Costa Rica's security director says plot to assassinate president
uncovered
[January 14, 2026]
By JAVIER CORDOBA
SAN JOSÉ,
Costa Rica (AP) — Costa Rica’s national security chief on Tuesday
revealed details of an alleged plot to assassinate President Rodrigo
Chaves ahead of presidential and legislative elections. |
Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves speaks during a news conference
regarding the seizure of four tons of drugs, at an air base in San Jose,
Costa Rica, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Diaz, File) |
|
Jorge Torres, director of the Intelligence and National Security
Directorate, told journalists about the plot allegations as he
prepared to file a formal complaint at the public prosecutor's
office.
“What we received is confidential information that I would like
to put on record in the complaint. I don’t want to go into
detail, but I would simply like to tell you that it concerns the
life of the president of the Republic,” Torres told local media.
Torres said a call was received from a woman who reported a
supposed plot against Chaves, adding a payment had been made to
a hitman. Torres also reported that security was being
reinforced for the conservative populist leader, who has sought
to present himself as a politician who is tough-on-crime.
Torres spoke as El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who has
gained fame for his controversial security crackdown, was
scheduled to visit the country.
On Wednesday, Chaves is scheduled to lay the cornerstone of a
new “ mega-prison ” that Costa Rica plans to build, modeled on a
facility built by Bukele.
Costa Rica will hold presidential and legislative elections on
Feb. 1. While Chaves is ineligible to run for reelection, the
ruling party’s Laura Fernández is among the presidential
candidates.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
|
