Costa Rica's legislature twice failed to reach the 38 votes needed to lift President Chaves's immunity; he then became a cabinet minister under his successor

On 22 September 2025 a majority of Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly voted to lift Rodrigo Chaves's immunity so he could face a prosecutor's extortion charge over a $32,000 payment tied to a BCIE-funded communications contract, but fell short of the 38 votes required. On 16-17 December 2025 a second request, from the electoral tribunal over alleged use of his office to campaign, got 35 votes in favour and 21 against, again short of the threshold.