Álvaro Ramos

Álvaro Ramos is a center-right economist who ran for president of Costa Rica in the recent election. He was the closest challenger to Laura Fernández, the right-wing populist candidate from the Sovereign People’s Party. Ramos conceded defeat after preliminary results showed Fernández winning with over 40% of the vote, avoiding a runoff election. Ramos's defeat is newsworthy as it contributes to the trend of right-leaning leaders gaining power in Latin America, with Fernández's victory marking a further shift in Costa Rican politics. His campaign was overshadowed by Fernández's focus on cracking down on rising violence, a key concern for Costa Rican voters. While Ramos's specific platform details are not highlighted in these articles, his loss signifies a rejection of the center-right in favor of a more hardline approach to crime and security.