Costa Rican Evangelical Alliance Demands Identification of Pastor in Vote-Buying Allegation

The Federation of Evangelical Alliance of Costa Rica (FAEC) has formally requested that opposition lawmaker Abril Gordienko identify a pastor she claims offered to sell 42,000 votes for 420 million colones, approximately $940,000. Gordienko made the allegation during a September 16 session of the Legislative Assembly while debating ruling-party lawmaker Gonzalo Ramírez. Following the statement, other legislators urged her to pursue a formal criminal complaint.

In a subsequent statement, the FAEC emphasized that such serious allegations should not be made as general references, as this casts suspicion on the integrity of the nation's broader pastoral community. The federation asserted that if illegal activity occurred, the individual responsible must be held accountable, but cautioned against generalizing the actions of one person to all clergy. Furthermore, the FAEC clarified that evangelical voters, who represent roughly 30% of the electorate in Costa Rica, exercise their voting rights independently and are not controlled by religious leaders. Gordienko has indicated she intends to bring the matter to the appropriate authorities.