No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveCosta Ricans perceive their country as most corrupt in Central America

Costa Ricans perceive their country as most corrupt in Central America

Just as fighting poverty and going green have become buzz words in political circles, tackling corruption has taken root here as a popular effort as well.

A leading political party rose to power on a platform promising to rid the government of malefactors. Public prosecutors initiated substantial cases against two former presidents on accusations of fraud. And more people, from both within and outside of government, are looking to derail those who have used their power for personal gain.

“We´ve seen a growth in the concern over corruption,” said Jorge Vargas, deputy program director for the State of the Nation, which framed a recent report on the study of corruption in Central America.

According to the study, Costa Ricans have a higher awareness of corruption in their government than citizens of other Central American countries. Twenty-three percent of Costa Ricans surveyed said they are aware of some act of corruption taking place over the proceeding 12 months – which is almost double that of any other Central American country. Twelve percent of Salvadorans said they knew of incidences of corruption and 6 percent of Panamanians answered in the affirmative to the same question.

But measuring corruption is not an easy task, said Costa Rican Chief Prosecutor Francisco Dall´Anese, as it comes in many forms; public and private, large-scale and in modicum, national and international.

The study did measure the per capita expenditure on corruption cases in the justice system and found that Costa Rica registered $28.3 spent on such cases per resident, compared to runners up El Salvador at $19.1 and Panamá at $12.3.

But variables such as the lack of any legal framework to protect witnesses who report acts of corruption and the differences between the laws and legal systems of each country make the figures harder to read.

“When you ask, what is the country with the most corruption in the world? It´s difficult to answer because we don´t know where (the country) is coming from or where it needs to go,” Dall´Anese said, explaining that there are no established benchmarks. “Therefore, we need further study.”

Dall´Anese did say he expects more conversation on the topic in the coming years.

“I think we are going through a transition now, in which corruption will no longer be accepted,” he said.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Tops Latin America in Attracting Foreign Millionaires

Costa Rica is a country that attracts millionaires. Projections indicate that by the end of 2025, a total of 350 foreign millionaires will have...

A Closer Look at the Elusive Purple Gallinule in Costa Rica

Quick! Think of a purple bird! It’s a little difficult, right? I searched my brain and came up with a purple martin. A small...

Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano Park Reopening to Tourists With Safety Measures

The Poás Volcano National Park will reopen its doors to tourism starting July 30, after  scientific entities reported a decrease in volcanic activity. This was...

Venezuelan Migrants Describe Torture After Deportation to El Salvador

“You’re going to rot in here. You’ll spend 300 years in prison.” That’s what Maikel Olivera says guards repeatedly told him during his four-month...

Why I Choose Real Life in Costa Rica Over the AI Hype

When it comes to AI, call me OG. Old school. I sometimes wish I could go back to a time before it existed. Artificial...

Starbucks Expands in Guanacaste with New Store Opening in Tamarindo

Starbucks continues to strengthen its presence in Costa Rica with the opening of its second store in the province of Guanacaste, specifically in Tamarindo....
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica