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Laura Fernández

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Laura Fernández
Fernández in 2026
50th President of Costa Rica
Incumbent
Assumed office
8 May 2026
Vice President
Preceded byRodrigo Chaves
Minister of the Presidency of Costa Rica
In office
4 February 2026 – 8 May 2026
PresidentRodrigo Chaves
Preceded byHerself
Succeeded byRodrigo Chaves
In office
22 June 2024 – 31 January 2025
PresidentRodrigo Chaves
Preceded byNatalia Díaz Quintana
Succeeded byHerself
Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy of Costa Rica
In office
8 May 2022 – 8 January 2025
PresidentRodrigo Chaves
Preceded byPilar Garrido Gonzalo
Succeeded byMarta Esquivel Rodríguez [es]
Personal details
BornLaura Virginia Fernández Delgado
(1986-07-04) 4 July 1986 (age 40)
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
PartyPPSO (since 2025)
Other political
affiliations
Christian Democratic Alliance (2018–2025)
Spouse
Jeffrey Umaña Avendaño
​
​
(m. 2020)​
Children1[1]
Alma materUniversity of Costa Rica
Occupation
  • Politician
  • political scientist

Laura Virginia Fernández Delgado (Spanish: [ˈlawɾa βiɾˈxinja feɾˈnandes ðelˈɣaðo]; born 4 July 1986) is a Costa Rican politician and political scientist who has served as the president of Costa Rica since 2026.[2] As the presidential candidate of the Sovereign People's Party, Fernández won the 2026 presidential election. She previously served as the minister of national planning and economic policy from 2022 to 2025, as well as the minister of the presidency from 2024 to 2025.

Early life

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Fernández was born on 4 July 1986 in Esparza, in the coastal province of Puntarenas. She was raised in San Jose and studied politics and democratic governance at the University of Costa Rica.[3][4][5][6] She is a Catholic. [7]

Political career

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From 2008 to 2010, Fernández was a consultant for the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy's State Reform Program as a member of the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GIZ). She became a civil servant in the ministry in 2010 and served as a modernization and dispatch advisor until 2014. Fernández was an advisor to the Legislative Assembly from 2014 to 2018 on matters regarding public spending, finance, income, and government reforms.[8] During the 2018 Costa Rican presidential election, Fernández was one of Mario Redondo's [es] vice presidential candidates.[9]

In 2018, Fernández became a researcher at the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy, focusing on government cooperation, public employment, and administrative reform. From 2020 to 2021, she served as director of strategic planning for the municipality of Cartago, before returning to her role as a researcher at the ministry.[9] On 8 May 2022, President Rodrigo Chaves Robles appointed Fernández as the minister of national planning and economic policy. Chaves also appointed Fernández as Minister of the Presidency on 21 June 2024, succeeding Natalia Díaz Quintana. On 11 July 2024, she signed a decree establishing 30 July as a day to commemorate women's suffrage in Costa Rica. On 31 January 2025, Fernández resigned from her ministerial positions to be eligible to run as a presidential candidate in the 2026 Costa Rican presidential election.[10]

Presidency (2026–present)

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Election and presidential transition

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On 29 July 2025, Fernández officially announced her presidential candidacy as a member of the Sovereign People's Party (PPSO).[11] She presented herself as a continuation of Chaves' presidency, as Chaves is term limited, and as a supporter of Chavism.[5][12] Fernández was one of twenty presidential candidates and one of five female candidates.[13] She was elected president with 48.3% of the vote.[14]

Her victory was congratulated by many Latin American leaders, the Prime Minister of Spain and the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.[15][16][17] Fernández resumed her role as Minister of the Presidency on 4 February.[18]

Fernández would be sworn in on 8 May 2026 as the second female president of Costa Rica after Laura Chinchilla.[19] She was sworn in before Yara Jiménez, president of the Legislative Assembly.[20] Supporting the Chavista idea of a "Third Republic" in Costa Rica, she has pledged to reform the government, fight corruption, expand free enterprise, and promote trade, in addition to strengthening Costa Rica–Israel relations.[21][22][23] She has pledged to build a 5,000 inmate mega-prison inspired by the Salvadoran model of Nayib Bukele. [24]

She presented her cabinet on 5 May 2026 at Melico Salazar Theatre, and in which she included outgoing president Rodrigo Chaves as the new minister of presidency and finance.[25]

Inauguration

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Fernandez Delgado was sworn in as President on 8 May 2026. Her inauguration took place in the National Stadium of Costa Rica and attended by multiple foreign officeholders and politicians, including Felipe VI, José Raúl Mulino, Luis Abinader, Nasry Asfura, José Antonio Kast, and Isaac Herzog, among others.[26]

Cabinet

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Ministers of the Fernández administration[27]
Ministry Minister Start of term End of term
Ministry of the Presidency Rodrigo Chaves Robles 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship Manuel Tovar Rivera 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Public Security Gerald Campos Valverde 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Public Education José Leonardo Sánchez Hernández 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Health Alexander Sánchez Cabo 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy Carla Morales Rojas 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications Paula Bogantes Zamora 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Foreign Trade Indiana Trejos Gallo 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Environment and Energy Mónica Navarro del Valle 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Public Works and Transport Efraím Zeledón Leiva 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Labor and Social Security Roy Thompson Chacón 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Finance Rodrigo Chaves Robles 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Justice and Peace Gabriel Aguilar Vargas 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce María del Milagro Solórzano León 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Juan Gabriel Ramírez Guillén 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Culture and Youth Jorge Rodríguez Vives 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements Guillermo Carazo Ramírez 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Communication Arnold Zamora Miranda 8 May 2026 Incumbent
Ministry of Human Development and Social Inclusion Yorleny León Marchena 8 May 2026 Incumbent

Political positions

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Fernández's political positions are described as right-wing populist.[28][29][30] She self describes as liberal in economic matters and conservative in social matters. [31]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Quién es Laura Fernández, la nueva presidenta de Costa Rica". La Tercera. 2 February 2026.
  2. ↑ Villegas, Alexander (2 February 2026). "Costa Rican populists win commanding victory but fall short of legislative supermajority". Reuters.
  3. ↑ "Laura Fernandez, Costa Rica's next president, aims to keep on populist path". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  4. ↑ Ahmad, Amreen (2 February 2026). "Who is Laura Fernandez ? Elected Costa Rica President with 48.3% Vote in 2026 Election | Everything You Need to Know". The Sunday Guardian. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  5. 1 2 Arias, Héctor (7 September 2025). "¿Quién es Laura Fernández? Edad, Biografía y Candidatura Presidencial 2026 en Costa Rica" [Who Is Laura Fernández? Age, Biography, and 2026 Presidential Candidate in Costa Rica]. Voces de Costa Rica (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 12 December 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  6. ↑ "Laura Fernández: La Economista que Apuesta por un País Más Eficiente y Moderno" [Laura Fernández: The Economist Who Believes in a More Efficient and Modern Country]. Noticias Red CR (in Spanish). 16 October 2025. Archived from the original on 12 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  7. ↑ Franco, Juan David Mosos (8 May 2026). "Laura Fernández jura como la segunda mujer presidenta de Costa Rica y anuncia "mano dura" - EFE". EFE Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  8. ↑ "Laura Fernández Delgado: Perfil Académico y Profesional" [Laura Fernández Delgado: Academic and Professional Profile] (PDF). Supreme Electoral Court (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  9. 1 2 Batista Márquez, Marilyn (20 November 2017). "A los 31 Años Aspira a Convertirse en Vice Presidenta de la República" [At 31 Years Old, She Aspires to Become Vice President of the Republic]. Revista Petra (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 12 December 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  10. ↑ Mora, Carlos (30 January 2025). "Laura Fernández Deja Presidencia Tras 7 Meses de Constantes Cuestionamientos" [Laura Fernández Leaves the Presidency After 7 Months of Constant Questioning]. CR Hoy (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 12 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  11. ↑ "Exministra Laura Fernández Oficializa su Candidatura Presidencial por el Chavismo" [Former Minister Laura Fernández Formalizes Her Presidential Candidacy for Chavism]. El País.cr (in Spanish). 29 July 2025. Archived from the original on 29 July 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  12. ↑ Murillo, Álvaro (13 August 2025). "Una Exministra Leal, la Apuesta de Rodrigo Chaves en las Presidenciales en Costa Rica" [A Loyal Former Minister, Rodrigo Chaves's Gamble in the Costa Rican Presidential Election]. El País (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 25 November 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  13. ↑ "Estos son los 20 Candidatos a Presidente de Costa Rica para las Elecciones 2026" [These are the 20 Candidates for President of Costa Rica in the 2026 Elections]. Grupo de Diarios América (in Spanish). 1 October 2025. Archived from the original on 12 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  14. ↑ "Conservative populist Laura Fernández wins Costa Rican presidency, preliminary results show". AP News. 2 February 2026. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  15. ↑ "Congratulating Costa Rica's President-Elect Laura Fernández Delgado's Electoral Victory". United States Department of State. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  16. ↑ Rivera, Marcella; Quirós Zúñiga, Fabricio; Parada, Abigail; García, Jessica; Urías, Thania; Urquilla, Katlen (1 February 2026). "Elecciones en Costa Rica: Líderes internacionales felicitan a Laura Fernández por su elección como presidenta" [Elections in Costa Rica: International leaders congratulate Laura Fernández on her election as president]. Infobae (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 1 February 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  17. ↑ "Sánchez felicita a la nueva presidenta de Costa Rica Laura Fernández y espera mantener una relación "cercana"" [Sánchez congratulates Costa Rica's new president Laura Fernández and hopes to maintain a 'close' relationship]. Europapress (in Spanish). 2 February 2026.
  18. ↑ Arrieta, Esteban (4 February 2026). "Laura Fernández empieza a gobernar como ministra de la Presidencia". Periodico La República. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  19. ↑ Muñoz-Ledo, Rocío (2 February 2026). "Laura Fernández asumirá en mayo como la segunda mujer presidenta de Costa Rica" [Laura Fernández will take office in May as Costa Rica's second female president] (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  20. ↑ Franco, Juan David Mosos (8 May 2026). "Laura Fernández jura como la segunda mujer presidenta de Costa Rica y anuncia "mano dura" - EFE". EFE Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  21. ↑ Bolaños, Javier (2 February 2026). "Laura Fernández wins Costa Rica presidency after first-round victory, invokes faith in victory speech". www.christianpost.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  22. ↑ "Costa Rica elects Laura Fernandez president in first round". UPI. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  23. ↑ Feldman, Joseph (2 February 2026). "Israeli FM Congratulates Costa Rica's Laura Fernández on Election Lead, Vows to Deepen Ties". VINnews. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  24. ↑ Franco, Juan David Mosos (8 May 2026). "Laura Fernández jura como la segunda mujer presidenta de Costa Rica y anuncia "mano dura" - EFE". EFE Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  25. ↑ Granados, Greivin (5 May 2026). "Laura Fernández oficializa su gabinete: Conozca a los ministros y presidencias ejecutivas que la acompañarán" [Laura Fernández announces her cabinet: Meet the ministers and executive directors who will be working alongside her]. El Observador (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  26. ↑ Murillo, Alvaro (8 May 2026). "Costa Rica's Laura Fernandez takes office, vowing 'war' on crime". Reuters. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  27. ↑ "President-Elect Laura Fernández Unveils New Cabinet | CostaRica". costarica.vn. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  28. ↑ Webber, Jude (2 February 2026). "Rightwing populist set to win Costa Rica presidential vote". Financial Times. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  29. ↑ Carnahan, Ashley (3 February 2026). "Who is the populist conservative president-elect in Costa Rica?". Fox News. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  30. ↑ Murillo, Alvaro; Villegas, Alexander (3 February 2026). "Laura Fernandez, Costa Rica's next president, aims to keep on populist path". Reuters. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  31. ↑ Franco, Juan David Mosos (8 May 2026). "Laura Fernández jura como la segunda mujer presidenta de Costa Rica y anuncia "mano dura" - EFE". EFE Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 August 2026.
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