February 1st, 2026 - Right-Wing Candidate Emerges as Clear Front-Runner in Costa Rica’s Presidential Race

When Costa Ricans vote on Sunday, they will be deciding more than who leads the country next. The election may also determine whether the governing style of the current administration is criticized by opponents for weakening democratic checks.

President Rodrigo Chaves, a right-wing populist barred by law from seeking immediate re-election, has retained strong public support despite clashes with the judiciary and electoral authorities. His chosen successor, Laura Fernández, has emerged as the clear front-runner in a crowded field of 20 candidates, as voters grapple with rising violence and insecurity.

Ms. Fernández, 39, who previously served as Mr. Chaves’s main liaison to the Legislative Assembly, is polling near or above the 40 percent threshold needed to win outright in the first round. Her nearest rivals, economist Álvaro Ramos and former first lady Claudia Dobles, trail far behind in single digits, according to recent polling by the University of Costa Rica.

Although Mr. Chaves cannot run again, Ms. Fernández has largely embraced his agenda, promising continuity at a moment when concerns about organized crime dominate public debate. Costa Rica, long seen as one of Latin America’s safest democracies, has been shaken by a sharp rise in homicides linked to drug trafficking networks.

Her proposals include declaring states of emergency in high-crime areas, reshaping a judiciary she says obstructs governance, and completing a high-security prison inspired by El Salvador’s hard-line crackdown on gangs. Supporters argue these measures are necessary to restore order, while critics warn they could erode civil liberties.

Human rights groups and democracy experts have raised alarms about the concentration of power under Mr. Chaves and fear a Fernández presidency could accelerate that trend. They point to his attacks on watchdog agencies, prosecutors and journalists, and to efforts to weaken oversight institutions as troubling signs for Costa Rica’s democratic tradition.

For many voters, however, insecurity outweighs institutional concerns. With violence touching ordinary families and public trust in political parties at historic lows, analysts say a desire for firm leadership is shaping the race, leaving Costa Rica at a crossroads between its long-standing democratic norms and a growing appetite for tougher, more centralized rule.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Gargantuan (gahr-GAN-chuh-wun) - Gargantuan describes something that is very large in size or amount; something gargantuan is, in other words, gigantic.

Example: Bigfoot is said to be a creature of gargantuan proportions.

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