Costa Rica's President Chaves' Jaguar plan rejected again

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Published on Thursday, October 3, 2024
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Constitutional Chamber rejected, for the second time, the President Rodrigo Chaves-Robles' bill "Referendum Law to Promote the Development of Costa Rica," known as the Jaguar Plan.

The Constitutional Chamber (officially designated as Sala IV), comprising 12 substitute magistrates from Costa Rica's Supreme Court of Justice, examined the document and concluded that the plan includes unconstitutional clauses.

The magistrates unanimously agreed that Jaguar Plan clauses 4 and 5 are constitutionally flawed and are against the current Constitution of Costa Rica Law, which is the body of law governing the interpretation and implementation of the country constitution.

The magistrates found these parts unlawful, even though the government made several adjustments to the original plan, which was also rejected by the Chamber in June.

The fourth clause of the Jaguar Plan aimed to reform the General Law of Government Agreements (Law Nº. 9986 Ley General de Contratación Pública), in the segment that regulates the purchase or leasing of real estate assets. The magistrates rejected the proposed amendment because it disobeyed the law.

The fifth clause of the Jaguar Plan intended to modify the law that regulates the Board of Port Management and Economic Development of the Atlantic Coast, which is the organization in charge of managing the Limón Province ports. That item likewise goes against the law according to the magistrates.

The Constitutional Chamber is expected to submit its conclusions on the Jaguar Plan to Congress in the coming days.

The bill requires 29 of Congress's 57 deputies' votes to pass. After evaluating the decision, lawmakers will vote on approve it or reject it.

At press time on Wednesday, the government has not addressed to the Constitutional Chamber's rejection of the Jaguar Plan.

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Should President Chaves continue to pursue his Jaguar Plan until Congress approves it? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com