Right-winger Fernandez wins Costa Rica electionAFP, SAN JOSERight-wing political scientist Laura Fernandez on Sunday won Costa Rica’s presidential election by a landslide, after promising to crack down on rising violence linked to the cocaine trade. With 94 percent of polling stations counted, the political heir of outgoing Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves had captured 48.3 percent of the vote compared with Ramos’ 33.4 percent, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal said. “Viva Rodrigo Chaves,” some cheered, in a nod to Fernandez’s mentor. Appearing via videoconference at her party’s official election night gathering in the capital, San Jose, Fernandez, 39, thanked Chaves for giving her “the confidence to be president-elect of Costa Rica” and said his legacy was in good hands. Chaves plucked Fernandez from relative anonymity to serve as planning minister and chief of staff.

Source: Taipei Times February 02, 2026 17:27 UTC