Laura Fernández wins Costa Rica presidency

Laura Fernández, the candidate of the governing conservative Sovereign People’s Party, has won Costa Rica’s presidential election, securing victory in the first round amid voter concerns over rising crime.

With more than 88 percent of the votes counted, Fernández captured just over 48 percent of the vote, surpassing the 40 percent threshold required to avoid a runoff. Her closest rival, centrist candidate Álvaro Ramos, conceded defeat.

Fernández, 39, campaigned on a promise to deepen the tough-on-crime policies of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, who selected her as his successor and whom she previously served as chief of staff. She is set to be sworn in on May 8.

Crime, particularly drug-related violence linked to transnational gangs, dominated the campaign in a country long regarded as one of Central America’s safest. Fernández pledged to declare states of emergency in gang-controlled areas and to complete a high-security prison modeled on El Salvador’s Cecot facility, championed by President Nayib Bukele.

In her victory speech, Fernández said her administration would continue Chaves’ policies while governing through “dialogue and national harmony,” insisting her security strategy would remain grounded in the rule of law. She also criticized the opposition for what she described as obstruction in parliament.

Her party secured 30 of the 57 seats in the legislature, giving her stronger congressional backing than Chaves, who was constitutionally barred from seeking re-election.

Fernández is expected to maintain close ties with the United States, including cooperation on migration and anti-narcotics efforts. She will become Costa Rica’s second female president, after Laura Chinchilla, who served from 2010 to 2014.