Analysis of laws to confront the progress of crime in Costa Rica

Costa Rica ended 2023 as the most violent year in its entire history, with a total of 907 homicides, or 17.2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, which means an increase of 38.6 percent compared to 2022.

After the return of the Christmas and New Year holidays, lawmakers approved a reform that limits the application of the parole benefit only to those who have served two-thirds of their sentence.

Current legislation indicates that any convicted person can request parole from a judge as long as half of the sentence imposed on him has been served, but with the approved project, he must serve two-thirds of the sentence for certain types of crimes.

By 51 votes to zero, this reform was approved, which also stipulates that those guilty of crimes such as simple and parole murder, rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, robbery, kidnapping for ransom and other crimes of similar gravity will not be able to Access to the benefit is only for those who have only a third of their sentence remaining.

It also includes the killing of women and those who have not complied with the Law on Combating Organized Crime and in relation to narcotics, psychotropic substances, drugs for unauthorized use and related activities, money laundering and financing of terrorism.

At the same time, a new committee is meeting with representatives of the state forces that began their duties at the beginning of last December to address the state of insecurity and crime that the country is experiencing.

The new group was formed after several disagreements between the government and Congress over how to address the security issue.

Teams of advisors composed of Presidential Secretary Natalia Díaz, Actress Gloria Navas and a representative of the Public Ministry will also work with them.

Poem / Alp