Former Cybercrime prosecutor Esteban Aguilar confirmed that he will seek to become the next Attorney General of the Republic, once the Supreme Court of Justice opens the competition to appoint the person who will hold the position after the expiration of the current term of Carlo Díaz, scheduled for next October 31.
The aspiration was confirmed by Aguilar in statements given to the program No Mientas El Show, where he assured that he has the experience and the necessary credentials to lead the Public Ministry.
“There is an absolute interest on my part in being able to manage this institution transparently and to provide prompt and full justice to all Costa Ricans,” he stated.
The lawyer recalled that his interest in occupying the position is not recent, but rather that he announced it publicly at the beginning of this year.
“I must indicate that this is correct, just as I did publicly at the beginning of this year 2026,” he/she pointed out.
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Aguilar explained that the expiration of Carlo Díaz’s appointment will force the Full Court to open a public competition, unless the magistrates decide to re-elect the current attorney general for a new term.
“This will necessarily imply that a public tender must be opened, in the event that he, as I hope does not happen, is appointed again for an additional term by the magistrates,” he stated.
Likewise, he indicated that he will formally present his candidacy so that it may be analyzed by the Supreme Court of Justice.
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“It is my right, as well as that of other people who have the credentials to be able to participate, to submit them so that they can be reviewed by the Full Court and that it is ultimately this body that makes the decision on who will occupy the future position of Attorney General of the Republic,” he expressed. Interview with Gabriel Aguilar where he expressed his desire to aspire to the position of Attorney General of Costa Rica. Credit: La Octava TV
A candidacy in the midst of a confrontation with Carlo Díaz
Aguilar’s intention to lead the Public Ministry occurs in a context of growing differences with the current attorney general.
Last week, the former prosecutor filed an administrative complaint with the Judicial Inspection against Carlo Díaz and the president of the Third Chamber, Patricia Solano, for alleged political belligerence and possible violations of the Judiciary’s conflict of interest regulations.
In the management, Aguilar requested an investigation into whether various public statements made by both judicial officials compromised the duty of impartiality required by the jurisdictional function. Regarding Carlo Díaz, he questioned statements related to the country’s political situation, references to former President Rodrigo Chaves, the ruling party, and the future of the Legislative Assembly, considering that they could be interpreted as opinions incompatible with the neutrality that the Attorney General must maintain.
The complaint also refers to statements made by magistrate Patricia Solano regarding the country’s economic performance, which, according to Aguilar, also merit an investigation to determine if they constitute a possible disciplinary infraction. As part of the evidence, he requested the preservation of interviews, journalistic publications, and audiovisual records containing the statements of both officials.
That has not been the only public difference between Aguilar and Díaz. Since his departure from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the former prosecutor has repeatedly denounced having been a victim of persecution and workplace harassment during the administration of the current attorney general, accusations that have been rejected by Díaz.
Esteban Aguilar’s candidacy emerges days after he denounced Attorney General Carlo Díaz and Magistrate Patricia Solano for alleged political belligerence and potential conflicts of interest.
The decision will be in the hands of the Full Court
The selection of the next attorney general corresponds exclusively to the Full Court, composed of the 22 titular magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice.
The magistrates must decide, before the expiration of the current term, whether they choose to re-elect Carlo Díaz or if they appoint a new leader to head the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the coming years.
The process acquires special relevance because the attorney general is the highest authority of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and is in charge of directing criminal prosecution policy, coordinating the country’s prosecutor’s offices, and institutional representation in high-impact investigations.
So far, Aguilar is one of the first figures to publicly confirm his intention to compete for the position. However, it is expected that once the contest is open, other prosecutors and lawyers who meet the legal requirements will also submit their candidacies.
The Supreme Court must define the appointment no later than October 31, the date on which Carlo Díaz’s constitutional term as Attorney General of the Republic concludes.
Esteban Aguilar is the brother of the current Minister of Justice and Peace, Gabriel Aguilar.
