Rodrigo Chaves Robles

Chaves Robles was born in the metropolitan district of Carmen, in the central canton of San José, on 10 June 1961. He obtained a B.S., M.A., and Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Ohio State University.{{cite web |title=AEDE Alums Robert M. McClelland, Dr. Rodrigo A. Chaves and Joseph A. Shultz to be Honored by the CFAES Alumni Society |url=https://aede.osu.edu/news/aede-alums-robert-m-mcclelland-dr-rodrigo-chaves-and-joseph-shultz-be-honored-cfaes-alumni |access-date=5 May 2022 |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525151851/https://aede.osu.edu/news/aede-alums-robert-m-mcclelland-dr-rodrigo-chaves-and-joseph-shultz-be-honored-cfaes-alumni |url-status=live }} Before his appointment as minister, he worked as the World Bank country director for Indonesia and countries of the Americas, Europe and Asia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.presidencia.go.cr/comunicados/2019/11/rodrigo-chaves-robles-asume-ministerio-de-hacienda/|title=Rodrigo Chaves Robles asume Ministerio de Hacienda|access-date=2 August 2020|website=Presidencia de la República de Costa Rica|language=es|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920053431/https://www.presidencia.go.cr/comunicados/2019/11/rodrigo-chaves-robles-asume-ministerio-de-hacienda/|url-status=live}}

In 1992, before completing his Ph.D., the Institute for International Development at Harvard University offered him a four-month fellowship to conduct field research on poverty, rural poverty, microenterprise, and medium enterprise in Indonesia. When he finished his doctorate, the World Bank offered him a job for the publication of his research.{{Cite web |last=García |first=Javier Cataño |date=25 February 2022 |title=What You Need to Know about Costa Rica's April 3 Presidential Elections |url=https://latinarepublic.com/2022/02/25/what-you-need-to-know-about-costa-ricas-april-3-presidential-elections/ |access-date=22 March 2022 |website=Latina Republic |language=en-US |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226101502/https://latinarepublic.com/2022/02/25/what-you-need-to-know-about-costa-ricas-april-3-presidential-elections/ |url-status=live }}

Chaves announced that he made the decision to retire as a World Bank official and return to Costa Rica because he considered that if he had requested a leave of absence, there could be a conflict of interest due to the conversations he had to have with that organization as part of his ministerial management. However, in August 2021, when the results of an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against Chaves were made public, it was reported that it could be the reason for his resignation from the World Bank. The World Bank's administrative tribunal noted that an internal investigation found that from 2008 to 2013, Chaves made unwelcome comments about physical appearance, repeated sexual innuendo and unwelcome sexual advances toward multiple bank employees. Those details were repeated by the bank's human resources department in a letter to Chaves, but it decided to sanction him for misconduct rather than sexual harassment. Chaves denied all accusations of sexual harassment.{{Cite web |last=José |first=AP in San |date=2022-04-04 |title=Rodrigo Chaves wins Costa Rica election amid sexual harassment allegations |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/04/costa-rica-presidential-election-rodrigo-chaves |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413122311/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/04/costa-rica-presidential-election-rodrigo-chaves |url-status=live }}

The president of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado Quesada, announced Chaves as the new Minister of Finance on 30 October 2019; however, it was not until 26 November of that year that he took office and indicated that his priorities would be to ensure compliance with fiscal laws, increase the collection of existing taxes, combat tax evasion and continue with the containment of public spending.{{cite web |url=https://TeleticaRadio.com/videos/malas-compa%C3%B1%C3%ADas-29-de-noviembre-2019/419178489037156/ |title=Malas Compañías - 29 de noviembre, 2019 |language=en |access-date=2 August 2020}}

In February 2020, Chaves presented a bill to the Legislative Assembly to use the surpluses of public institutions to pay the debt.{{Cite web|url=https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/6-entidades-publicas-avalan-plan-de-gobierno-para-pagar-deuda/|title=6 entidades públicas avalan plan de Gobierno para pagar deuda|access-date=2 August 2020|website=CRHoy.com|language=es|archive-date=25 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325155454/https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/6-entidades-publicas-avalan-plan-de-gobierno-para-pagar-deuda/|url-status=live}}

During that same month, Chaves made changes in the hierarchies of the institution, for which the deputy minister of income, Vladimir Villalobos González, resigned; the General Director of Taxation, Carlos Vargas Durán, the General Director of Customs, Juan Carlos Gómez Sánchez, and the director of the Fiscal Police, Irving Malespín Muñoz, also tendered their resignations.{{Cite web|url=https://semanariouniversidad.com/pais/ocho-cambios-sacuden-la-cupula-del-ministerio-de-hacienda/|title=Ocho cambios sacuden la cúpula del Ministerio de Hacienda|access-date=2 August 2020|website=semanariouniversidad.com|date=14 February 2020|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807211547/https://semanariouniversidad.com/pais/ocho-cambios-sacuden-la-cupula-del-ministerio-de-hacienda/|url-status=live}}

On 26 March 2020, during the health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chaves announced to the media a proposal to collect a solidarity tax on public and private wages in excess of 500,000 colones in order to obtain resources to support people whose contract had been suspended, their working hours had been reduced, or they were left without work as a result of the measures adopted by the Government to stop contagion. After criticism from some sectors, Alvarado ruled out such an idea.{{Cite web |url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/rodrigo-chaves-ha-sido-descalificado-dos-veces-por-carlos-alvarado |title=Rodrigo Chaves ha sido "descalificado" dos veces por Carlos Alvarado |access-date=2 August 2020 |website=www.larepublica.net |language=es |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809191241/https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/rodrigo-chaves-ha-sido-descalificado-dos-veces-por-carlos-alvarado |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.columbia.co.cr/noticias/economia/politica-nacional/15346-presidente-desautoriza-propuesta-de-ministro-de-hacienda-de-crear-impuesto-solidario-a-salarios-de-500-mil |title=Columbia - Presidente desautoriza propuesta de Ministro de Hacienda de crear impuesto solidario a salarios de ₡500 mil |access-date=2 August 2020 |last=Romero |first=Fernanda |website=www.columbia.co.cr |language=es-es}} The Minister of Communication, Nancy Marín, told the press that: "The President has been clear that Mr. Rodrigo should not have made that announcement. It was never contemplated that it go to salaries of 500,000 colones. The minister should not have made that announcement. [It was not a decision made] in the terms in which he presented it."{{Cite web|url=https://observador.cr/noticia/gobierno-reconoce-que-si-valora-impuesto-solidario-a-salarios-de-mas-de-un-millon/|title=Gobierno reconoce que sí valora impuesto "solidario" a salarios de más de un millón|access-date=2 August 2020|last=Gómez|first=Tomás|date=27 March 2020|website=El Observador CR|language=es-CR}}

On 22 April 2020, the director of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), Mario Devandas, publicly denounced that the Minister of Finance had said in a meeting in which Alvarado participated that "nothing could be done to save the Fund, because the country could not go bankrupt to save it".{{Cite web|url=https://www.elpais.cr/2020/04/22/costa-rica-no-puede-quebrar-para-salvar-a-la-ccss-de-crisis-financiera-advirtio-ministro-de-hacienda/|title=Costa Rica no puede quebrar para salvar a la CCSS de crisis financiera, advirtió ministro de Hacienda|access-date=2 August 2020|last=Elpais.cr|website=Diario Digital Nuestro País|date=23 April 2020|language=es|archive-date=1 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601190300/https://www.elpais.cr/2020/04/22/costa-rica-no-puede-quebrar-para-salvar-a-la-ccss-de-crisis-financiera-advirtio-ministro-de-hacienda/|url-status=live}}

On 19 May 2020, Chaves published a letter asking Alvarado to veto the law approved that day by Congress that excluded municipalities from the fiscal rule created by Law 9635. Alvarado refused and Chaves responded by submitting his resignation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/ministro-de-hacienda-sera-operado-de-apendicitis/|title=Ministro de Hacienda será operado de apendicitis|access-date=2 August 2020|website=CRHoy.com|language=es|archive-date=8 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608113529/https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/ministro-de-hacienda-sera-operado-de-apendicitis/|url-status=live}}

{{Main|2022 Costa Rican general election}}

In July 2021 Rodrigo Chaves announced his candidacy for the Presidency of the Republic of Costa Rica.{{Cite web|url=https://delfino.cr/2021/07/exministro-de-hacienda-rodrigo-chaves-lanza-su-candidatura-a-la-presidencia|title=Exministro de Hacienda, Rodrigo Chaves, lanza su candidatura a la presidencia|access-date=8 February 2022|website=delfino.cr|language=es|archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208172056/https://delfino.cr/2021/07/exministro-de-hacienda-rodrigo-chaves-lanza-su-candidatura-a-la-presidencia|url-status=live}}

As part of his campaign, the Chaves-led Social Democratic Progress Party sought to combat corruption by punishing those who do not report acts of misconduct. Chaves stated he was in favor of transparency between the government and the press, universities and citizens, and that he planned to foster it through a daily report of the activities carried out by public institutions. His plan regarding unemployment involved encouraging more women to join the workforce and to raise the number of STEM graduates in response to the growing demand. He also supported bilingual education and promised to welcome foreign businesses to Costa Rica. To top off his campaign, he proposed a five-step plan to lower the cost of living. The five step plan involved removing taxes from basic food and household items, lowering the price of rice, lowering the price of electricity, eliminating monopolies and supporting farmers to import more efficient agrochemicals. He also said that he did not support mandatory COVID-19 vaccination.

He favours a strict ban on abortion, including in cases of rape, and is opposed to euthanasia and same-sex marriages (although these have been allowed in Costa Rica since 2020).{{Cite web |title=Regressive Wave for Women in Central America |url=https://www.wola.org/analysis/regressive-wave-women-central-america/ |access-date= |website=WOLA |language=en-US |archive-date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428235236/https://www.wola.org/analysis/regressive-wave-women-central-america/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Debate: 4 de 7 candidatos rechazan aborto en casos de violación {{!}} Crhoy.com |url=https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/debate-4-de-7-candidatos-rechazan-aborto-en-casos-de-violacion/ |access-date= |website=CRHoy.com {{!}} Periodico Digital {{!}} Costa Rica Noticias 24/7 |language=es |archive-date=1 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201190208/https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/debate-4-de-7-candidatos-rechazan-aborto-en-casos-de-violacion/ |url-status=live }}

Reuters reported that Chaves had carved out an anti-establishment reputation.{{Cite news |date=2 March 2022 |title=Costa Rica election poll shows Chaves gaining ground over ex-president |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/costa-rica-election-poll-shows-chaves-gaining-ground-over-ex-president-2022-03-02/ |access-date=22 March 2022 |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322205447/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/costa-rica-election-poll-shows-chaves-gaining-ground-over-ex-president-2022-03-02/ |url-status=live }} Rotsay Rosales, a political scientist and head of the National Policy Observatory of the University of Costa Rica, said, "Chaves has a liberal economic position, is socially conservative, pro-law and order and against the political class."{{Cite news |date=7 February 2022 |title=Ex-president heads into Costa Rica run-off, ex-finance minister likely awaits |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-costa-rica-election-idUSKBN2KB054 |access-date=22 March 2022 |archive-date=6 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206074437/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-costa-rica-election-idUSKBN2KB054 |url-status=live }}

On the night of 6 February, it was announced that Rodrigo Chaves was to face former president José María Figueres Olsen of the PLN party, in a second electoral round to be held on 3 April.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tse.go.cr/vr2022/#/presidenciales|title=Resultados Electorales 2022|access-date=8 February 2022|website=www.tse.go.cr|archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208161528/https://www.tse.go.cr/vr2022/#/presidenciales|url-status=live}} Several polls for the second round placed Chaves in first place ahead of Figueres.{{Cite web |last=Alessandro Solis |date=3 March 2022 |title=Costa Rica 2022 Election Update: Chaves Surpasses Figueres in the Polls |url=https://news.outlierlegal.com/2022/03/03/costa-rica-2022-election-update-chaves-surpasses-figueres-in-the-polls/ |access-date=22 March 2022 |website=Outlier Legal Services |language=en-US |archive-date=18 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418102807/https://news.outlierlegal.com/2022/03/03/costa-rica-2022-election-update-chaves-surpasses-figueres-in-the-polls/ |url-status=live }} On 3 April, Chaves' victory over Figueres was announced by the press.{{Cite web|url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/rodrigo-chaves-gana-la-presidencia-y-deja-al-pln-en-coma|title=Rodrigo Chaves gana la presidencia y deja al PLN en coma|access-date=4 April 2022|archive-date=4 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404022549/https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/rodrigo-chaves-gana-la-presidencia-y-deja-al-pln-en-coma|url-status=live}} Speaking to supporters in San José, Chaves said he accepted his victory with humility, and urged Figueres to help him move the country forward. Figueres quickly conceded defeat after results came in, telling supporters: "I congratulate Rodrigo Chaves, and I wish him the best." On Twitter, incumbent president Carlos Alvarado Quesada said he had called to congratulate Chaves and pledged an orderly handover of power.{{Cite news |last1=Oré |first1=Diego |last2=Murillo |first2=Alvaro |date=2022-04-04 |title=Costa Rica elects maverick Chaves as president in break with establishment |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/costa-ricans-choose-between-outsider-former-leader-presidential-vote-2022-04-03/ |access-date=2022-04-04 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411160324/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/costa-ricans-choose-between-outsider-former-leader-presidential-vote-2022-04-03/ |url-status=live }}

During his presidential campaign, Chaves came under scrutiny for using a private trust to finance his campaign, which may be illegal under Costa Rican law requiring campaign funds to be managed through political parties' bank accounts, leading to questions about the transparency and legality of his campaign.{{Cite web |title=Financiamiento paralelo de campaña de Rodrigo Chaves está siendo investigado por la fiscalía |url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/financiamiento-paralelo-de-campana-de-rodrigo-chaves-esta-siendo-investigada-por-la-fiscalia |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=www.larepublica.net |language=es}} This controversy has led to frequent clashes with the press, which he has accused of bias and of trying to sabotage his candidacy.{{Cite web |last=Infobae |first=Por Newsroom |date=2022-04-04 |title=Who is Rodrigo Chaves, the controversial economist who will be president of Costa Rica |url=https://www.infobae.com/en/2022/04/04/who-is-rodrigo-chaves-the-controversial-economist-who-will-be-president-of-costa-rica/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=infobae |language=es-ES}} The controversy intensified when it was revealed that the Costa Rican Attorney General's Office had launched an investigation into the origin and use of these funds.{{Cite web |title=Fiscalía de Costa Rica investiga a presidente Rodrigo Chaves – DW – 17/08/2023 |url=https://www.dw.com/es/fiscal%C3%ADa-de-costa-rica-investiga-a-presidente-rodrigo-chaves/a-66555299 |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=dw.com |language=es}}

{{update section|date=December 2023}}

Chaves took office on 8 May 2022 and became the 49th president of Costa Rica. He was sworn in with a bible in his hand and stated in his inaugural speech that "the fear of God is the basis of a ruler's wisdom".{{Cite web |date=4 April 2022 |title=Rodrigo Chaves Pronounced Winner of the 2022 Elections in Costa Rica |url=https://www.entornointeligente.com/rodrigo-chaves-pronounced-winner-of-the-2022-elections-in-costa-rica/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404041057/https://www.entornointeligente.com/rodrigo-chaves-pronounced-winner-of-the-2022-elections-in-costa-rica/ |archive-date=4 April 2022 |access-date=4 April 2022 |website=EntornoInteligente |language=es}}

{{Main|2022 Costa Rican cyberattack}}

After a month - starting on April 17 - of crippling ransomware attacks against the former government and its replacement, newly-elected President Chaves declared a state of emergency, in order to deal with the cyber attacks.{{Cite web |title=Costa Rica declares state of emergency following Russian-speaking criminal 'cyber terrorism' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/costa-rica-declares-state-of-emergency-following-russian-speaking-criminal-cyber-terrorism-12609215 |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=Sky News |language=en |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513145909/https://news.sky.com/story/costa-rica-declares-state-of-emergency-following-russian-speaking-criminal-cyber-terrorism-12609215 |url-status=live }} The declaration said the attacks were "unprecedented in the country" and that it interrupted the country's tax collection and exposed citizens’ personal information. Leon Weinstok, the director of the Costa Rica office of the law firm BLP, who specializes in cybersecurity law, said the attacks had severely affected the country's ability to function.{{Cite web |title=Costa Rica declares state of emergency over ransomware attack |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/costa-rica-declares-state-emergency-ransomware-attack-rcna28415 |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=NBC News |first=Kevin |last=Collier |date=2022-05-11 |language=en |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513145904/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/costa-rica-declares-state-emergency-ransomware-attack-rcna28415 |url-status=live }} The Russian-speaking Conti gang had claimed responsibility for the cyber attacks. The US state department had in response offered a $10m reward for information leading to the identification or location of Conti leaders.

Chaves eliminated pandemic-related obligatory use of masks in public spaces and issued a decree that urged public institutions not to sanction officials who had not been vaccinated against COVID-19, reversing his predecessor's policy.{{Cite web |last=José |first=AP in San |date=2022-05-12 |title=Costa Rica declares national emergency amid ransomware attacks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/12/costa-rica-national-emergency-ransomware-attacks |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513145904/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/12/costa-rica-national-emergency-ransomware-attacks |url-status=live }} He also promised there would be an investigation into the contracts signed by the previous government.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2022-08-03|title=Costa Rica elimina obligatoriedad de vacuna anticovid e investigará compras|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/coronavirus-costa-rica_costa-rica-elimina-obligatoriedad-de-vacuna-anticovid-e-investigar%C3%A1-compras/47802060|access-date=2022-08-11|language=es|website=Swissinfo.ch|archive-date=11 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811081044/https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/coronavirus-costa-rica_costa-rica-elimina-obligatoriedad-de-vacuna-anticovid-e-investigar%C3%A1-compras/47802060|url-status=live}}

Believing that the fight against global warming is not a priority, he refuses to ratify the Escazú agreement, in order to "reassure the private sector." The agreement, drafted in 2018, endorsed the right of access to information of citizens on environmental issues and their participation in relevant decision-making. He also announced that he wanted to revive the exploitation of mining, gas and oil resources.{{cite web | url=https://www.americaeconomia.com/costa-rica-no-ratificara-acuerdo-de-escazu | title=Retrocede Costa Rica en su política ambiental?: Presidente electo no ratificará el Acuerdo de Escazú | date=4 May 2022 | access-date=3 August 2022 | archive-date=15 August 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815235516/https://www.americaeconomia.com/costa-rica-no-ratificara-acuerdo-de-escazu | url-status=dead }}

One of Chaves' most controversial proposals during his presidency has been the "Jaguar Law to Boost Costa Rica's Development" which seeks to reform several key government structures, including the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic.{{Cite web |last=Mateo |first=Don |date=2024-07-31 |title=Costa Rica's Ley Jaguar: A Referendum on Democracy or Populist Ploy? |url=https://ticotimes.net/2024/07/31/costa-ricas-ley-jaguar-a-referendum-on-democracy-or-populist-ploy |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=The Tico Times {{!}} Costa Rica News {{!}} Travel {{!}} Real Estate |language=en-US}} The law proposes to limit the powers of the Comptroller General, far out of reach and headed by the same person for a surprising number of years, in the prior review of public contracts, allowing it to intervene only after expenditures have already been made. Critics, including Comptroller Marta Acosta, argue that this reform could weaken controls over the use of public funds, negatively affecting the efficiency and legality of the use of state resources.{{Cite web |title=Contraloría presenta consulta a Sala IV sobre nueva versión del proyecto de ley jaguar {{!}} Crhoy.com |url=https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/contraloria-presenta-consulta-a-sala-iv-sobre-nueva-version-del-proyecto-de-ley-jaguar/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=CRHoy.com {{!}} Periodico Digital {{!}} Costa Rica Noticias 24/7 |language=es}}

Criticism focuses on the fact that the Jaguar Law could significantly weaken the control and oversight mechanisms for public spending.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-05 |title=Contraloría consulta "Ley Jaguar" a Sala IV; alega que es ilegal aplicar referendo al proyecto • Semanario Universidad |url=https://semanariouniversidad.com/pais/contraloria-consulta-ley-jaguar-a-sala-iv-alega-que-es-ilegal-aplicar-referendo-al-proyecto/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=semanariouniversidad.com |language=es}} The Comptroller General and some civil society organizations have expressed concern that the elimination of these controls could represent a setback in the fight against corruption and transparency in the use of public resources. In addition, academics and governance experts have pointed out that the reduction of controls could facilitate corrupt practices and the misuse of public funds, negatively affecting confidence in state institutions.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-25 |title=Sala IV notifica sentencia completa de consulta sobre referéndum a la Asamblea Legislativa que la espera para votar convocatoria • Semanario Universidad |url=https://semanariouniversidad.com/pais/sala-iv-notifica-sentencia-completa-de-consulta-sobre-referendum-a-la-asamblea-legislativa-que-la-espera-para-votar-convocatoria/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=semanariouniversidad.com |language=es}}

Over the first two years in government, Chaves has personally attacked newspapers La Nacion and [https://CRHoy.com CRHoy] and their journalists.{{Cite web |title=Libertad de prensa en Costa Rica: un modelo bajo ataque – DW – 31/07/2023 |url=https://www.dw.com/es/libertad-de-prensa-en-costa-rica-un-modelo-en-am%C3%A9rica-latina-bajo-ataque-presidencial/a-66400834 |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=dw.com |language=es}} He has mobilized the power of the Ministry of Health to close an event center owned by La Nacion's parent company, these actions are currently under investigation by the attorney general's office.{{Cite web |title=Rodrigo Chaves y Mary Munive atacan al Poder Judicial tras allanamientos por cierre ilegal de Parque Viva |url=https://delfino.cr/2024/09/rodrigo-chaves-y-mary-munive-atacan-al-poder-judicial-tras-allanamientos-por-cierre-ilegal-de-parque-viva |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=delfino.cr |language=es}}{{Cite web |last=Murillo |first=Álvaro |date=2023-12-20 |title='Don't play with me or I'll decapitate you': The recordings that embittered the end of the year for Costa Rica's president |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-12-20/dont-play-with-me-or-ill-decapitate-you-the-recordings-that-embittered-the-end-of-the-year-for-costa-ricas-president.html |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=EL PAÍS English |language=en-us}} During weekly press conferences, Chaves personally attacked and mocked individual journalists that have been critical of his government,{{Cite web |last=Condega |first=Xavier |date=2024-09-13 |title=UCR califica como vergonzosa y autoritaria actitud de Chaves hacia periodistas en conferencia de prensa |url=https://elmundo.cr/costa-rica/ucr-califica-como-vergonzosa-y-autoritaria-actitud-de-chaves-hacia-periodistas-en-conferencia-de-prensa/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=El Mundo CR |language=es-CR}}{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Tico |date=2024-09-13 |title=Media Tensions Rise as Costa Rica Government Mocks Reporters |url=https://ticotimes.net/2024/09/13/media-tensions-rise-as-costa-rica-government-mocks-reporters |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=The Tico Times {{!}} Costa Rica News {{!}} Travel {{!}} Real Estate |language=en-US}} even using his bodyguards to remove journalists from a press conference.{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Paula |date=2024-09-11 |title=Video {{!}} Escoltas del presidente custodiaron a periodistas durante conferencia de prensa de este miércoles |url=https://observador.cr/video-escoltas-del-presidente-custodiaron-a-periodistas-durante-conferencia-de-prensa-de-este-miercoles/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=El Observador CR |language=es}}

Chaves' government authorized logging in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Mixed Wildlife Refuge in the Southern Caribbean of Costa Rica.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-13 |title=Diputados acuerdan investigar permisos estatales en Gandoca-Manzanillo |url=https://www.teletica.com/politica/diputados-acuerdan-investigar-permisos-estatales-en-gandoca-manzanillo_365064 |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Teletica |language=es-ES}} These logging permits were given to Pacheco Dent, a friend and neighbor of the president, in defiance of earlier rulings by the Supreme Court that declared that area was protected under environmental laws.{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Tico |date=2024-09-01 |title=Logging Permit Probe Highlights Environmental Risks in Costa Rica |url=https://ticotimes.net/2024/08/31/logging-permit-probe-highlights-environmental-risks-in-costa-rica |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=The Tico Times {{!}} Costa Rica News {{!}} Travel {{!}} Real Estate |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Sala IV confirma desobediencia del Minae a sentencia sobre Gandoca-Manzanillo |url=https://delfino.cr/2024/09/sala-iv-confirma-desobediencia-del-minae-a-sentencia-sobre-gandoca-manzanillo |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=delfino.cr |language=es}}

In February 2025, Chaves' government agreed to receive 200 migrants renditioned from the United States and to detain them at the Temporary Migrant Care Center, known by its Spanish acronym CATEM, pending their repatriation.{{Cite news |last=Arroyo |first=Allan |date=2025-04-05 |title=12 personas chinas deportadas por EE.UU. ya salieron del Catem para instalarse en Costa Rica al pedir refugio |url=https://observador.cr/12-personas-chinas-deportados-por-ee-uu-ya-salieron-del-catem-para-instalarse-en-costa-rica-al-pedir-refugio/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |work=El Observador Costa Rica}}

In a press release, the Ombudsman's Office of Costa Rica criticized the manner in which the migrants were treated upon arrival. Some migrants reported to observers that their passports were seized. Translators were not made available, so it could not be communicated to migrants where they were going. According to observers, adequate medical and psychological care were also not provided, especially to the many children among the renditioned migrants.“[https://www.dhr.go.cr/informacion_relevante/comunicados/2025/febrero/023_Defensoria_fallas_abordaje_atencion_personas_deportadas.pdf Reporte de observación activa de Defensoría en aeropuerto: Defensoría identificó fallas en abordaje para atención de personas deportadas.]” La Defensoría de los Habitantes de Costa Rica (Ombudsman’s Office of Costa Rica). 2025-02-21. Retrieved 2025-04-20.

Costa Rican authorities have made attempts to reestablish custody over migrants who have escaped from CATEM, though others were permitted to leave the facility after formally seeking asylum in Costa Rica.

• {{Flag|Panama}}:
• 60px Collar of the Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero (23 August 2024)https://www.presidencia.gob.pa/publicacion/presidente-de-costa-rica-es-condecorado-con-la-maxima-orden-nacional-manuel-amador-guerrero {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}
• {{flag|Ukraine}}:
• 60px First Class of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (23 August 2024){{cite web |title=УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №576/2024 |url=https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/5762024-51873 |website=www.president.gov.ua |access-date=27 August 2024 |archive-date=24 August 2024 |language=uk-uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824084753/https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/5762024-51873 |url-status=live }}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Rodrigo Chaves}}

• [https://www.cidob.org/biografias_lideres_politicos/america_central_y_caribe/costa_rica/rodrigo_chaves_robles Biography by CIDOB] (in Spanish)

{{s-start}}

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef|before=Rocío Aguilar Montoya}}

{{s-ttl|title=Minister of Finance|years=2019–2020}}

{{s-aft|after=Elián Villegas Valverde}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-bef|before=Carlos Alvarado Quesada}}

{{s-ttl|title=President of Costa Rica|years=2022–Present}}

{{s-non|reason=Incumbent}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-ppo}}

{{s-new|party}}

{{s-ttl|title=PPSD nominee for President of Costa Rica|years=2022}}

{{s-inc|recent}}

{{s-end}}

{{Presidents of Costa Rica}}

{{Heads of state of republics}}

{{Heads of State in Central America}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chaves Robles, Rodrigo}}

Category:Living people

Category:1961 births

Category:Government ministers of Costa Rica

Category:Politicians from San José, Costa Rica

Category:Finance ministers of Costa Rica

Category:Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences alumni

Category:Presidents of Costa Rica