Costa Rica's New President Vows 'War Without Quarter' Against Drug Gangs
Primary region South America
Tags Policy · Security · Immigration
Regions South America
Laura Fernandez was sworn in as Costa Rica's president on May 8, vowing a firm hand and war without quarter against organized crime in the Central American nation. The 39-year-old right-wing politician won the February 1 election with 49% of the vote and 31 of 57 legislative seats, giving her party an absolute majority. Fernandez cited El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele as an inspiration and announced plans to overhaul the judiciary, toughen prison sentences, and inaugurate a maximum-security prison modeled on El Salvador's CECOT facility. Costa Rica has become a key transit point for South American cocaine, with murder rates reaching record levels under predecessor Rodrigo Chaves. Fernandez appointed former president Chaves as a super-minister in her government of continuity. Costa Rica has also agreed to accept non-citizens deported from the US under a March agreement.
Strategic interpretation
Fernandez's adoption of the Bukele model signals a broader regional shift toward authoritarian crime-fighting approaches in Central America, with implications for human rights and democratic norms. Her appointment of Chaves as super-minister suggests continuity with his pro-US positioning, which may align Costa Rica more closely with Trump's regional security agenda. The agreement to accept US-deported non-citizens makes Costa Rica a participant in the expanding US deportation infrastructure, potentially straining domestic institutions.