Laura Fernández, a populist conservative, has been elected as Costa Rica's new president, promising to continue the aggressive political reorientation initiated by her political mentor, outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves. With a resounding first-round victory, Fernández secured the presidency without the need for a runoff, capturing 48.3% of the vote with 96.8% of polling places tallied. Her closest contender, economist Álvaro Ramos, conceded and pledged to lead a 'constructive opposition' that would hold those in power accountable.
Fernández, a former minister in Chaves' administration, campaigned on a platform of continuing the policies of the term-limited Chaves. The surge in crime rates in Costa Rica, a historically peaceful nation, was a central issue in the campaign. While some voters criticized Chaves for failing to reduce crime rates, many see Fernández's continuation of his confrontational style as the best hope for taming the violence. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed confidence in Fernández's leadership, highlighting shared priorities such as combating narco-trafficking, addressing illegal immigration, promoting cybersecurity, and strengthening economic ties.
The election also saw voters electing a 57-seat National Assembly, with Chaves' party expected to make gains but not necessarily achieving the supermajority needed to influence key appointments, such as Supreme Court magistrates. With a significant portion of the vote, Fernández's victory marks a continuation of the political shift in Costa Rica, as she aims to consolidate the nation's development and address global challenges with solid economic growth.
