6 February 2026

Laura Fernández, the 39-year-old conservative candidate of the ruling Partido Pueblo Soberano, won Costa Rica’s presidential election on 1 February 2026 with approximately 49.6 per cent of the vote, clearing threshold required to avoid a second round and marking a decisive endorsement of the outgoing administration.  Fernández also secured a historic legislative majority, winning 31 of 57 seats in the Asamblea Legislativa.  The campaign was dominated by citizen anxiety over rising violent crime, which Fernández addressed with proposals for states of exception in high-crime zones and the construction of a high-security mega-prison modelled on El Salvador’s approach.  On the economic front, she has signalled her intention to pursue the sale of state assets, advance the delayed electric train project, and deepen Costa Rica’s integration into global value chains. Fernández is due to be inaugurated on 8 May 2026.

Photo Credit: Official Instagram Account of Laura Fernández https://www.instagram.com/laura_fernandez_delgado/?hl=en

Source: Central America Briefing | Vol 14, Issue 3