The ‘Trump effect’ is clearly spreading!
Costa Rica is preparing for a major political transition following the apparent election victory of conservative candidate Laura Fernández Delgado, whose Sovereign People’s Party secured just over 48 percent of the national vote based on preliminary results released Sunday.
According to Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the country’s election authority, the long-dominant National Liberation Party finished a distant second with approximately 33 percent support — a result that analysts say reflects voter fatigue with establishment politics and growing demand for tougher leadership.
Addressing supporters in San José, Fernández signaled that her administration would pursue sweeping reforms. “The changes ahead will be deep and lasting,” she said during her victory speech, according to translated remarks reported by international media.
Fernández, a former cabinet minister, was widely regarded as the political heir to outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, who is constitutionally barred from seeking another term. At 39, she is set to become Costa Rica’s second female president, following Laura Chinchilla’s administration from 2010 to 2014.
U.S. officials quickly acknowledged the election outcome. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Fernández on her victory and emphasized Washington’s intent to work closely with the incoming government on shared priorities.
In a statement, Rubio pointed to cooperation on combating drug trafficking, reducing illegal migration to the United States, strengthening cybersecurity and telecommunications infrastructure, and expanding economic ties — issues that have taken on increased importance under President Trump’s foreign-policy framework.
Fernández has built her political brand around traditional values, emphasizing faith, family, and public safety. Those positions helped her gain traction among Costa Rica’s growing evangelical and socially conservative voters, according to political observers.
She has also expressed admiration for El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and his aggressive approach to crime reduction. Fernández has indicated she supports similar security strategies and has pledged to complete construction of a maximum-security prison modeled after El Salvador’s CECOT facility.
Supporters view her victory as part of a broader regional trend toward tougher governance, border enforcement, and closer cooperation with the United States — trends that have accelerated during President Trump’s second term.
Fernández is scheduled to be sworn in on May 8, officially ushering in a new chapter for Costa Rica’s government and its relationship with Washington.
