Bishops of Costa Rica call candidates to reject manipulation in the electoral campaign

Before the formal start of the electoral campaign in Costa Rica, which will begin this October 1, the Catholic Church urged the candidates for a popular election position to put aside the political discourse of “disrespect, insult and manipulation.”

The flag for the start of the 2026 electoral campaign will be held this Wednesday, October 1 that will culminate on Sunday, February 1, 2026, when around around 3.7 million citizens will choose 60 positions of popular election, including the presidency, the vice presidency and the seats of the Legislative Assembly.

Upon opening this electoral period, the Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica expressed concern about the current political climate, denouncing that “the obvious signs of institutional deterioration”, such as “the disrespect, insult and manipulation, disagreements and confrontations between the supreme powers of the Republic.”

The bishops also warned that a “contempt for political parties as a legitimate instance of representation” is perceived, which has generated “the weakening of the democratic fabric and the rise of personalist and fragmented practices.”

“Without solid and renewed parties that are trainers of political culture, public ethics and responsible participation, democracy loses valid interlocutors and spaces to transform discontent into institutional action,” they warned.

In a statementthe prelates warned that the corruption “accentuated by the penetration of drug trafficking, has deeply undermined institutional credibility, blurring the moral horizon of our democracy”, while “the lack of transparency, influence peddling and impunity deteriorate the ethical pact that sustains democratic coexistence.”

In addition, they pointed out that there is “constant erosion in the credibility of state institutions, marked by their inability to solve structural problems that directly impact citizens.”

In this context, the bishops encouraged the political parties and their leaders to take advantage of the current electoral campaign as a “crucial opportunity to claim politics as an ethical vocation and service to the common good.”

“The call is clear: the parties and candidates must seriously assume the challenge of dignifying public life, responding with transparency, responsibility and height to the growing citizen distrust,” said the Episcopal Conference.

In that line, they demanded “honest proposals, viable plans and interparty agreements focused on the real needs of the population, especially those who have historically been excluded.” “Only a policy guided by principles can return hope to citizens and redirect it with the transforming power of democracy,” they added.

Finally, the bishops entrusted the electoral process to the intercession of the Virgen de los Ángeles, National Patroness, to “that she, who knew how to welcome our Savior, intercede for Costa Rica so that we advance by paths of justice, truth, peace and solidarity.”