San José (EFE).- Political scientist Laura Fernández Delgado was sworn in as Costa Rica’s 50th president and the country’s second female president after receiving the presidential sash in a ceremony held at the National Stadium on Friday. She will serve a four-year term from 2026 to 2030.
The 39-year-old Fernández, who is from the right-wing Sovereign People’s Party, was sworn in by Yara Jiménez, the pro-government president of the Legislative Assembly, marking the first time a woman has sworn in another as ruler of Costa Rica, a country internationally recognized for its peace and democracy.
Outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves (2022-2026) handed over power to his former Minister of the Presidency.
Fernández confidently took the oath and addressed the attendees in the stadium. After receiving the presidential sash and returning to her seat, she appeared emotional.
In her speech, the president of the Legislative Assembly indicated that this «act marks the beginning of a new administration and demonstrates the solidity of the Costa Rican state. It is, moreover, a display of the civic maturity of a country that has made democracy its greatest strength.»
Francisco Gamboa, the first vice president, and Douglas Soto, the second vice president and future ambassador to the United States, were also sworn in during the ceremony.
Dressed completely in white, Fernández arrived with her husband, Jeffry Mauricio Umaña. The last official activity of the day for Fernández will be greeting the international delegations at the convention center on the outskirts of the capital.
Delegations from 71 countries and 18 international organizations began arriving on Wednesday to participate in the transition.
The event featured high-level representatives, including King Felipe VI of Spain and presidents Bernardo Arévalo of Guatemala, Nasry Asfura of Honduras, José Raúl Mulino of Panama, José Antonio Kast of Chile, Isaac Herzog of Israel, and Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic.
Thousands of people attended the ceremony at the National Stadium in San José, which was free to enter. Cultural activities and concerts will continue throughout the day..EFE
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