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Laura Fernández to Become Costa Rica's Second Female President in May

KVIA•Monday, February 2, 2026 at 6:03 AM•CNN Newsource

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AI Summary

Laura Fernández, the candidate from the right-wing Pueblo Soberano Party, won the first round of Costa Rica's presidential elections on Sunday, securing 48.5% of the votes with 88.43% of the precincts counted. She will take office on May 8, marking her as the second woman to lead the country, following Laura Chinchilla. Fernández has pledged to continue the current government's initiatives, particularly in combating drug trafficking, which has become a pressing issue in Costa Rica. Her proposals include suspending individual rights in certain areas to apprehend drug-related criminals. The voter turnout for this election was 69.5%, a significant increase from previous elections.

Key Details: • Election date: First round held on Sunday, results confirmed by TSE. • Inauguration date: May 8, when Fernández will officially take office. • Voter turnout was 69.5%, higher than the 56.8% in 2022 elections. • Fernández's proposals include harsher penalties for organized crime and a new maximum-security prison.

elections politics drug-trafficking costa-rica female-leadership

People & Organizations

Costa RicaLaura FernándezRodrigo ChavesTribunal Supremo de EleccionesSan JoséLaura ChinchillaÁlvaro RamosPartido Liberación NacionalPartido Pueblo Soberano

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