The Government Council of Costa Rica appointed Mariela Vargas Zúñiga as the new president of the Junta de Protección Social (JPS), following the departure of Esmeralda Britton in July 2025. This appointment marks a significant change for one of the nation’s key institutions responsible for overseeing lotteries and charitable gaming.
Vargas Zúñiga brings with her a robust background in finance and leadership. She holds a degree in Finance and Banking and has accumulated extensive experience in both the financial and public sectors. Her career is marked by leading multidisciplinary teams and implementing projects recognized for their strategic impact and dedication to excellence.
Previously, Vargas Zúñiga played a critical role at the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), where she handled Financial Assets and Liabilities within the Treasury. Her work there honed her skills in operational efficiency and financial oversight, providing a strong foundation for her new role at the JPS.
Her experience within the JPS itself is also noteworthy. Since June 2024, Vargas Zúñiga has served as a proprietary director of the JPS Board. This role allowed her to gain firsthand insight into the institution’s internal workings and its significant impact on Costa Rican society. Her participation in various committees, such as Audit, Camposantos, and Image, further underscores her capability to balance governance with operational needs.
The JPS plays a crucial role in Costa Rica by supporting social organizations and charitable causes. Through the regulation of lotteries and games of chance, the JPS funds initiatives that provide direct assistance to the country’s most vulnerable populations. Vargas Zúñiga, during her inaugural address, emphasized her commitment to maintaining transparency and efficiency while upholding the JPS’s mission to support social organizations.
Taking over from Esmeralda Britton, who resigned on July 30, 2025, Vargas Zúñiga inherits a dual challenge: ensuring the financial sustainability of the JPS while aligning its initiatives with national social protection priorities. Britton, who led the JPS through a period of significant modernization and expansion, resigned to pursue a legislative candidacy in the upcoming February 2026 elections.
Vargas Zúñiga’s leadership is anticipated with optimism by stakeholders who value her technical expertise and deep understanding of the JPS. Her appointment is seen as an opportunity to guide the organization towards a new era, focusing on efficiency and governance to maximize the benefits delivered to needy communities.
Under her leadership, the JPS is expected to enhance its role as a pivotal partner in Costa Rica’s social development. “The future of the JPS is about aligning resources with the needs of our society,” she implied, promising to build on the foundation laid by her predecessor while steering the organization towards greater efficacy and impact.
As Costa Rica continues to depend on the JPS for funding vital social programs, Vargas Zúñiga’s leadership represents not just a change in personnel but a potential redefinition of the organization’s role in societal advancement. Her strategic vision and commitment to governance will likely drive the JPS to new heights, ensuring that its efforts truly reach and benefit those who need it most.
The transition in leadership at the JPS comes at a time when transparency and resource management are under increasing scrutiny. The need for a robust framework for accountability has never been more critical, and Vargas Zúñiga is poised to meet these challenges head-on. Her experience and vision are expected to bring about much-needed reform and innovation, reinforcing the JPS’s position as a cornerstone of social protection in Costa Rica.
In conclusion, Vargas Zúñiga’s appointment is a pivotal moment for the JPS and Costa Rica’s broader social safety net. Her blend of financial acumen and institutional knowledge positions her uniquely to not only uphold the JPS’s mission but to build upon it, ensuring that it continues to serve as a beacon of hope and support for Costa Rica’s most vulnerable citizens. As she steps into this role, all eyes will be on her ability to navigate the complex landscape of social welfare and gaming regulation, driving the JPS forward into a future of sustained impact and success.
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