politics
May 8, 2026
Laura Fernández assumes the presidency of Costa Rica and declares herself "heir of change" of Rodrigo Chaves
The new leader promised not to "attack the separation of powers" but attacked judges and announced she will review 335 public institutions to close "those that lost their way." Rodrigo Chaves, far from retiring, took office as Super Minister with his judicial protection intact. His shadow as a political patron over Fernández is evident from the start of the mandate of the second woman to hold the Costa Rican presidency. And Nicaraguan Vice-Chancellor Valdrack Jaentschke, accused by the UN of coordinating an espionage network against exiles, attended smiling, despite calls to uninvite him.
TL;DR
- Laura Fernández was sworn in as Costa Rica's 50th president, the second woman to hold the office.
- She declared herself an "heir of change" to her predecessor, Rodrigo Chaves.
- Chaves will serve as a 'Super Minister,' overseeing the Presidencia and Hacienda portfolios.
- Fernández's inaugural speech echoed Chaves' populist rhetoric, focusing on "the people" versus "elites."
- She promised to revise public institutions, potentially closing "those that lost their way."
- Critics point to Chaves' term being marked by institutional erosion and a rise in homicides.
- Fernández announced plans for a 'mega-prison' and reforms to address organized crime.
- Chaves retains judicial immunity, with over 60 pending legal and electoral cases.
- The article notes Costa Rica's economic growth under Chaves but also a decline in social investment and women's labor force participation.
- Valdrack Jaentschke, Nicaraguan Vice-Chancellor, attended the inauguration despite accusations of coordinating espionage against exiles.