Elitists Crushed in Costa Rica Landslide

Hands holding a sign reading The Winner Is

Costa Rica’s voters delivered a resounding rejection of elitist establishment politics, electing right-wing populist Laura Fernández in a landslide that promises tough crackdowns on surging crime and economic revival.

Story Highlights

Laura Fernández wins outright with 48% of the vote on February 1, 2026, avoiding a runoff—the first such victory since 2010.
Her Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO) secures 31 of 57 legislative seats, granting a majority for swift reforms on crime and the economy.
Fernández, protégé of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, pledges “deep and irreversible” change amid voter fury over drug-fueled violence.
Traditional opposition parties crumble, losing seats and exposing their disconnect from everyday Costa Ricans demanding security and growth.

Election Victory Details

On February 1, 2026, Laura Fernández secured 48.3% of the vote in Costa Rica’s general election, defeating runner-up Álvaro Ramos who garnered 33%. Her PPSO party claimed 31 legislative seats out of 57, achieving a majority that enables passage of laws without opposition vetoes. This outcome followed high turnout in a field of 20 candidates, with partial counts at 90% confirming an insurmountable lead by late election night. Fernández declared victory on February 2, marking the second woman president after Laura Chinchilla in 2010.

Background of Rising Crime and Chavismo

Costa Rica, stable since abolishing its army in 1948, now grapples with violent crime spikes from drug trafficking and organized gangs. Public trust eroded in traditional parties like Partido de Liberación Nacional and Frente Amplio, viewed as elitist. Outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, a 2022 populist outsider and former World Bank official, popularized “Chavismo” with anti-elite rhetoric focused on security and growth. Term limits prevented his reelection, so he handpicked Fernández, his former chief of staff and minister, announced as candidate on July 29, 2025.

Fernández’s Platform and Victory Speech

Fernández, a 1986-born political scientist and ex-Minister of National Planning, campaigned on continuing Chaves’s agenda. Voters prioritized crime reduction, fueling her win as a plebiscite on “Chavismo.” In her February 2 victory speech, she vowed “deep and irreversible” change, a “third republic,” dialogue with non-obstructionists, and a merciless fight for security and prosperity. She rejected authoritarian labels while promising reforms unhindered by past legislative blocks.

Analyst Lucas Perelló of Florida Atlantic University noted the opposition’s failure to adapt, confirming Chavismo’s staying power. Supporters hail a path to safety; critics fear polarization, though crime drove unanimous voter demand.

Implications for Reforms and Stability

The legislative majority empowers Fernández to enact swift crime crackdowns and economic growth measures, including potential states of emergency, without Chaves-era excuses. Short-term, crime-impacted communities gain focus; long-term, it entrenches populist governance in a volatile region, shifting from stability beacon status. Opposition erosion forces rebranding, while constitutional changes remain out of reach needing 38 seats. Social divides may deepen, but security priorities align with common-sense demands for law and order.