SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica — A new extradition agreement between Costa Rica and the United States is raising hopes—and doubts—about its potential to blunt the rising tide of drug trafficking and organized crime in the region.
While hailed as a step toward stronger international cooperation, past experiences in neighboring countries suggest the impact may be limited.
President Rodrigo Chaves signed a constitutional amendment in late May authorizing the extradition of Costa Rican nationals accused of international drug trafficking and terrorism.
The reform, which passed with broad support in the Legislative Assembly—receiving 44 out of 57 votes—marks a significant shift in Costa Rica’s approach to transnational crime.
The measure comes amid growing concern over the judiciary’s ability to prosecute high-profile cases effectively.
Between 2019 and 2023, the number of judicial corruption cases more than doubled. In June 2024 alone, 20 state employees were arrested in a single week—more than half of them from the court system.
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According to Osvaldo Ramírez Miranda, sub-chief of the Section Against Organized Crime at the Judicial Investigation Organism (OIJ), the amendment aims to improve national and international cohesion.
“This reform was promoted by all branches of government—from the Constitutional Court to the Legislative Assembly—as part of a broader national security agenda.” Osvaldo Ramírez Miranda.
The amendment aligns Costa Rica with other Latin American nations that already extradite their citizens, correcting what officials described as a longstanding gap in judicial reciprocity.
For years, foreign nationals—particularly from Colombia and Mexico—had acquired Costa Rican citizenship to shield themselves from prosecution abroad.
“This reform closes a major loophole,” said Mario Brenes, former Latin America regional advisor for the Friedrich Naumann Foundation. “Criminals would become Costa Ricans and use constitutional protections to avoid justice. Now, that door is shut.”
Still, experts warn the agreement may offer only a partial solution. Ramírez noted that the amendment targets only drug trafficking and terrorism, leaving other forms of organized crime—such as cyber fraud, extortion, and human trafficking—beyond its scope.
Moreover, the reform does little to address deeper structural issues, including rising drug demand abroad and limited legal employment opportunities at home. Such limitations have undercut similar efforts elsewhere.
In Ecuador, voters approved a comparable constitutional reform in April 2024. Yet violence remains rampant, with January registering 781 homicides—the deadliest month in recent years.
Ecuador has become a key cocaine transit point, linking production zones in Colombia and Peru to global markets.
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Colombia’s extradition policy, in place since 1997, has helped dismantle major cartels, but not without unintended consequences.
For example, the 2008 extradition of “Don Berna” sparked turf wars in Medellín, doubling the city’s homicide rate.
More recently, the Gulf Clan retaliated after its leader, “Otoniel,” was extradited in 2022, further destabilizing the region.
Mexico, which resisted extraditing nationals until 1995, has since extradited over 1,300 people to the U.S. But despite deepening cooperation, organized criminal groups have expanded their influence, now controlling an estimated 10–30% of the country’s territory.
Honduras amended its constitution in 2012 to permit extradition, resulting in the removal of key figures, including former President Juan Orlando Hernández and former police chief Juan Carlos Bonilla. Yet corruption and violence persist.
In 2023, the country’s homicide rate stood at 31 per 100,000—the eighth highest globally. A nationwide state of emergency, declared in 2022 to curb extortion, remains in effect after 15 extensions.
Despite the uncertain outlook, Costa Rican officials view the reform as a crucial tool in closing legal loopholes and enhancing international coordination.
Whether it delivers meaningful change remains to be seen. “The real test,” Ramírez said, “will be whether this legal change translates into long-term improvements in security and justice.”
