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Proper-wing candidate’s closest challenger concedes defeat as partial outcomes confirmed her on verge of profitable the presidency.
Revealed On 2 Feb 2026
Proper-wing candidate Laura Fernandez has taken a commanding lead in Costa Rica’s presidential election after promising to crack down on rising violence linked to the cocaine commerce.
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal reported late on Sunday that votes tallied from 81 p.c of polling stations confirmed Fernandez of the Sovereign Individuals’s Get together profitable 48.9 p.c of the vote.
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Her closest challenger was economist Alvaro Ramos of the Nationwide Liberation Get together with 33 p.c.
Ramos conceded on Sunday evening and pledged to steer a “constructive opposition,” however one that may not let these in energy get away with something.
“In democracy dissent is allowed, criticizing is allowed,” he mentioned.
Fernandez wanted at least 40 p.c to win the election outright and keep away from a run-off on April 5.
The 39-year-old politician is the handpicked successor of incumbent President Rodrigo Chaves, and campaigned on persevering with his powerful safety insurance policies.
Al Jazeera’s Julia Galiano, reporting from capital San Jose, mentioned that the primary problem in the course of the marketing campaign was peace and order.
“Indisputably, the rising insecurity was the primary problem for everybody that we spoke to right here,” Galiano mentioned, noting that Fernandez managed to win by promising to make sure the nation’s safety.
“Costa Rica has lengthy been thought-about because the Switzerland of Central America. It’s a nation identified for its lengthy historical past of a secure democracy,” she mentioned.
“Economically, it’s at all times been a lot better off than a variety of its neighbours.”
Fernandez was beforehand Chaves’s minister of nationwide planning and financial coverage and, extra not too long ago, his minister of the presidency.
Costa Ricans additionally voted for the 57-seat Nationwide Meeting. Chaves’ celebration is anticipated to make features, however maybe not obtain the supermajority he and Fernandez have known as for, which might permit their celebration to decide on Supreme Court docket magistrates, for instance.
Some 3.7 million Costa Ricans have been eligible to vote in Sunday’s elections.
