‘Pura Vida’ on Pause: Costa Rica Becomes Second Central American Nation To Elect Hardline Populist President

For decades, Costa Rica has been the poster child of pacifism in a turbulent region — a land of eco-tourism and no standing army, famously defined by the laid-back national motto “Pura Vida,” or “Simple Life.”But on Sunday, voters traded that easygoing philosophy for an iron fist, electing a leader who is promising that the only way to preserve paradise is to police it with unprecedented force.Conservative populist Laura Fernández secured a commanding victory in Costa Rica’s general election, ushering in what she claims will be a “new political era” for the Central American nation.With more than 80 percent of polling stations counted, Mr. Fernández secured 48.9 percent of the vote, enough to avoid a runoff against her closest rival, centrist economist Álvaro Ramos. Her victory was bolstered by her party, the Sovereign People’s Party, which is projected to claim a majority of 30 seats in the 57-seat Congress.“Costa Rica has voted for the continuity of change, a change that seeks to restore and improve institutions and return them to the sovereign people in order to create greater well-being and prosperity,” Ms. Fernández told supporters in San Jose after declaring victory.The election was overshadowed by a surge in crime that has rattled the country’s identity as a safe haven. Government figures show that 2023 was the most violent year in recent history, with a record 905 homicides attributed largely to drug trafficking.Ms. Fernández, 39, campaigned on a hard-line security platform modeled after El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele. She has vowed to declare states of emergency in high-crime areas to limit civil liberties and promised to complete a high-security penitentiary modeled after El Salvador’s notorious CECOT mega-prison.This approach marks a sharp pivot for a country that abolished its army in 1948. However, retiring President Rodrigo Chaves, who handpicked Ms. Fernández as his successor, recently broke ground on a CECOT-style prison with Mr. Bukele’s blessing.“Nayib Bukele’s presence is important, legitimate, and honors us,” Mr. Chaves declared at the ceremony.Ms. Fernández, a former political adviser and chief of staff to Mr. Chaves, is known for her theatrical speaking style and conservative Catholic background. Her rise has been controversial; opponents have accused her of being a “puppet” for Mr. Chaves, questioning her autonomy.Ms. Fernández remained defiant in her victory speech, declaring that the country’s post-civil war era “is a thing of the past.” “Change will be deep and irreversible,” she said. “It’s up to us to build the third republic.”While security dominated the headlines, economic anxiety also drove voters to the polls. Despite joining the OECD and seeing growth in tech exports, many Costa Ricans feel left behind.Ms. Fernández will be Costa Rica’s second female president, following after Laura Chinchilla, who governed from 2010 to 2014. Her rival, Álvaro Ramos, conceded late Sunday, stating his party would “support her when her decisions are for the good of the country.”

‘Pura Vida’ on Pause: Costa Rica Becomes Second Central American Nation To Elect Hardline Populist President

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