Laura Fernandez sworn in as Costa Ricas new president

Laura Fernandez has been inaugurated as Costa Rica’s new president, following a February 1 election in which her right-wing party secured an absolute majority in the country’s legislature. Fernandez defeated a crowded field of candidates to succeed outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, who will remain in office as dual minister of the presidency and finance.

As part of her administration, Fernandez has appointed Douglas Soto as her second vice president, who will serve as ambassador to the United States. The US special envoy, Kristi Noem, was also present at the inauguration. Additionally, Israeli President Isaac Herzog attended the ceremony as part of efforts to strengthen ties with Costa Rica.

Fernandez has vowed to implement sweeping reforms to Costa Rica’s judiciary and security laws, as well as a broad crackdown on crime. She has introduced her new security minister, Gerald Campos, and stated that she will pursue “a war without quarter” against organized crime. The country has seen an increase in crime in recent years, with many cases involving smuggling of drugs to the United States.

Costa Rica is building a maximum-security prison modelled on El Salvador’s CECOT centre, which has been used to hold hundreds of Venezuelans without trial after deportation from the US. The country has also agreed to accept non-citizens deported from the US under an agreement signed in March. Rights groups have expressed concerns about the “third-country agreements” that can lead to deportees being stranded in countries with no ties and facing potential human rights abuses.

Fernandez’s party, the Sovereign People’s Party (PPSO), won 31 of 57 seats in the single-chamber legislature, giving her an absolute majority as she takes office.

Source: Al Jazeera