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Right-wing political scientist Laura Fernandez has won Costa Rica’s presidential election in a landslide, promising a hard line on violence linked to the cocaine trade.
Her nearest rival, centre-right economist Alvaro Ramos, conceded as results showed Fernandez’s party far ahead of the 40 per cent threshold needed to avoid a run-off. With 81.24 per cent of polling stations counted, Fernandez had 48.94 per cent of the vote to Ramos’s 33.02 per cent.
Supporters erupted in celebration across the country, waving flags and shouting “Viva Rodrigo Chaves” in a nod to Fernandez’s mentor.
Appearing via video at her party’s election-night event in San Jose, the 39-year-old thanked Chaves for giving her the confidence to become president-elect and said her legacy would be in good hands. She pledged to fight to keep Costa Rica on a path of growth, freedom, and progress for its people.
The nation, known for stability, has seen rising violence tied to drug trafficking, fueled by cartels from Mexico and Colombia, contributing to a surge in murders.
Fernandez cited Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele as an inspiration for tough crime measures. Bukele was among the first to congratulate her.
The result signals a rightward shift in Latin America, with conservatives gaining power in several countries.
Fernandez has pledged to strengthen security, including completing a Bukele-style maximum-security prison and imposing stricter sentences and emergency measures in high-crime areas.
