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Costa Rica’s government said on Tuesday that it is investigating an alleged plot to assassinate President Rodrigo Chaves as the country prepares for national elections scheduled for February 1.
Jorge Torres, director of Costa Rica’s Directorate of Intelligence and National Security, said authorities received information from a “confidential source” claiming that an assassin had been paid to kill the president.
Attorney General Carlo Diaz said a female suspect is under investigation in connection with the case, but declined to provide details.
He described the suspect as “quite active on social media” and said there was no evidence linking the alleged plot to the upcoming elections.
Chávez, who is barred by the constitution from running for a second consecutive term, has endorsed former minister Laura Fernández as his preferred successor.
Fernandez has been leading in opinion polls after campaigning on tougher measures against drug trafficking, which authorities say has driven an increase in violence.
The announcement came as Nayib Bukele, the president of neighbouring El Salvador, began a state visit to Costa Rica. Opposition groups have warned of possible foreign interference in the election.
Bukele is scheduled to lay the cornerstone for a new prison in Costa Rica modelled on El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT) on Wednesday.
CECOT has been a central element of Bukele’s security policy, under which thousands of suspected gang members have been detained without charge.
Several Venezuelans deported from the United States to the facility last year later alleged they were tortured following their release.
