RICO’s Q (Opinion): During his first term, Rodrigo Chaves often called his political rivals, critics, and opposing institutions “communists” or part of a “radical and communist” group, using the label broadly against opposition parties like Frente Amplio, established political factions, and parts of the judiciary.
In his current government, though he hides behind the role of Minister of the Presidency and Minister of Finance, nothing has changed, continue to call the Judiciary, which is made up of the Supreme Court, judges, prosecutors, and agents of the OIJ (Organismo de Investigación Judicial), allies of the “communists” to conspire against him.
Some words, however, through overuse, have begun to lose their meaning.
The word “communist” no longer describes an ideology, but is used as a propaganda weapon to discredit and polarize.
In reality, one would have to be quite naive to believe that all magistrates, judges, prosecutors, and OIJ agents in Costa Rica are “communists” and participate in a conspiracy against Rodrigo Chaves and Doña Laura, in the role of President.
So:
- Is the judge who admits evidence against Rodrigo Chaves a communist?
- Is the prosecutor, Attorney General, head of the OIJ, who investigates a possible crime committed by Rodrigo Chaves a communist?
- Is the journalist who exposes the corruption of Rodrigo Chaves’s government a communist?
- Is the legislator who opposes the obstruction of the Constitutional Court justices a communist?
Rodrigo Chaves and Laura Fernández are more interested in discrediting people with the “communist” label than in providing solutions to major national problems.
Meanwhile, the cost of living in Costa Rica is rising, new taxes, including taxing the “canasta basica’, a staple of the poor in the country, are being proposed.
Waiting lists at the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) are growing, with frequent news headlines “patient given an appointment for important surgery in 203 something.
The agricultural sector is in crisis. The construction sector remains stagnant. Free trade zones are shrinking. CCSS contributors are decreasing. The fiscal deficit is increasing. Public debt is rising.
Can we blame all the foregoing on communists? Is President, sorry, Super Minister Chaves right?
No, we cannot blame these complex economic and structural issues on communists. Costa Rica does not have a communist government or a communist-controlled economy.
Costa Rica is at a critical crossroads. Finding ways to keep the economy moving forward despite outside pressures is more important than ever.
What we really need are leaders and real answers. Throwing insults won’t get us anywhere.
This article was redacted with notes from Libertad Y Propiedad II.