Costa Rica Passes Law Targeting Contract Killings

Costa Rica's lawmakers just took a major stand against organized crime, and they did it together.

All 42 deputies in the Legislative Assembly voted unanimously to create a new crime specifically for contract killings, known locally as sicariato. The move sets prison sentences between 20 and 40 years for anyone who commissions, agrees to, or carries out a murder as part of a criminal organization.

The change matters because Costa Rica has seen its homicide rate climb to record levels in recent years. Drug trafficking disputes and gang violence have transformed what was once one of Central America's safest countries into a nation grappling with organized crime.

Before this law, contract killings fell under general homicide charges with a maximum sentence of 35 years. Now prosecutors have a sharper tool to target not just the person who pulls the trigger, but the entire criminal network behind the killing.

The law also tackles the recruitment side of the problem. A second provision punishes anyone who promotes or solicits contract killing services with three to five years in prison, even if no murder actually happens.

Deputies David Segura and Fabricio Alvarado from the Nueva República party led the effort. They originally pushed for 50-year sentences but settled on 40 years through negotiations with other lawmakers.

The Ripple Effect

This reform is part of a broader shift in Costa Rica's approach to crime. The country recently awarded a $32 million contract to build a maximum-security prison modeled after El Salvador's tough facilities for dangerous inmates.

Law enforcement leaders are optimistic the new law will help them dismantle gang hierarchies more effectively. Instead of just catching the person who commits the murder, prosecutors can now go after the planners, recruiters, and financiers who make these operations possible.

The timing reflects public demand for action. With presidential elections approaching in 2026, polls show crime ranks as a top voter concern alongside jobs. Communities across the country have been calling for stronger measures as international crime syndicates establish footholds in their neighborhoods.

Critics questioned whether a new legal category was necessary when existing laws already covered paid murders. But supporters argue that explicitly naming contract killing strengthens prosecutions and sends a clear message to would-be participants that this specific crime carries serious consequences.

The Constitutional Court reviewed the bill and found no legal issues, clearing its path to becoming law. Now it awaits President Rodrigo Chaves' signature to take effect.

Costa Ricans are reclaiming their country's reputation for safety, one decisive vote at a time.