Laura Fernández

Laura Fernández is the newly elected President of Costa Rica. A right-wing candidate, she won the election amidst growing concerns about rising crime rates and potential authoritarian shifts in the country, which has historically been a model of liberal democracy in Central America. Fernández is considered the handpicked successor of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves and has pledged to continue his agenda, which includes cracking down on violence and, according to some reports, weakening democratic institutions. Her victory is largely attributed to voter anxieties surrounding increased insecurity stemming from criminal groups battling for control of cocaine trafficking routes. The election and Fernández's win are significant because they represent a potential shift in Costa Rica's political landscape and raise questions about the future of its democratic institutions.