Police in Costa Rica arrested a 21-year-old man suspected of pulling the trigger in the June 2025 killing of Roberto Samcam, a retired Nicaraguan military officer living in exile. The capture marks a key step in the investigation into a crime that opposition figures link to the Nicaraguan government.
Officials detained the suspect, identified only by his last names Carvajal Fernández, early Tuesday in San Isidro, a town on the northern outskirts of San José. Michael Soto, director of the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), confirmed in a statement that the man likely fired the shots that killed Samcam. “This arrest helps us clarify the role of the direct perpetrators,” Soto said.
Authorities seized two firearms from the suspect: a 9mm pistol and an AR-15 rifle. Soto noted that the weapons will undergo forensic testing to determine if they connect to the murder or other crimes. The suspect now faces charges of aggravated homicide, according to Costa Rica’s Attorney General Carlo Díaz.
Samcam, 66, died from multiple gunshot wounds on June 19, 2025, at his home in a San José suburb. The attacker posed as a delivery person to gain entry to the gated community and fired at least eight times before fleeing on a motorcycle. Samcam’s wife, Claudia Vargas, witnessed the attack and later described it to local media.
Four other suspects were arrested in September 2025 during raids in San José and nearby areas. They included individuals believed to have planned the logistics, such as scouting the location and providing transportation. One acted as an intermediary between the shooter and those who allegedly ordered the hit. All remain in custody, with the investigation focusing on their connections.
Nicaraguan opposition members in exile point to President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, as the intellectual authors of the murder. Samcam had openly criticized the Ortega administration since fleeing Nicaragua in 2018 amid widespread protests that left over 300 dead, according to United Nations reports. He often spoke to the press about government repression and human rights abuses.
Vargas posted on Facebook after the latest arrest, stating that the probe will lead to the true masterminds, even if it means crossing borders to reach “the dictators.” A UN expert panel report from last year did not rule out involvement by Nicaragua’s government or military in the killing.
Díaz mentioned in a 2025 interview that one theory suggests the Nicaraguan army ordered the hit. However, Costa Rican officials have stressed that the current focus remains on the material perpetrators, with intellectual authorship a more complex matter requiring international cooperation.
The murder highlighted tensions between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, as thousands of Nicaraguans have sought refuge in Costa Rica since the 2018 crackdown. Samcam, a former Sandinista major, had turned against the regime and become a prominent voice for change.
With this arrest, investigators believe they have all five members of the operational group in custody. Soto indicated that further analysis of evidence, including phone records and witness statements, will help build the case. The suspect attempted to flee during a routine police check but crashed his vehicle into a ditch, leading to his capture.
Prosecutors plan to present the case in court soon, aiming for a trial that could shed light on the full scope of the conspiracy. Opposition groups continue to call for accountability beyond the borders, urging international bodies to investigate potential state involvement.
Costa Rica’s government has not commented directly on the political implications, maintaining that the judicial process will proceed based on evidence. The case remains open as authorities work to connect the dots between the executors and any higher-level planners.
