Archive · 29 Jan 2026
Costa Rica's Presidential Election: Right-Wing Populist Leads
Costa Rica is having a big election to choose a new president.
Laura Fernandez, a right-wing politician, is leading in the polls.
She wants to be tough on crime and change some laws.
There are 19 other candidates, but most are not as popular.
Some people are worried about her policies, but many voters like her ideas.
The country has been having more problems with drugs and violence, so people want a strong leader.
The election is important because it will decide the future of Costa Rica.
Laura Fernandez, a right-wing populist, is the frontrunner in Costa Rica's presidential election with over 40% support in polls.
Fernandez has promised to continue tough-on-crime policies and reform the judiciary and constitution.
Other notable candidates include Alvaro Ramos, Claudia Dobles, Ariel Robles, and Jose Miguel Aguilar, but they are polling in the single digits.
The election is seen as a referendum on the current president's policies amid a surge in drug trafficking and violence.
Most opposition candidates have warned against the risk of an emerging authoritarian model led by the current president.
- Who
- Laura Fernandez, Alvaro Ramos, Claudia Dobles, Ariel Robles, Jose Miguel Aguilar, and 15 other candidates
- What
- Presidential election in Costa Rica
- When
- Sunday, January 28, 2024
- Where
- Costa Rica
- Why
- To elect the next president amid a surge in crime and drug trafficking
- Frontrunner
- Laura Fernandez
- Frontrunner's Party
- Sovereign People’s Party
- Frontrunner's Age
- 39
- Frontrunner's Previous Role
- Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy, President’s Chief of Staff
- Frontrunner's Polling
- Over 40%
- Other Notable Candidates
- Alvaro Ramos, Claudia Dobles, Ariel Robles, Jose Miguel Aguilar
- Election Date
- Sunday, January 28, 2024
- Total Candidates
- 20