Laura Fernandez, a tough-talking right-wing political scientist, has won Costa Rica’s presidential election in a decisive landslide, riding a wave of public anger over rising crime and drug-related violence.
With more than 81 percent of polling stations counted, Fernandez secured 48.94 percent of the vote, comfortably surpassing the 40 percent threshold needed to avoid a run-off. Her closest challenger, centre-right economist Alvaro Ramos, trailed at 33.02 percent and formally conceded defeat.
The result marks a major victory for Fernandez’s Sovereign People’s Party and confirms her status as the political heir of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves. As early results rolled in, celebrations erupted across the country, with supporters waving Costa Rica’s blue, white, and red flags and chanting slogans praising Chaves, her mentor.
Speaking via video link to supporters gathered in San Jose, the 39-year-old president-elect thanked Chaves for placing his trust in her, saying his legacy would be safe in her hands. She pledged to fight relentlessly to keep Costa Rica on a path of economic growth, freedom, and national progress.
For decades, Costa Rica, a nation of 5.2 million people known for its pristine beaches and democratic stability, stood apart from much of Central America. But in recent years, it has become a key logistics hub in the global cocaine trade. Trafficking networks linked to Mexican and Colombian cartels have penetrated local communities, fueling violent turf wars and driving the murder rate up by nearly 50 percent over the past six years.
Fernandez has openly cited El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele as an inspiration, praising his iron-fisted crackdown on gangs. Bukele, whose policies have seen thousands detained without charge, was the first foreign leader to congratulate her on her victory.
Her election also reflects a broader rightward shift across Latin America, where conservative leaders have gained power by tapping into public frustration over corruption and insecurity, as seen recently in countries such as Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, and Honduras.
President Chaves, who brought Fernandez into government as planning minister and later chief of staff, dismissed fears of authoritarianism, saying he was confident her leadership would not lead to dictatorship or communism. During his term, violence surged, but he frequently blamed the judiciary, arguing it was too lenient on criminals.
Some voters agreed. Jessica Salgado, 27, said she backed Fernandez as a continuity candidate, believing the government was finally confronting powerful criminal networks. She described the surge in violence as a consequence of targeting crime bosses rather than a sign of failure.
Alongside the presidential vote, Costa Ricans also elected members of the 57-seat Legislative Assembly. Early results show Fernandez’s party winning roughly 39 percent of the vote, giving her significant legislative backing.
Still, critics remain uneasy. Some fear Fernandez may attempt to amend the constitution to allow Chaves to return to power after her four-year term. Former president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oscar Arias warned that democracy itself could be at risk, arguing that constitutional reform is often the first step taken by aspiring dictators.
Fernandez has repeatedly rejected these accusations, insisting she is committed to Costa Rica’s democratic traditions.
On crime, her agenda is uncompromising. She has vowed to complete a maximum-security prison inspired by El Salvador’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Centre, stiffen prison sentences, and impose states of emergency in areas hardest hit by gang violence. In densely populated informal settlements around San Jose, shootouts between rival drug gangs have become increasingly common, underscoring the urgency of the challenge she faces.
As Costa Rica stands at a crossroads, Fernandez’s victory reflects a society torn between fear and hope. Many citizens are desperate for safety, even if it means embracing tougher measures. Others worry about the long-term cost to democratic freedoms. What is clear is that behind the election numbers are ordinary Costa Ricans who want to walk their streets without fear, raise families in peace, and believe once again that their country can be both safe and free.
