Fernández Assumes Office as Costa Rica’s Second Female President— Vows Crackdown to Crime

Laura Fernández has officially been sworn in as the new president of Costa Rica, becoming the country’s second female leader and promising an aggressive crackdown on organized crime and corruption.

Fernández took office on Friday during an inauguration ceremony held at the National Stadium in San José, attended by delegations from more than 70 countries and several international organizations. Spain’s King Felipe VI and other foreign dignitaries were among those present at the ceremony.

The 39-year-old conservative leader succeeds outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves and has pledged continuity with his administration while introducing tougher security measures to tackle rising violence linked to drug trafficking. Costa Rica, long regarded as one of Central America’s most peaceful nations, has experienced record homicide rates in recent years as criminal networks expanded their operations across the region.

In her remarks ahead of taking office, Fernández vowed to wage a “war without quarter” against organized crime and announced plans for sweeping reforms to the judiciary and national security laws. She recently named Gerald Campos as her security minister as part of efforts to strengthen law enforcement.

Fernández won the February presidential election with nearly half of the national vote and campaigned on promises of economic growth, anti-corruption reforms and stronger security policies. Her Sovereign People party also secured a legislative majority, giving her administration significant political influence in parliament.

The new president is widely seen as a close ally of former President Chaves, who is expected to remain influential in the new government after being appointed to senior ministerial positions. Critics have raised concerns about the concentration of political power, while supporters argue the arrangement will ensure policy continuity and stability.