Costa Rica swings right as voters embrace tough-on-crime leader amid surging violence

Fox News - WorldCenter-RightEN 2 min read 100% complete by Emma BusseyFebruary 2, 2026 at 11:50 PM

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Laura Fernández of the Sovereign People's Party has been elected as Costa Rica's next president, marking a shift to the right in the country's politics. With nearly all votes counted, Fernández secured 48.3% of the vote, surpassing her closest competitor, Álvaro Ramos. Fernández, the successor to outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, campaigned on a tough-on-crime platform amid rising homicides, gang activity, and drug trafficking in Costa Rica. Her proposed strategies include increased cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and stricter measures against organized crime, even suggesting a special prison for gang leaders. Fernández's four-year term will begin in May. The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already congratulated Fernández and expressed confidence in continued collaboration on shared priorities.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

National Liberation Party 40% El Salvador 40% Sovereign People’s Party 40% Nayib Bukele 40% Supreme Electoral Tribunal 40% Associated Press ×240% United States 50% Álvaro Ramos ×250% Marco Rubio ×250% Rodrigo Chaves ×260% Costa Rica ×680% Laura Fernández ×690%

Keywords

costa rica 100% laura fernández 90% election 90% crime 80% right-leaning 70% drug trafficking 60% populist agenda 60% security strategy 50% organized crime 50% rodrigo chaves 40%