La Nación, a major Costa Rican news outlet, reported on October 2, 2025, on two separate developments concerning Central American politics and press freedom. The first report highlighted a statement by Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves regarding the upcoming transfer of power, while the second and third focused on the exodus of Salvadoran journalists due to fears of detention under President Nayib Bukele.
In a post published at 02:31 UTC, La Nación quoted President Chaves: “Rodrigo Chaves promete entregar el poder a quien el pueblo de Costa Rica escoja: ‘Lo juro por mi madre’” (Rodrigo Chaves promises to hand over power to whomever the people of Costa Rica choose: ‘I swear by my mother’).
Later that night, at 03:12 UTC, La Nación addressed the situation facing Salvadoran journalists, stating: “43 periodistas salvadoreños han salido del país por miedo a detenciones bajo Bukele. Conozca el informe ‘La Curva del silencio’.” (43 Salvadoran journalists have left the country out of fear of detention under Bukele. Learn about the report ‘The Curve of Silence’.)
A subsequent tweet at 03:20 UTC reiterated these concerns, noting: “Hasta 43 periodistas críticos han salido de El Salvador ante posible detención por gobierno de Bukele” (Up to 43 critical journalists have left El Salvador due to possible detention by the Bukele government).
These reports come amid ongoing scrutiny of democratic processes and press freedom in Central America. In Costa Rica, presidential transitions have traditionally been peaceful, reflecting the country’s longstanding commitment to democracy. Meanwhile, in El Salvador, international organizations have expressed concern about increasing pressures on independent media and the potential risks faced by journalists under President Bukele’s administration.
