Costa Ricans vote as right-wing populists aim to extend mandate
Published on: Feb. 1, 2026, 5:30 p.m. | Source: Devdiscourse
Costa Ricans will vote in a general election on Sunday as the right-wing populist government seeks to extend its mandate and secure control of Congress at a time when drug-fueled violence has gripped the country. Laura Fernandez, President Rodrigo Chaves' protege and former chief of staff, is leading in the polls with just over 40%, enough to win outright and avoid an April 5 runoff.
