Lead: Laura Fernández, a conservative populist backed by outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, claimed victory in Costa Rica’s presidential race on Sunday, winning outright in the first round and avoiding a runoff. With ballots from 96.8% of polling places tallied, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal reported Fernández of the Sovereign People’s Party at 48.3% and her nearest rival, Álvaro Ramos of the National Liberation Party, at 33.4%. Ramos conceded and pledged to serve as a constructive opposition. Electoral officials said a manual tally will begin on Tuesday before a formal declaration.
Key Takeaways
- Laura Fernández led with 48.3% of votes in preliminary results with 96.8% of polling places reported, surpassing the 40% threshold required to win in the first round.
- Álvaro Ramos finished second with 33.4%; he conceded on election night and said he will provide a critical but constructive opposition.
- Some 3.7 million Costa Ricans were eligible to vote in a race with 20 presidential contenders; only Fernández and Ramos exceeded 5% in early returns.
- Fernández is closely allied with outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves and served as his minister of national planning and later as minister of the presidency.
- The National Assembly has 57 seats; Chaves’ party expected gains but analysts said it may fall short of the supermajority the administration sought.
- Main campaign issues included rising violent crime and economic growth; Fernández campaigned on continuing Chaves-era policies to address those problems.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a congratulatory statement, highlighting cooperation on narcotics, migration, cybersecurity and economic ties.
Background
Costa Rica’s 2026 vote comes amid growing public concern about violent crime and economic pressures. Four years earlier, Rodrigo Chaves won the presidency positioning himself as an outsider who would upend traditional parties he framed as corrupt amid high unemployment and a rising deficit. That anti-establishment message reshaped the political landscape and set the scene for a successor aligned with his approach.
Fernández emerged from within Chaves’ inner circle, holding two cabinet posts that tied her closely to the outgoing administration’s policy agenda. Her campaign emphasized continuity on security and economic management, arguing that maintaining the current course offers the best chance to curb violence and restore fiscal stability. The race attracted 20 declared candidates but quickly narrowed in the returns to two clear frontrunners.
Main Event
On Sunday in San José and across the country, voters cast ballots in a contest that preliminary tallies showed Fernández winning with a decisive margin. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal released partial results showing Fernández at 48.3% and Álvaro Ramos at 33.4% with 96.8% of precincts counted. Because Fernández exceeded the 40% first-round threshold, the preliminary outcome eliminates the need for a runoff.
Ramos conceded that evening, expressing respect for the voters’ choice and committing to lead an engaged opposition. His remarks stressed the role of dissent in a functioning democracy and signaled willingness to challenge government proposals where he sees shortcomings. Fernández, speaking Monday, said her immediate aim is to consolidate development and pursue policies that strengthen Costa Rica’s capacity to meet global challenges and spur solid growth.
Electoral authorities cautioned that a manual review of ballots will begin Tuesday before any definitive proclamation of the winner. Meanwhile, attention turned to legislative races: the 57-seat National Assembly will determine how easily the new administration can pass priority measures and, potentially, secure influence over judicial appointments if it achieves a supermajority.
Analysis & Implications
Fernández’s first-round victory signifies both continuity and consolidation of the Chaves political project. Because she was chosen and promoted by the outgoing president, her win is likely to extend his confrontational governing style and policy priorities into the next term. That continuity may produce quicker policy implementation if the executive secures cooperative legislative partners, but it also risks deepening polarization with opposition forces that criticize Chaves’ approach.
On security policy, Fernández inherits public demand for sharper responses to violent crime. Many voters who blamed previous administrations for rising crime see the Chaves-Fernández style—tough enforcement and high-profile action—as their best hope for reducing violence. Analysts warn, however, that operational gains will hinge on sustained institutional reforms and resources rather than rhetoric alone.
Economically, Fernández has framed her agenda around consolidating development and promoting growth. With a significant budget deficit and elevated unemployment, the administration will face pressure to balance fiscal consolidation with social investment. International partners, including the United States, have already signaled readiness to cooperate on shared priorities such as narcotics interdiction and cyber issues, which may shape bilateral engagement and aid flows.
Regionally, Costa Rica’s shift toward a populist-conservative executive could influence Central American politics by reinforcing narratives that favor strongman-style governance as a remedy for crime and economic distress. Neighboring governments and international institutions will watch whether Fernández’s policies produce measurable improvements or stoke institutional tensions that complicate cooperation.
Comparison & Data
| Candidate | Party | Preliminary % (96.8% counted) |
|---|---|---|
| Laura Fernández | Sovereign People’s Party | 48.3% |
| Álvaro Ramos | National Liberation Party | 33.4% |
The table highlights how Fernández cleared the 40% threshold required to win in the first round, avoiding a second-round runoff. Turnout context: about 3.7 million Costa Ricans were eligible to vote. Legislative results were still unfolding, with forecasts that Chaves’ party could gain seats but not necessarily the supermajority needed to control appointments like Supreme Court magistrates.
Reactions & Quotes
Opposition leader Álvaro Ramos reacted quickly after results indicated Fernández’s lead, framing his concession as a commitment to principled oversight rather than obstruction.
“In democracy dissent is allowed, criticizing is allowed,”
Álvaro Ramos, National Liberation Party
Fernández spoke about national unity and economic priorities, urging officials to prioritize the country over party banners as she prepares to assume the presidency.
“I hope that we can immediately lower the flags of whichever political party and start working only in favor of the Costa Rican flag,”
Laura Fernández, president-elect
International reaction included a public congratulation that framed the result as an opportunity to advance shared priorities with Costa Rica.
“Under her leadership, we are confident Costa Rica will continue to advance shared priorities to include combatting narco-trafficking, ending illegal immigration to the United States, promoting cybersecurity and secure telecommunications, and strengthening economic ties,”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (statement)
Unconfirmed
- Whether Chaves’ party will secure the supermajority in the National Assembly remains unresolved pending complete legislative tallies.
- The full scope and timing of Fernández’s policy package—particularly on security funding and fiscal measures—are not yet published and remain subject to change.
Bottom Line
Laura Fernández’s preliminary, first-round victory signals continuity of Rodrigo Chaves’ political project and likely a sustained focus on hardline security measures and a pro-growth economic agenda. Her close association with the outgoing president may provide policy momentum but also raises the prospect of intensified political polarization at home.
Practical outcomes will depend heavily on finalized legislative results and the manual validation of the vote scheduled to begin Tuesday. International partnerships, especially with the United States, are likely to emphasize cooperation on narcotics, migration and cyber issues, but the durability of those ties will hinge on measurable performance on security and governance benchmarks.
- NPR — news report
- Supreme Electoral Tribunal (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) — official electoral authority
- U.S. Department of State — official statements and diplomatic communications