San José, Costa Rica

The organisation constitutes the executive branch of the Costa Rican government, headquartered in San José. Its primary responsibility is to formulate and implement national policy across sectors such as health, education, infrastructure and security. It represents the state in domestic affairs and in international relations, negotiating treaties and participating in regional organisations. Through various ministries and agencies under its direction, it delivers public services to citizens and oversees the enforcement of laws. The presidency also manages the state’s budget preparation and coordinates fiscal planning with the legislative branch. Its mandate includes safeguarding national security and directing emergency response efforts when crises arise.

As the highest executive authority, the presidency holds a distinct regulatory role, issuing decrees and directives that have the force of law within constitutional limits. This positioning enables it to steer sector‑specific initiatives, such as digital transformation programs and environmental sustainability strategies. The organisation’s notable competencies were demonstrated in March 2025 when it collaborated with the Ministry of Science and Technology and Google to regain control of its compromised YouTube account after a cyber‑attack. The incident response highlighted its capacity to coordinate across government bodies and with private‑sector partners to restore services and communicate transparently with the public. Structurally, the presidency is an integral part of the Costa Rican state, operating without a parent company or subsidiary structure and deriving its authority directly from the national constitution.