Latin America Advisor

Andrés León Araya, director of the Center for Research and Political Studies at the University of Costa Rica: “The initial showings of Rodrigo Chaves’ government present a vertical line of command and a clear pro-business agenda. In his inaugural address, Chaves was emphatic on how his government would be one of ‘historical change’ to ‘rescue a democracy.’ However, among the country’s main problems, he failed to include the rising levels of inequality that place Costa Rica well above the OECD’s average and the severe crisis that the public sector (particularly health and education) is going through. His first decree was to eliminate mandatory masking, amid rising levels of Covid cases and against the recommendation of the National Association of Doctors. Also, Chaves mentioned just before taking office that he would not sign the Escazú Agreement, as it would hinder the attraction of foreign investment…”