{
  "id": 7569397,
  "title": "Thousands demonstrate in Costa Rica over proposed legal reforms",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/thousands-demonstrate-in-costa-rica-over-proposed-legal-reforms-7569397",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T13:10:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/09/15/thousands-demonstrate-in-costa-rica-over-proposed-legal-reforms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tens of thousands of citizens marched in Costa Rica, opposing President Laura Fernandez's proposed judicial reforms, which they fear could erode democratic values. Protesters, adorned in national colors and carrying lanterns, convened in San Jose's central Morazan Square, chanting \"democracy\" as they rallied for the separation of powers. Fernandez, a right-wing leader elected in May, promised to combat the rising crime rates that have plagued the once-safe Central American nation. She also vowed to tighten the judiciary's budget and suggested giving the legislature authority to appoint the attorney general. The judiciary's budget cuts and the proposal to appoint the attorney general by the legislature have led to a surge in tensions between the branches of power. Former judge Carol Vinda, 53, lamented the unprecedented interference, saying, \"We have never experienced a situation like this, and there has never been such interference between the branches of power.\" Manuel Chavez, a 73-year-old retiree, echoed similar sentiments, calling for the defense of democracy and denouncing the government's attempt to consolidate all power. Demonstrators unfurled placards reading \"Long live Costa Rica\" and \"Democracy yes,\" while another placard read, \"For respect of the powers of the Republic.\" Former President Rodrigo Chaves, who was barred from running for a second term due to the constitution, was appointed as a super-minister in Fernandez's so-called \"government of continuity.\" Costa Rica, once a beacon of stability and democracy in Central America, has recently transformed into a major hub for the regional drug trade, leading to a sharp increase in the murder rate. Fernandez has cited the iron-fisted approach of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele as a potential solution to the crime problem. Bukele presides over El Salvador, which has recently implemented an absolute power regime and, since launching a war on gangs in 2022, has incarcerated thousands of suspected gang members without charges.",
  "summary": "President Laura Fernandez has sought to cut the judiciary's budget and supports giving the legislature the power to appoint the attorney general.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Thousands demonstrate in Costa Rica over proposed legal reforms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/thousands-demonstrate-in-costa-rica-over-proposed-legal-reforms",
        "published": "2026-09-15T13:10:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}