Rodrigo Chaves

Laura Fernández, a right-wing political scientist and President Rodrigo Chaves's protege, has won Costa Rica's presidential election. Her victory marks a shift to the right in Costa Rican politics, driven by voters' concerns over rising violence linked to the cocaine trade. Fernández campaigned on a tough-on-crime platform, promising to crack down on criminal groups. Preliminary results showed her Sovereign People’s Party securing a commanding lead, avoiding a runoff election. She is seen as extending Chaves's agenda, which some critics fear could weaken democratic institutions. Her win comes amid broader concerns about an authoritarian turn in Costa Rica, a country traditionally known for its stability and liberal democracy.