Candidate tough on crime wins Costa Rica presidential election

The candidate for the governing conservative Sovereign People's Party, Laura Fernández, has won the presidential election in Costa Rica.

With more than 88% of the votes counted, Fernández had over 48% of the votes, far ahead of the second-placed centrist candidate, Álvaro Ramos, who conceded defeat.

Fernández ran on a promise to deepen the tough-on-crime approach of the outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, who had handpicked her as his successor.

Voters had said they were concerned about a surge in drug-related violence in the Central American country. ---More...

BREAKING: Costa Rica right-winger Laura Fernandez just CRUSHED the socialist party in the presidential election after campaigning on cracking down on criminality Bukele-style.

Fernandez is yet another Trump ally in the Western Hemisphere. She met with Marco Rubio last year. pic.twitter.com/pxPIO8akfw

— George (@BehizyTweets)February 2, 2026

Costa Rica right-winger Laura Fernandez just CRUSHED the socialist party in the presidential election after campaigning on cracking down on criminality Bukele-style.

Fernandez is yet another Trump ally in the Western Hemisphere. She met with Marco Rubio last year.

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