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Laura Fernandez Elected President of Costa Rica Amidst Security Concerns

San José, Costa⁢ Rica – February 2, 2026 – Right-wing political scientist Laura Fernandez has secured a landslide victory in Costa Rica’s presidential election, promising a firm stance against escalating violence linked to drug trafficking.⁣ The election results, announced Sunday, indicate a meaningful shift in the country’s political landscape and a clear mandate for a ‍tougher approach to security challenges.

Fernandez’s Decisive Victory

Fernandez, representing the Sovereign People’s party, garnered 48.94% of the vote with 81.24% of polling stations reporting. This decisive win surpassed the 40% threshold needed to avoid a second-round runoff. Her closest competitor, center-right economist Alvaro Ramos, conceded defeat, acknowledging the strength of Fernandez’s campaign and the clear will of the electorate. Ramos‍ received 33.02% of the vote. Reuters

Focus on‍ Combating Drug-Related Violence

A central tenet of ⁣Fernandez’s campaign was a pledge to aggressively ⁣address the rising tide of violence associated with the cocaine trade. Costa Rica has increasingly become