RICO’s Q — “I don’t have proof, but I have no doubts either.” With that admission, former Costa Rican union leader and legislator Óscar Campos released a video addressed to Attorney General Carlo Díaz, publicly urging the Attorney General to prepare information concerning Rodrigo Chaves, raising the possibility that Chaves could leave the country.
Campos, a vocal critic of Chaves and his political allies, made the remarks on Tuesday amid social media rumors about the United States revoking visas and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) potentially taking action against Costa Rican public figures.
“A message for Carlo Díaz: He should prepare information regarding the former president, who also serves as minister of finance and minister of the presidency, because the embassy has neither confirmed nor denied the situation,” Campos said.
His comments came only hours after the U.S. Embassy in San José addressed claims circulating online. The embassy said it was aware of “false posts” alleging that the State Department had revoked the visas of current Costa Rican officials and described the claims as “false rumors.” It also reminded the public that only official U.S. government accounts are authorized to speak on its behalf.
Despite the embassy’s statement, Campos suggested that Chaves might leave—or flee—the country.
“It is possible that the gentleman from Monterán (Chaves) might decide to leave the country,” Campos said. He then called on authorities to remain alert: “The Prosecutor’s Office and the DEA should be notified in case they need to carry out any proceedings beforehand, so that an operation is not thwarted.”
Campos added, “Cowards flee, and we know that well.”
Addressing Díaz once more, he said it was “quite possible” that the Monterán resident would leave Costa Rica if the situation worsened.
The remarks come amid a heated political dispute between Chaves’s supporters and opposition groups. His allies have portrayed Campos’s comments as an attempt to damage Chaves’s reputation, especially after the U.S. Embassy rejected the visa-revocation rumors.
Chaves’s supporters also argue that his direct clashes with Costa Rica’s traditional political establishment have unsettled longtime political figures and party organizations.
Campos did not present evidence that Chaves was preparing to leave the country. He also provided no proof of an arrest warrant, planned DEA action, or pending legal operation involving Chaves.
xxx“I don’t have the proof, but I have no doubts either”: Óscar Campos calls for alerting the Fiscalía (Prosecutor’s Office) and the DEA (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration) regarding a suspected trip by Rodrigo Chaves.
The political stir in Costa Rica—fueled by rumors of the United States revoking visas and potential DEA action against Costa Rican figures—saw a new development on Tuesday when former legislator Óscar Campos issued a public warning to Attorney General Carlo Díaz concerning former President Rodrigo Chaves.
Campos, a critic of Chaves and the ruling administration, made these statements despite expressly acknowledging that he lacks evidence to back up his claims.
“I don’t have the proof, but I have no doubts either,” Campos stated at the start of his message, before addressing the Attorney General directly.
“A message for Carlo Díaz: he should prepare information regarding the former President—who also served as Minister of Finance and Minister of the Presidency—because the embassy has neither confirmed nor denied the situation,” he said.
However, Campos’s remarks came just hours after the U.S. Embassy in San José publicly addressed the stories circulating on social media.
The diplomatic mission noted it was aware of “false posts” claiming the State Department had revoked the visas of sitting Costa Rican officials and dismissed these claims as “false rumors.” It also reminded the public that only official U.S. government accounts speak on behalf of the government.
Despite that statement, Campos insisted on raising the possibility that Chaves might leave—or even flee—the country.
“But it is possible that the gentleman from Monterán (Chaves) might decide to leave the country,” the former legislator said, before calling on authorities to be vigilant regarding potential legal actions.
“And, well, to alert the Prosecutor’s Office and the DEA in case they need to carry out any proceedings beforehand—so that it doesn’t end up being a thwarted operation,” he stated.
Campos continued his message with a remark aimed at the president: “Because cowards flee, and we know that well.” Finally, he addressed Carlo Díaz again, stating: “So, a message for Carlo Díaz: it is quite possible that the resident of Monterán will leave the country if the situation worsens.”
These statements come amidst a fierce political confrontation between opposition factions and supporters of the administration. Pro-Chavista circles have interpreted such messages as a sign of desperation among the opposition to damage Rodrigo Chaves’s image—particularly following the U.S. Embassy’s rebuttal of rumors regarding visas.
These same circles also maintain that “Rodrigo Chaves is driving them crazy,” noting that the former president has engaged in direct confrontation with the traditional political class and has publicly challenged figures and party structures that governed Costa Rica for decades.
However, the former legislator’s own words confirm that he presented no evidence of an impending departure by Chaves, nor of any DEA action or arrest warrant.
Friction between Campos and Chaves
The political relationship between former Costa Rican legisaltor Oscar Campos and former president Rodrigo Chaves is highly confrontational, marked by severe public accusations and legal controversies.
The friction dates back significantly to early 2026, when the national intelligence services, the Dirección de Inteligencia y Seguridad Nacional (DIS), presented evidence of an alleged plot to harm Chaves.
Reports claimed that the plot involved hiring a hitman and establishing an “emergency” replacement government. Chaves publicly referenced the plot during a press conference, naming Campos as one of the figures involved. In response, Campos and his party, the Partido Nueva Generación (PNG), vehemently denied the claims, calling them a “montage” and a fictional “novella” designed to distract the public from crucial agricultural issues.