In her speech, Fernández referred to the case of three members of the criminal gang “Los Marujas” in Cartago, who, despite having been arrested by the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) with hundreds of doses of drugs, weapons, and criminal records, were released by judge Ana Laura García Delgado. The president demanded: “With how hard it is to catch them, with how hard it is to get them a conviction, and that they have the nerve to set them free.” Fernández highlighted that this gang has been operating in the province for more than twenty years, accumulating dozens of violent acts.
The president also pointed out the national concern regarding impunity for crimes committed in prisons. She mentioned that, although introducing cell phones into penal centers is a punishable crime, the Prosecutor’s Office has opted to impose administrative sanctions, which, according to Fernández, sends the wrong message to society and encourages the continuation of criminal practices from within prisons.
Laura Fernández criticized the Costa Rican Judiciary for the release of criminals and the lack of efficient punishments for serious crimes.
During her speech, Laura Fernández pointed directly at the highest authorities of the Judiciary: “Ms. Patricia Solano, you are failing this country. Mr. Rolando Aguirre, the president of the Judiciary, you are failing Costa Rica and I have to tell you this, because I am the representative of this people elected at the polls. Both of you should seriously consider stepping aside. And if you can no longer do it, give the space to someone else with fresh blood who can take command of the Judiciary”. The official emphasized that this is not a personal attack, but rather an alert regarding a situation she considers serious for public safety.
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Fernández demanded answers regarding the reasons behind the release of criminals and questioned whether judges are acting under pressure, threats, or corruption. “This people deserves for the Judiciary to tell us if the judges who are releasing criminals are doing so because they were corrupted, because they are being threatened, or both. But it is not acceptable that day after day they let them go free and no one gives this country an answer, because your salary and mine are also paid by the people of Costa Rica,” he stated in his speech.
The president made an emphatic call to the Legislative Assembly to exercise its function of political control: “I call upon the Legislative Assembly, which is the one responsible for exercising parliamentary political control over the supreme powers. They should be calling to account the president of the Judiciary, Magistrate Solano, and these prosecutors who, day in and day out, are letting high-level criminals go free in the country,” she stated during her weekly conference.
During the conference, Laura Fernández highlighted the effort made by the Government regarding security, managing resources, promoting laws, and coordinating with police forces. She insisted that, despite state efforts, the actions of the Judiciary weaken the sense of justice and security among the population. “It is not fair that the good people of Cartago and the entire country have to live locked in their homes out of fear while criminals are walking free,” the president expressed.
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Fernández concluded his speech by reiterating the need for the country to act firmly: “We are still in time for Costa Rica not to fall off a cliff.” His call seeks for the different institutions to assume the responsibility of guaranteeing justice and security to the citizenry, amidst a crisis that has generated social alarm throughout the country.
