Costa Ricans Head to the Polls Amid Security Crisis, Chaves's Protégé Leads Race
San José, Costa Rica – Voters across Costa Rica cast their ballots on Sunday in a pivotal general election, with the ruling centre-right populist party seeking to consolidate power amid a nation grappling with record levels of drug-related violence and political fragmentation.
Polling stations opened at 6 a.m. local time, with initial results expected by nightfall. The election is widely seen as a referendum on the turbulent yet popular presidency of Rodrigo Chaves, whose protégé, Laura Fernández, has emerged as the clear frontrunner. Pre-election surveys showed Fernández hovering just above the 40% threshold needed to avoid an April 5 runoff.
"This vote is about security and stability," Fernández told supporters after casting her ballot. "The people have felt the failure of traditional politics. We offer a clear path forward." She has vowed to continue Chaves's confrontational stance against the political establishment and his signature crackdown on criminal gangs.
Trailing far behind are centrist economist Álvaro Ramos and former first lady Claudia Dobles, representing a progressive coalition. Both are polling in single digits but remain potential contenders for a second round should Fernández's support dip below the required majority.
Beyond the presidency, a key battleground is the 57-seat Legislative Assembly. The Chaves administration, holding only eight seats, has repeatedly blamed a hostile congress for legislative paralysis. Fernández has openly campaigned for a 40-seat supermajority, which would empower her government to pursue sweeping constitutional reforms—a prospect that alarms opposition figures.
Voter apathy and indecision, particularly among the young, could yet sway the outcome. Nearly a quarter of the 3.7 million electorate remained undecided in the final days, with significant blocs in coastal provinces hardest hit by the violence that saw homicides hit a historic peak under Chaves.
Despite the surge in violence and ongoing corruption probes into his administration, Chaves maintains a robust 58% approval rating, according to the University of Costa Rica's CIEP poll. His brand of anti-elite rhetoric and direct social media communication continues to resonate with a frustrated electorate.
Voices from the Ground:
María Elena Rojas, 58, School Teacher in San José: "I voted for change, but not for more confrontation. We need dialogue, not a supermajority that would silence other voices. Fernández's promise of continuity worries me—we've seen where that path leads on security."
Diego Vargas, 34, Small Business Owner in Puntarenas: "The gangs are killing our future. Chaves at least tried to fight them. I voted for Fernández because she promises more of that fight, and the strength in congress to actually get things done. Enough talk."
Dr. Alicia Sandoval, 42, Political Analyst at National University: "This election is less about ideology and more about granting executive power. A Fernández victory, especially with a legislative majority, would represent the most significant centralization of authority in decades, fundamentally altering Costa Rica's checks and balances."
Javier "El Toro" Mena, 29, Activist in Limón: "This is a farce! They've turned our fear into votes. More police, more soldiers—that's not a solution, it's a death sentence for our communities. Chaves failed, and now they want a mandate to fail harder? The old parties offered no hope, but this 'change' is a nightmare in disguise."