Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s First 100 Days Under Laura Fernández
Institute for Development, Environment, and Freedom (RELIAL), Costa Rica
Vice President of RELIAL, 2022–2024
One hundred days into her term, President Laura Fernández Delgado continues to enjoy broad public support and is governing in accordance with her promise to carry forward the political agenda championed by Rodrigo Chaves. This analysis examines the key developments of her first 100 days, with an emphasis on governance, the relationship between the branches of government, security, and the economic challenges facing Costa Rica.
1. The Government of Continuity
The governing platform presented to the electorate by Laura Fernández Delgado during the 2026 election campaign in Costa Rica had a clear and explicit narrative: more opportunities, the same course—the Plan for Continuity.
Throughout the 2026 election campaign, Ms. Laura Fernández presented to the electorate the advantages of providing continuity to the projects that the government of Rodrigo Chaves Robles had been developing during the 2022–2026 term and, above all, of continuing to “eradicate the corruption within the state apparatus that has taken root in the country as a result of traditional parties remaining in power.”
Ms. Laura Fernández Delgado was part of former President Chaves Robles’s administration, first as Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy and later as Minister of the Presidency.
It is worth noting that former President Chaves Robles ran in the 2022 elections and led a campaign centered on the need to break the stranglehold of traditional political parties that have failed to address citizens’ needs. His platform positioned him as the second-strongest political force in the first round of the 2022 elections, and during the second round, former President Chaves Robles further emphasized his call to remove traditional politicians from government and went on to win the election with 52.82% of the vote.
At the start of the 2026 election campaign, the political group led by President Chaves Robles ran in the elections as the Sovereign People’s Party (PPSO), and in August 2025, the group officially nominated Laura Fernández Delgado as its presidential candidate.
2. Why choose continuity as a campaign strategy?
Polls conducted throughout former President Rodrigo Chaves Robles’s term showed his high level of approval among the population. According to polls by CID Gallup, Chaves Robles had approval ratings of nearly 64% in early 2024, while subsequent polls in 2025 reported that approximately 65% of respondents rated his performance as good or very good. A public opinion poll conducted at the end of his term revealed that 75% of respondents approved of the president’s work. This positions the former president as one of the most highly regarded political figures in recent years at the end of an administration. A high percentage of the population recognizes that economic management and fiscal discipline stand out as the greatest achievements of the Chaves Robles administration.
Meanwhile, public safety remains the most frequently cited challenge.
Ms. Laura Fernández Delgado capitalized on this popularity and public support during the 2026 election campaign, during which she stated that, if she won the election, she would keep former President Chaves Robles by her side in the executive branch. This campaign pledge came to fruition when President Fernández appointed Mr. Chaves Robles as Minister of the Presidency, Minister of Finance, and Coordinator of the Economic Cabinet—a clear sign of the former president’s influence on the current government’s political and economic decisions.
President Fernández Delgado received a total of 1,243,141 votes in the 2026 election, while former President Chaves Robles had received a total of 1,035,388 votes in the second round in 2022. The result shows a 20% increase (207,753 votes) in voter support, reflecting the success of a campaign based on continuity.
Former President Chaves Robles broke new ground in political communication in Costa Rica. His confrontational, frank, and direct style—sometimes featuring coarse language and a mocking tone—managed to captivate a high percentage of citizens, many of whom are now among his most active supporters. This style of communication with the public is his political tool, and in the first 100 days of the Fernández Delgado administration, it has become clear that the president is using the same communication style in an effort to maintain the support of former President Chaves Robles’s followers.
Two months after taking office, President Fernández Delgado remains among the top three presidents in Latin America, according to the “Latin American Presidents Ranking—July 2026” by the consulting firm CB Global Data. For the same period, a poll by Opol Consultores shows the president with a 73.5% public approval rating and ranks President Fernández Delgado and former President Chaves Robles as the political figures with the most positive public image, with scores of +66.06% and +56.14%, respectively.
3. Election Results
The voter roll for the 2026 election in Costa Rica totaled 3,731,788 citizens, and the abstention rate was 30.8%. Laura Fernández Delgado received a total of 1,243,141 votes in the February 1 election, representing 48.53% of the valid votes cast in that election. Her support was strongest in coastal areas, both within and outside the Central Valley. She was sworn in as President of the Republic on May 8, 2026. Between her election and her inauguration, Fernández Delgado returned to her position as Minister of the Presidency.
The election campaign, based on the promise to continue the 2022–2026 government’s agenda, was the factor most frequently cited by voters following the election on February 1, 2026, according to a survey by the Center for Political Research and Studies (CIEP) at the University of Costa Rica (UCR).
4. Majority of Representatives from the Ruling Party
Five political parties were represented in the Legislative Assembly. The PPSO won 31 of the 57 seats in the Legislative Assembly, thereby ensuring the passage of a large number of bills that require a simple majority. However, for bills requiring 38 votes (an absolute majority), the other parties represented in the Legislative Assembly have made their support for government bills conditional, which has hindered progress on bills proposed by the executive branch.
The National Liberation Party won 17 seats, the Broad Front Party secured 7 seats, and the Social Christian Unity Party and the Citizen Agenda Coalition each won 1 seat. These so-called “opposition” parties formed a bloc to work on joint initiatives, which has led to heated debates and clashes with the government caucus. It is worth noting that this situation is no different from other legislative sessions in Costa Rica, in which the governing bloc and other legislative blocs have clashed over various issues.
During its first 100 days in office, the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica (2026–2030) has approved more than a dozen bills in their second reading, most of them unanimously. Notable among these are the Law to Promote the Energy Transition, the Reform of the Commercial Code to eliminate a fee for the registration of email addresses required of corporations, the protection of development in the Southern Zone of Puntarenas—related to concessions for the Golfito Free Port—the Regulation of Cryptoassets to Combat Money Laundering, and the Strengthening of the Support Fund for Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises.
However, President Fernández Delgado criticizes opposition legislators every week for their lack of support for strategic bills such as the Bill to Harmonize the National Electric System (SEN), which passed its first reading in the Legislative Plenary but faces an uncertain future due to a lack of the votes needed for final approval. This bill has the support of the Costa Rican business sector, which has been calling for years for improvements in the administration of the SEN to reduce the high rates faced by the sector and boost the country’s competitiveness. On the other hand, this bill faces opposition from some labor unions in the energy sector.
Another controversial bill is the reform of the Mining Code to regulate the exploration and exploitation of metal mining in the country. The president has sought support from legislators in non-ruling-party factions, but it has been difficult to secure that backing. The bill aims to address a long-standing social and environmental problem in the Crucitas area, in the north of the country, where illegal gold mining—which authorities say largely involves foreign nationals—has prevented Costa Rica from benefiting from the wealth present in the area.
A controversial issue was the Legislative Assembly’s approval of the Republic’s First Extraordinary Budget for 2026, as it included a ₡70 billion reduction in authorized spending, driven by the Ministry of Finance to curb public spending. The reduction primarily affected the Judiciary, social programs, and various state institutions.
A controversial aspect is that this reduction impacts the Judiciary, which suffered operational cuts of up to 42% in its funds for current and operating expenses. In light of these cuts, judicial authorities warned that the lack of resources weakens the essential work required to administer justice and combat crime.
One of the most notable political developments during these first 100 days of the Legislative Branch has been the refusal of the ruling party caucus (PPSO) in the Legislative Assembly to appoint the alternate justices to the Constitutional Chamber from the list that the Full Court submitted to Congress. The argument has been that the candidates are not qualified and that the Judiciary must submit a new list of candidates.
5. Relations with the Judiciary
President Fernández Delgado’s confrontation with the Judiciary has been very evident since the beginning of her term. One case that received extensive media coverage was the president’s request that Justice Orlando Aguirre, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Justice, to resign, arguing that a different approach and “fresh blood” were needed to address the country’s security challenges. She also called for the resignation of Judge Patricia Solano, a judge on the Third Chamber, who, along with Aguirre, came under scrutiny following the judicial release of suspects linked to a drug-trafficking gang in Cartago Province.
Less than a month after taking office, President Fernández Delgado referred to the Attorney General of the Republic as a “national disgrace” and called opposition lawmakers “vagabonds and communists.” She also referred to the Comptroller General of the Republic as the person who obstructs projects crucial to the country’s development. On July 31, 2026, one of the most notorious incidents of this administration occurred when President Fernández Delgado described a ruling by the Constitutional Chamber as “a coup d’état by a sector of the judiciary against the Legislative Assembly.”
The Constitutional Chamber’s ruling came in response to a petition for constitutional protection filed by a citizen, who alleged that the failure to appoint alternate justices to the Chamber was infringing on his right to access constitutional justice and that several cases in which he was a party remained unresolved because some regular justices were required to recuse themselves from hearing them and there were no alternates to replace them. The Constitutional Chamber ordered the Legislative Assembly to resume the process of electing the nine alternate justices and, pending the election, ordered that those who previously held those positions be retained on a provisional basis until December 2025.
Without passing judgment on the actions of the Constitutional Chamber and the Office of the President, it is clear that tension between the two branches of government is evident. In the short term, this tension is not expected to subside. On the contrary, based on what has occurred over the past 100 days, it is possible to infer that the conflict could escalate, though it is impossible to predict the course it will take in the coming months.
6. Citizens Proud of Costa Rican Democracy
Marking the administration’s first three months in office, various social groups held a peaceful rally on August 6 at the Plaza de la Democracia in San José and at various locations throughout the country’s other provinces. The event was called the “Sit-In for Democratic Justice,” and its objective, according to some of the participants, was to express pride in Costa Rican democracy, support for the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the need for respectful dialogue among the three branches of government. Participants included officials from the judiciary, representatives of various opposition parties, university groups, union representatives, and citizens with no political party affiliation.
7. The Great Challenge: Confronting Organized Crime
President Fernández Delgado began her administration by reaffirming her campaign commitment to public safety. She firmly declared this government’s fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, with the goal of restoring public peace and putting an end to the turf war between drug-trafficking gangs.
The Costa Rican government is currently confronting deeply entrenched criminal drug trafficking networks that pose a critical threat to national security and the safety of its citizens. The country has evolved from being a traditional transit or storage hub into a key logistics center for the storage, processing, and re-export of cocaine to Europe and the United States, as well as for large-scale money laundering.
In May, the president launched the “Fuerza Élite” special security task force. This is a national security coordination and strategy group designed to combat organized crime, drug trafficking, and common crime. The team directly brings together senior officials and law enforcement units from the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Justice and Peace.
Fuerza Élite seeks to coordinate the actions of the security forces, the Drug Control Police (PCD), and the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS); exercise territorial control through interventions in complex areas with high crime rates, such as drug consumption hotspots or drug hideouts; and promote legislation aimed at tightening measures against organized crime and protecting citizens.
The president presented an initial package of bills to the Legislative Assembly aimed at improving security in the country. Among them are bills to take a hard line against repeat offenses, a bill to decommission airstrips, another on benefits for inmates who work and/or study, a bill to criminalize membership in criminal organizations, an initiative for the comprehensive protection of victims and law enforcement officers, and a bill on national security, civil registry, and judicial archives.
Two months later, in July 2026, President Laura Fernández presented a second package of legislative proposals to combat drug trafficking and organized crime. Among the initiatives are the elimination of the preliminary hearing to speed up trials, as well as the inclusion of new crimes that would allow for the extradition of Costa Ricans—such as international drug trafficking, contract killings, cybercrimes, and human trafficking.
A major event in the country was the arrest of Alejandro Arias Monge, alias “Diablo,” who leads one of the most significant, influential, and violent criminal organizations in Costa Rica’s recent history. The Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) and various international agencies, such as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), classify it as a mega-criminal organization due to its extensive reach, logistical capabilities, and financial resources. The arrest took place on July 24, 2026, in Sarapiquí, following an operation by the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ). Other members of the organization were also arrested during the operation. This is a major blow to one of the country’s most violent criminal organizations.
8. Public Assessment 100 Days Into the Administration
The National Survey on Political Current Affairs conducted by OPol Consultores between August 12 and 16, 2026—100 days after President Fernández Delgado took office—shows that 74.7% of respondents approve of the president’s performance, and 48.9% rate the government with scores above 8 (the maximum score on the scale is 10). This means that the administration is beginning its term with significant public support.
On the issue of public safety, 51.4% of respondents said they feel just as safe today as they did a year ago, and 68.1% expressed concern about the rise in drug trafficking. 96% agreed that laws against organized crime should be toughened. Thus, the survey shows that public safety and drug trafficking are the public’s main concerns.
50.4% of those interviewed indicated that their household’s economic situation is the same as it was a year ago, and 44% believe the situation will be better in a year’s time—that is, there is an expectation that the economic situation of the country and of households could improve over the next year.
Conclusions
1. The major challenge: confronting organized crime.
Costa Rica faces one of the greatest challenges in its history: combating organized crime structures operating in the country, with clear signs of an increase in contract killings (sicariato), drug trafficking, and turf wars. According to figures from the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), nearly seven out of ten homicides are contract killings or acts of revenge between gangs. The country has gone from being merely a transit point to a hub for drug storage and distribution, where small groups fight for control over drug sales in neighborhoods and where firearms are abundant, as most of these crimes are committed with illegal pistols and revolvers. The most affected areas are the coastal provinces, and in marginal urban areas, the neighborhoods with the fewest resources and the least government presence are the hardest hit.
2. The Challenge of Improving Public Finances Without New Taxes or Tax Increases
The Ministry of Finance forecasts a sharp drop in tax revenue; consequently, the government deficit is rising due to reduced tax collections. The head of the Central Bank has indicated that there are signs of deterioration in public finances.