Government Deputy Defends State Secrecy, Mentions 'Operation Pegasus' Amid Spying Concerns

A ruling party deputy has defended the government's declaration of state secrecy, linking it to what she termed an "operation Pegasus." Kattia Calvo of the Social Sovereign Party (PPSO) spoke out after another legislator, Sigrid Segura, raised concerns about alleged government attempts to spy on opposition citizens' phones.

Segura had expressed worries that the state of secrecy, decreed by the government, could be used as a cover for illicit surveillance activities targeting political opponents. Calvo's remarks appear to acknowledge the existence of such operations while framing them as necessary or justified under the state of secrecy.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between the government and opposition factions in Costa Rica, particularly concerning issues of privacy, surveillance, and the use of state power. The "Pegasus" reference likely alludes to the sophisticated spyware developed by the Israeli firm NSO Group, known for its use in targeting journalists, activists, and political dissidents worldwide.

Calvo's defense of the state secrecy declaration suggests the government intends to maintain its position, potentially limiting public scrutiny of its actions. The opposition, however, remains vigilant, vowing to challenge what they perceive as an overreach of government authority and a threat to civil liberties.