President Rodrigo Chaves-Robles revealed Wednesday that he will travel to the United States next week to undergo surgery for a noncancerous prostate condition.


The president made the announcement during a news conference at Casa Presidencial, in San José, following his weekly Cabinet meeting.


Chaves said he plans to travel between Oct. 19 and 25 for a procedure to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, an enlargement of the prostate gland that can make urination difficult.


The condition occurs when the prostate grows and compresses the urethra, leading to urinary problems such as difficulty urinating, a weak stream, or frequent urges to urinate.

“I’m going to have an operation to deal with an issue most men my age face, benign prostatic hyperplasia,” Chaves told reporters. “Thank God there are no signs of cancer or anything like that. It just makes it difficult to urinate. It’s uncomfortable, so I’m going to get it fixed.”

Chaves said he chose to have the procedure in the United States because his nephew, a doctor, will perform the surgery. It will take place at a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

He added that all expenses will be covered by his private health insurance.

Chaves expects to resume his official duties on Oct. 29.

During his absence, Second Vice President Mary Denisse Munive-Angermüller will serve as acting president. She will assume the role because First Vice President Stephan Lars Andreas Brunner-Neibig resigned in August to run in the February 2026 Presidential Election.