Rightwing populist Laura Fernández has won Costa Rica’s presidential election in a decisive first round, pledging to confront rising violence linked to the cocaine trade and to continue the political course set by outgoing president Rodrigo Chaves. Her landslide victory reflects voter frustration with crime and corruption and signals a broader rightward shift in Latin American politics.
Election Results and Victory Margin
With 94 percent of polling stations counted, Fernández secured 48.3 percent of the vote, comfortably surpassing the 40 percent threshold required to avoid a runoff. Her closest rival, centre right economist Álvaro Ramos, received 33.4 percent, according to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. Ramos conceded defeat as results confirmed the ruling party’s commanding lead.
Political Continuity and Party Support
Fernández is widely seen as the political heir to outgoing president Rodrigo Chaves, who selected her from relative obscurity to serve first as planning minister and later as chief of staff. Supporters celebrated her victory across the country, praising Chaves’ legacy and expressing confidence that his agenda would continue under her leadership.
In her victory remarks, Fernández thanked Chaves for placing his trust in her and vowed to fight tirelessly for economic growth, freedom, and national progress.
Crime and the Drug Trade Challenge
Costa Rica, long regarded as a stable democracy in Central America, has faced a sharp deterioration in security. The country has shifted from a transit point to a logistics hub in the global drug trade, with Mexican and Colombian cartels fuelling turf wars. As a result, the murder rate has surged by 50 percent over the past six years, reaching 17 homicides per 100,000 people.
Influence of Regional Security Models
Fernández has openly cited El Salvador’s president Nayib Bukele as an inspiration for her tough stance on crime. Bukele, known for mass arrests of suspected gang members without charge, was the first foreign leader to congratulate her. Fernández has promised to complete a maximum security prison modeled on El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center, stiffen prison sentences, and impose states of emergency in areas hardest hit by violence.
Public Support and Criticism
Some voters backed Fernández as a continuity candidate, arguing that rising violence is a consequence of pursuing criminal leaders rather than a failure of policy. Others, including former president and Nobel peace prize laureate Óscar Arias, have warned that democratic institutions could be at risk. Arias cautioned that constitutional reforms could be used to allow Chaves to return to power sooner than permitted under current law.
Legislative Assembly and Governance Outlook
Alongside the presidential vote, Costa Ricans also elected members of the 57 seat Legislative Assembly. Fernández’s ability to implement her agenda will depend on legislative dynamics, particularly amid concerns from critics who fear constitutional changes and expanded executive power.
Conclusion
Laura Fernández’s landslide victory underscores Costa Rica’s shift toward tougher security policies in response to escalating drug related violence. While supporters see her as a decisive leader capable of restoring order, critics remain wary of potential risks to democratic norms as the country enters a new political chapter.