Tough-talking right-winger elected Costa Rica presidentListen to this articleCosta Rica's presidential candidate of the Sovereign People party, Laura Fernandez, shows a ballot before voting at the Julian Volio Llorente school polling station during the presidential election. afpSAN JOSÉ - Right-wing political scientist Laura Fernandez won Costa Rica's presidential election on Sunday by a landslide, after promising to crack down hard on rising violence linked to the cocaine trade. With 81.24 percent of polling stations counted, the political heir of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves had 48.94 percent of the vote compared to 33.02 percent for Ramos. She added that she would "fight tirelessly" to ensure Costa Rica "continues on the path of economic growth, freedom, and above all, the progress of our people." Fernandez insists that she is committed to upholding Costa Rica's democratic tradition.

Source: Bangkok Post February 02, 2026 17:51 UTC