Costa Rica's New Leader Seeks Bukele's Blueprint to Combat Surging Narco-Violence
In a move signaling a dramatic policy shift, Costa Rica's President-elect Laura Fernandez has openly sought counsel from El Salvador's hardline leader Nayib Bukele to combat a relentless surge in drug-related crime that is tarnishing the nation's long-held reputation for peace.
The request, confirmed by Fernandez on Monday, follows her landslide victory in Sunday's election, which continued Latin America's recent rightward political trend. Costa Rica, traditionally celebrated for its eco-tourism and stable democracy, now finds itself a strategic transit point for international narcotics networks, driving homicide rates to historic highs.
Once a beacon of safety in the region, the demilitarized nation ended 2025 with a homicide rate of 17 per 100,000 inhabitants—nearly triple the global average. This stark reality has propelled crime to the top of the political agenda.
Fernandez's strategy appears to borrow directly from the Bukele playbook. During her campaign, she vowed a fierce crackdown on organized crime and announced plans to construct a $35 million mega-prison designed to hold 5,000 high-risk inmates, explicitly modeled after El Salvador's CECOT "Terrorism Confinement Center."
"We must sever organized crime's links to the outside world," Fernandez stated. "This prison must become a reality."
Bukele, hailed by many for restoring order but condemned by rights groups for his methods, was the first foreign leader to congratulate Fernandez. She noted he emphasized "his commitment to continue helping," particularly on the prison project.
Bukele's anti-gang campaign, initiated under a state of emergency in 2022, has led to over 90,000 arrests. While credited with drastically reducing murders, it has faced intense criticism from human rights organizations for alleged abuses, warrantless detentions, and the incarceration of innocent individuals and minors.
Voices from the Ground
Carlos Mendez, Security Analyst in San José: "Fernandez is responding to genuine public fear. The violence is unprecedented here. While Bukele's results are compelling, Costa Rica must adapt any model to fit our strong constitutional and human rights framework. A blind copy-paste could be disastrous."
Ana Flores, Small Business Owner in Limón: "Finally! We live in fear every day. If Bukele's methods clean up the streets, I support it. Our democracy is strong, but it's failing to protect us. We need action, not just ideals."
Dr. Elena Vargas, Human Rights Lawyer: "This is a terrifying pivot. Are we so desperate that we will trade our democratic soul for the illusion of security? Bukele's system is built on mass incarceration and rights violations. Fernandez is flirting with authoritarianism, and the cost will be borne by the poorest and most vulnerable."
Miguel Soto, Political Science Professor: "This outreach is highly symbolic. It aligns Fernandez with a powerful regional figure and signals a break from the past. However, the real test will be implementation. Costa Rica's institutions are robust; they will likely temper the most extreme measures."