Event Summary
In December 2025 and January 2026, there have been some ongoing consultations on Bill No. 25129 which amends Law No. 7786 (Law on Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances, Unauthorised Drugs, Related Activities, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing). The aim of the bill is to strengthen compliance with the Recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), particularly Recommendation 8, regarding the protection of non-profit organisations (NPOs) from the risks of terrorist financing. The bill was introduced on 5 August 2025 and is currently before the Special Permanent Commission on Security and Drug Trafficking. To date, there is no specific date set for its discussion in the Legislative Plenary.
A public consultation process on the bill has been opened, leading to public hearings. Unlike restrictive approaches applied in other contexts, this initiative seeks to introduce a risk-based, proportionate and non-discriminatory framework, aligned with the latest international standards. The bill explicitly recognises that NPOs should not be treated as a homogeneous or inherently risky sector, and that supervisory measures should be differentiated according to the type of organisation, its size, its activities and its actual exposure to risk.
It also seeks to avoid excessive administrative burdens that could hinder the legitimate operation of civil society, while strengthening transparency and due diligence mechanisms. In the Costa Rican context, this reform represents a positive step toward harmonising financial security and civil liberties, contributing to a clearer, more predictable regulatory environment that respects the fundamental role that NPOs play in the country’s social, environmental and democratic development.