Laura Fernández Wins Presidency on Vow to Combat Drug Violence

Laura Fernández won the Costa Rican presidential election in the first round after securing nearly 50 percent of the vote on a platform focused on aggressive security measures.The former minister defeated Álvaro Ramos by campaigning on plans to build mega-prisons and establish states of emergency to combat record homicide rates linked to international drug trafficking.While Nayib Bukele congratulated the president-elect, critics such as Óscar Arias expressed concern regarding her proposals for constitutional reform and increased executive power.