Rodrigo Chaves

Laura Fernández, a right-wing political scientist and protégé of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, has won Costa Rica's presidential election. Her victory is attributed to her tough-on-crime platform, promising to address rising violence linked to cocaine trafficking. Fernández's win continues a rightward shift in Latin America. She is the candidate for the Sovereign People's Party. The election was dominated by concerns about increasing insecurity and warnings of an authoritarian turn, despite Costa Rica's historical reputation as a liberal democracy. Fernández's campaign vowed to extend Chaves's agenda, which has included efforts to weaken democratic institutions. Her win avoids a runoff election, as she exceeded the 40% threshold. Her closest rival, center-right economist Álvaro Ramos, conceded defeat.