Rightwing populist elected in landslide after promising to crack down on rising violence linked to cocaine trade
The rightwing populist Laura Fernández has won Costa Rica’s presidential election in a landslide after promising to crack down on rising violence linked to the cocaine trade.
Fernández’s nearest rival, centre-right economist Álvaro Ramos, conceded defeat as results showed the ruling party far exceeding the threshold of 40% needed to avoid a runoff.
With 94% of polling stations counted, the political heir of outgoing president, Rodrigo Chaves, had captured 48.3% of the vote, compared with Ramos’s 33.4%, according to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).
As soon as the first results were announced, members of Fernández’s Sovereign People’s party erupted in celebrations around the country, waving blue, red and white-striped Costa Rican flags. “Viva Rodrigo Chaves,” some cheered, in a nod to Fernández’s mentor.
