Costa Rica, like I have said many times is known to be the Switzerland of Central America. They are a “democratic, free and independent republic”. Similar to the United States, they have three separate but equal supreme powers: Executive Power, Legislative Power and Judicial Power. The current President is Mr. Carlos Andrés Alvarado Quesada and the Vice presidents are Ms. Epsy Campbell Barr and Mr. Marvin Rodríguez Cordero. Firstly, I know this will never happen in the US but the president and I have the same last name! Which I think to be pretty awesome and the fact that there is a woman vice president.
The Executive Branch is structured similar to that of the US. It is run by the President, their vice presidents and cabinet. The President elects his vice presidents and cabinet as they serve their term, which is elected by popular vote. Costa Rican presidents as of 2005 were only allowed to serve one term, but with Oscar Arias Sanchez, who had served as President 1986 caused for the reformation of the Constitution. Presidents, if re elected, are allowed to serve more than one term. However, they catch with that is that they must sit a term out and then be re elected. The terms cannot be won consecutively as well as served consecutively. Since then, Oscar Arias Sanchez, has been the only President to be re elected and who the Nobel Peace Prize. The roles of Presidency are limited, which is not the case in the US. They cannot veto the legislative budget however, they are able to appoint whomever they want to their cabinet without Congress’s say. In regards to the two vice presidents, which is similar to that of the US except we call one “Secretary of State”.
The Legislative Branch holds 57 seats in it. Members are again, elected by popular vote to serve four year terms. In comparison to other countries in Central America, Costa Rica’s Legislative Branch has more power than any other country has given to theirs. The Commission is divided into six and are responsible for reviewing proposed laws. Each Commission section have specific branches on laws that they will review. These sections are: Agriculture & Natural Resources, Economic Affairs, Government & Administration, Budgeting & Taxation, Judicial Affairs, and Social Affairs. I think this is significant to note as I do not believe the US has a system so organized. Members are organized as well. There are a set amount of seats that are set aside for women, and other minority groups for their representation as well. I found this to be amazing! Why is that not a concept that we in the US consider? I know why! Because we love white men in power, that’s why!
Finally, the Judicial Branch is the legal system in Costa Rica and completely independent from the other two branches. There are three levels of court: district, appellate and supreme. All fairly simple to understand as the deeper you get in court, the higher you go up in the levels of court. However, the Judicial Power is exercised by the Supreme Court of Justice, who is currently: Carlos Chinchilla Sandí. The Supreme Court of Justice is allowed an eight year term and may be re elected, consecutively for potentially their who life.
Toes in the Water, Tica in the Sand 