Tough-talking right-winger wins Costa Rica presidency

San José, Costa Rica — Right-wing political scientist Laura Fernandez won Costa Rica’s presidential election on Sunday by a landslide, after promising to crack down on rising violence linked to the cocaine trade.

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Costa Rica's presidential candidate from the Sovereign People Party, Laura Fernandez, gestures to supporters during her victory speech after the presidential election results at the Aurola Hotel, in San Jose. AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

(AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE)

Fernandez's nearest rival, center-right economist Alvaro Ramos, conceded defeat as results showed the ruling party far exceeding the threshold of 40 percent needed to avoid a runoff.

With 94 percent of polling stations counted, the political heir of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves had captured 48.3 percent of the vote compared to Ramos’s 33.4 percent, according to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).

As soon as the first results were announced, members of Fernandez’s Sovereign People’s party erupted in celebrations around the country, waving blue, red and white-striped Costa Rican flags.

“Viva Rodrigo Chaves,” some cheered, in a nod to Fernandez’s mentor.

Appearing via video link at her party’s official election night gathering in the capital San Jose, Fernandez, 39, thanked Chaves for giving her “the confidence to be president-elect of Costa Rica” and said his legacy was in good hands.