Alvaro Ramos

Alvaro Ramos is a centre-right economist who ran for president of Costa Rica in the February 2026 election. He was the main challenger to right-wing candidate Laura Fernandez. Ramos conceded defeat after preliminary results showed Fernandez with a commanding lead, exceeding the threshold needed to avoid a run-off. Fernandez's victory was attributed to her tough stance on rising drug-related violence. Ramos's defeat signifies a continuation of right-wing governance in Costa Rica, as Fernandez is a protege of the current president, Rodrigo Chaves. His concession highlights the significant margin by which Fernandez won the election, solidifying her mandate to address the country's security concerns.