Costa Rica President Laura Fernandez has been sworn into office, pledging sweeping security and judicial reforms as the Central American nation faces rising organised crime and record homicide levels.
In her inaugural address, Fernandez said Costa Rica could not allow criminal groups and drug traffickers to exploit weaknesses within state institutions. The 39-year-old leader also confirmed plans for a maximum-security prison and expanded police surveillance capabilities.
“Costa Rica cannot normalize the shame of seeing its institutions penetrated by crime. We cannot see that the drug traffickers find cracks in our system,” Fernandez said in her inaugural address.
“The reform we need is profound and we are going to promote it without fear,” she said.
Key developments:
- New Security Minister Gerald Campos will lead an intensified anti-organised crime strategy.
- Costa Rica recorded historically high murder rates during former President Rodrigo Chaves’ administration.
- Fernandez’s ruling Sovereign People party holds an absolute majority in parliament.
Fernandez, elected in February 2026, will serve until 2030 amid regional security challenges and global economic uncertainty.
ℹ️ Reuters
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