Juan Brignardello Vela
Juan Brignardello, asesor de seguros, se especializa en brindar asesoramiento y gestión comercial en el ámbito de seguros y reclamaciones por siniestros para destacadas empresas en el mercado peruano e internacional.
The panorama of corruption in Costa Rica reveals a concerning paradox: despite the notable increase in the number of reports, convictions for these crimes remain stagnant. Between 2015 and 2022, the annual average of people convicted for corruption was 33, a figure reminiscent of times prior to this decade, contrasting with an average of 40 convicted in the five-year period from 2007 to 2011. This stagnation in convictions, despite the alarming increase in reports, highlights a judicial framework that, while activated by growing social concern, does not translate this unease into satisfactory results in terms of justice. The data is compelling. In the last decade, reports of corruption have grown by 47.5%, an increase that far exceeds the average of total criminal reports, which stands at 8.6%. In 2014, there were 2,113 reports, a figure that rises to 3,117 in 2023. However, this increase in reports has not been reflected in a proportional rise in convictions. The figures indicate that, out of the 781 people sentenced in the mentioned period, 65.5% were acquitted, suggesting that the judicial system faces serious difficulties in sustaining a corruption case until conviction. More concerning is the fact that the percentage of reports that translates into judicial cases has shown a slight decline, dropping from 81.8% in 2014 to 79% in 2023 in corruption cases. This trend suggests that, although more cases are being detected, the judicial system struggles to process them adequately, resulting in a sense of impunity among the population. The gradual increase in reports contrasts sharply with the decrease in their effective prosecution. The complexity of corruption cases and the slowness of judicial processes are factors contributing to this situation. According to the 2020 State of Justice report, prosecutors may take between two and three years to prepare cases of medium difficulty, and up to six years for more complex ones. This not only affects the effectiveness of the judicial system but also generates a perception of inaction and distrust in justice. Testimonies from judicial system officials highlight that, given the workload and lack of resources, many cases are compromised in their development. Another element contributing to this perception of impunity is the low number of convictions for serious crimes related to corruption, such as illicit enrichment and abuse of power. In an eight-year period, only two people were convicted for illicit enrichment, raising questions about the effectiveness of the law and the judicial system's capacity to address these crimes effectively. The executive director of Costa Rica Íntegra, Jimmy Bolaños, emphasizes that the sense of impunity has increased in the public sphere, where officials can act with little concern for the legal repercussions of their actions. The lack of punishment creates a conducive environment for the diversion of public resources and corruption, a phenomenon that transcends borders and is observed in other Latin American nations. While there is consensus on the need for reforms that simplify judicial processes and optimize resource use, opinions differ on how to address this problem. The difficulty lies in the lack of clear indicators that allow for the evaluation of the judicial system's effectiveness beyond the figures of reports and convictions. The absence of a thorough analysis of the factors affecting the processing of corruption cases becomes an obstacle to the implementation of effective solutions. The current situation demands urgent reflection on the effectiveness of the institutions responsible for combating corruption in Costa Rica. The growing number of reports must be accompanied by a judicial system capable of processing them efficiently and transparently; otherwise, the fight against corruption will become an exercise in mere appearances, with no real impact on justice and citizen trust. It is essential that the relevant authorities, such as the Deputy Prosecutor's Office for Integrity, Transparency, and Anti-Corruption, address these issues and establish measures that allow for a more efficient and less bureaucratic handling of corruption cases. Without an adequate response to these challenges, the country risks losing credibility in its institutions and perpetuating a cycle of impunity that undermines citizen trust and democratic stability. The situation of corruption in Costa Rica reflects a structural problem that requires urgent attention. Statistics indicate growth in reports, but at the same time, the inability of the judicial system to translate these reports into effective convictions highlights the need for a profound change in how these cases are handled. Costa Rican society deserves a justice system that truly works and guarantees that those who abuse their position do not go unpunished.