Álvaro Ramos

Álvaro Ramos is a centre-right economist who ran as the nearest rival to Laura Fernández in Costa Rica's presidential election. Fernández won the election with a landslide, promising to crack down on rising violence linked to the cocaine trade. Ramos conceded defeat after results showed the ruling party far exceeded the threshold of 40% needed to avoid a runoff. His candidacy was notable for being the second-placed centrist candidate in the election. The outcome is significant as it marks a shift further right in Latin America, with Fernández's victory following similar trends in other countries in the region. Ramos' concession and Fernández's win highlight the ongoing impact of right-wing populism on regional politics.