Costa Ricans have elected conservative populist Laura Fernández as their next president, according to preliminary results, making her the latest right-leaning leader to win office in Latin America.
With results from 96.8% of polling places counted, Fernández of the Sovereign People’s Party won 48.3% of the vote, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal reported.
Her closest challenger, economist Álvaro Ramos of the National Liberation Party, trailed with 33.4%, the populist agenda, which reshaped Costa Rican politics by arguing against traditional parties and promising tougher action on crime.
Fernández served as minister of national planning and later as minister of the presidency, giving her a central role in Chaves’ administration.
Crime had dominated the campaign in Costa Rica amid sharp rises in homicides, gang activity and drug trafficking by cartels.
The murder rate had increased by 50% over the last six years, according to Marco Rubio congratulated Fernández in a statement Monday.
"Under her leadership, we are confident Costa Rica will continue to advance shared priorities to include combating narco-trafficking, ending illegal immigration to the United States, promoting cybersecurity and secure telecommunications, and strengthening economic ties," Rubio said.
"I hope that we can immediately lower the flags of whichever political party and start working only in favor of the Costa Rican flag," Fernández said after the result.
"I believe the Costa Rican people expect nothing less of us," she added.