Costa Rica’s democracy faces a fundamental transformation as voters overwhelmingly elect a conservative hardliner pledging to dismantle the country’s post-1948 constitutional framework in favor of authoritarian crime-fighting measures that alarm nearly half the nation.
Story Snapshot
- Laura Fernandez wins presidency with 49% in first-round landslide, avoiding runoff against 19 candidates
- 39-year-old president-elect vows to end Costa Rica’s “second republic” and implement El Salvador-style security crackdowns
- Her party secures dominant congressional position with 30 of 57 seats, enabling rapid policy implementation
- Former president warns of authoritarian patterns as Fernandez plans states of emergency and constitutional overhaul
Landslide Victory Signals Voter Frustration With Crime Crisis
Laura Fernandez secured Costa Rica’s presidency on February 2, 2026, with 49% of votes against 19 opponents, defeating her nearest rival Alvaro Ramos by 15 points. The decisive first-round victory eliminated the need for a runoff election, demonstrating overwhelming public support for her hardline security platform. Approximately 2.6 million Costa Ricans participated in the election, prioritizing safety concerns over traditional democratic safeguards. Fernandez will assume office on May 8, 2026, for a four-year term with substantial legislative backing from her party’s 30-seat majority in the 57-member congress.
Conservative Platform Promises Radical Constitutional Changes
Fernandez campaigned on transforming Costa Rica’s governance structure established after 1948, declaring the nation’s “second republic” finished and calling for construction of a “third republic.” Her platform centers on declaring states of emergency in high-crime areas, which would suspend certain civil liberties to combat escalating drug violence and organized crime. The president-elect also pledges to complete construction of a high-security prison modeled after El Salvador’s controversial CECOT mega-prison, known for harsh conditions and minimal prisoner rights. These proposals represent a dramatic departure from Costa Rica’s longstanding reputation as one of Latin America’s most stable democracies with strong respect for civil liberties.
Democratic Concerns Mount Over Authoritarian Governance Model
Former President Laura Chinchilla, Costa Rica’s first female leader, emerged as a vocal critic, describing Fernandez as “rude and populist” and warning she follows familiar regional patterns associated with authoritarian leaders. Polls revealed nearly half of Costa Ricans expressed alarm about Fernandez’s proposals for sweeping legislative and judicial reforms that could concentrate executive power. Despite rejecting accusations of authoritarianism and pledging commitment to democratic principles, Fernandez’s explicit admiration for El Salvador’s authoritarian crime-fighting approach raises legitimate concerns about constitutional protections. The concentration of power through her mentor Rodrigo Chaves’s backing and her party’s congressional dominance creates conditions for rapid implementation of reforms that could fundamentally alter institutional checks and balances.
From Bureaucrat to President Through Populist Alliance
The 39-year-old Fernandez rose through outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves’s administration, serving as minister of the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy starting in 2022 before becoming his chief of staff. Chaves and his inner circle handpicked Fernandez as their preferred successor to extend their populist political project launched in 2022. Lawmaker Pilar Cisneros defended this relationship, arguing Fernandez’s closeness to Chaves strengthens her authority by providing deep knowledge of state operations. However, critics question whether Fernandez can govern independently while maintaining alignment with Chaves’s agenda. Her mandate rests less on a new political vision and more on continuing an existing populist experiment during heightened public anxiety over drug trafficking and violent crime that has destabilized Costa Rica’s traditionally peaceful society.
Regional Implications for Democratic Governance in Central America
Fernandez’s election signals potential alignment with authoritarian governance patterns observed in other Latin American countries, particularly El Salvador under President Nayib Bukele’s security crackdowns that suspended constitutional rights. Costa Rica abolished its military in 1949 and developed a reputation for democratic stability that distinguished it from neighbors plagued by civil wars and authoritarian regimes. The shift away from this traditional institutional model could influence governance approaches across Central America, where security concerns increasingly override democratic safeguards. Citizens in high-crime areas will experience emergency measures first, with broader implications for the criminal justice system through expanded prison infrastructure and law enforcement powers. Whether Fernandez’s presidency strengthens security while preserving democratic norms or accelerates authoritarian consolidation will define Costa Rica’s trajectory for years beyond her four-year term.
Sources:
Laura Fernandez set to lead Costa Rica with populist hard-line agenda – Modern Diplomacy
Millennial hard-right president Costa Rica – Japan Times
