Laura Fernández, a right-wing populist and former minister, is poised to win the presidential election in Costa Rica, according to preliminary results from the Electoral Tribunal. At 39 years old and as the selected successor to outgoing president Rodrigo Chaves, Fernández has garnered 48.5% of the vote with results from 88% of voting districts counted. Her nearest competitor, Álvaro Ramos, an economist from the centrist party, secured 33.3%. Voter abstention was notable, with around 30% of eligible voters choosing not to participate.
Political observers, such as Orlando Pérez from the University of North Texas, noted that this election is largely a referendum on security, reflecting growing concerns over drug-related crime in Costa Rica. The country has recently become a significant transit point for drug trafficking, witnessing rising crime rates, including 873 murders last year, which equates to nearly 17 per 100,000 people.
Fernández has been criticized for potentially undermining democratic institutions, as her campaign promises include expanding upon Chaves’s controversial security policies, which some fear may erode civil rights. Former president Laura Chinchilla has labeled these elections as the most consequential since Costa Rica adopted its current constitution in 1949.
Fernández’s Sovereign People Party is projected to secure 31 of the 57 legislative seats, yet falls short of a supermajority required for constitutional changes. While Fernández’s party seeks to implement stricter penalties for crime, her critics express concerns about increased control over judicial authorities.
Nayib Bukele, president of El Salvador, who has employed authoritarian measures to curb crime, has already congratulated Fernández. Analysts warn that while immediate drastic changes are unlikely, the expansion of security measures could gradually augment executive power, potentially diminishing legislative oversight.
Why this story matters: The election marks a critical moment for Costa Rica’s democratic integrity amid rising crime.
Key takeaway: Laura Fernández’s approach to crime may provoke significant shifts in governance and civil rights.
Opposing viewpoint: Critics argue that her tactics could lead to authoritarian governance, undermining the country’s democratic institutions.
