Fernández began her 2026-2030 administration on May 1 and immediately signed three presidential decrees addressing prison sentencing, legislative procedures and cabinet appointments, signaling what she described as a tougher approach to crime and government reform.

At 36, Fernández is one of the youngest presidents in Costa Rican history and the second woman elected to the country’s highest office, following Laura Chinchilla-Miranda, who served as president from 2010 to 2014.

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What is the biggest challenge Costa Rica faces in reducing crime? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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