Alvaro Ramos

Alvaro Ramos is a centre-right economist who ran for president of Costa Rica in the 2026 election. He was the nearest rival to right-wing candidate Laura Fernandez, who ultimately won the election by a landslide. Ramos conceded defeat after preliminary results showed Fernandez exceeding the 40% threshold needed to avoid a run-off. Fernandez, a protege of current President Rodrigo Chaves, campaigned on a platform of cracking down on rising violence linked to the cocaine trade. Ramos's defeat signifies a continuation of the centre-right populist government's mandate and highlights the public's concern over drug-fueled violence in Costa Rica. His concession allows Fernandez to assume the presidency without a second round of voting.