Laura Fernandez has been sworn in as Costa Rica’s new president, leading the right-wing Sovereign People’s Party (PPSO) with an absolute majority in the legislature. She has pledged to tackle rising crime in the country and maintain strong ties with the United States. Fernandez defeated a crowded field in the February 1 election to replace outgoing president Rodrigo Chaves, who remains in the government as the dual minister of the presidency and finance. To emphasize her commitment to the US, Fernandez has appointed her second vice president as the ambassador to Washington.
Why It Matters
Fernandez’s inauguration marks a shift to a right-wing leadership in Costa Rica, with a focus on security and close relations with the US. Her plans for sweeping reforms in the judiciary and security laws, along with a crackdown on crime, will be closely watched. The country’s increasing role as a drug smuggling route to the US adds urgency to her promise of a “heavy-handed war against organized crime.” The close ties with the US and the appointment of key officials signal a potential shift in Costa Rica’s foreign policy.
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