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Weekly Report - 20 August 2026 (WR-26-33)
COSTA RICA: New secrecy decree fans concerns
A decree issued on 10 August by Costa Rica’s conservative President Laura Fernández, which classifies a range of security-related information as a state secret, is proving contentious. The new Fernández government, which took office in May, has made tackling insecurity its main priority as Costa Rica is facing record homicides [WR-26-04]. It maintains the decree is necessary to prevent the leaking of information which could put at risk the work of judicial and police authorities in their efforts to combat criminality. However, critics warn that the decree could limit access to information of public interest and hinder journalistic work. This comes at a time when Costa Rica, traditionally one of the region’s strongest democracies, is already sliding down the press freedom rankings.
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