Costa Rica’s president-elect, Laura Fernández, has described Mexico as an example of what her country should avoid in terms of security. In an interview with the Mexican newspaper Milenio, Fernández stated that she does not want Costa Rica to experience issues similar to those faced by Mexico.
“(I was referring) to the problems that sadly our brother country Mexico has faced regarding the exponential growth of drug trafficking networks and crimes against life. For me, Mexico is a reference point for where we do not want to go… in some cities, of course,” Fernández said during the interview.
She also mentioned that she would seek to prevent scenarios like those seen in El Salvador, Ecuador, or Colombia from happening in Costa Rica.
Fernández’s remarks drew criticism from Gerardo Fernández Noroña, a senator from Mexico’s ruling party. He called her comments “very unfortunate” and added: “That she justifies her subordination by speaking badly about a country that has been deeply supportive of Costa Rica shows her true colors.” The senator further commented that “Fernández is the Trumpist right in Costa Rica.”
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has not commented on Fernández’s statements.
During the same interview, Fernández reiterated her willingness to ask Congress for the suspension of individual rights and freedoms in extraordinary cases “in the event of a national catastrophe.” This proposal attracted criticism from opposition parties during the recent election campaign. However, she clarified that such measures would not be considered under current circumstances since “we have not seen an exponential increase.”
Under President Rodrigo Chaves’ administration, Costa Rica experienced its most violent year on record. There were 654 homicides in 2022; this number rose to 905 in 2023—the highest ever recorded—before dropping slightly to 876 in 2024. In 2025, there were 873 homicides. Over Chaves’ term so far, more than 3,300 people have been killed.
Fernández again absolved the executive branch from blame for Costa Rica’s homicide crisis and pointed instead at the judiciary: “It is not enough for the Government of the Republic to have good intentions. We could put a police officer on every corner of Costa Rica; if police arrest criminals but they are not jailed or are imprisoned only briefly, we remain stuck in a vicious circle—and we are also putting public funds into a basket with holes,” she said.
She described Costa Rica’s security situation as “very sad.” Fernández also indicated plans to continue joint security operations with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and expressed interest in strengthening alliances with the United States.
On March 7th, Chaves and Fernández are scheduled to meet with Trump in Florida to discuss a program called “Shield of the Americas.”
On March 5th, Costa Rica signed a joint declaration with the United States and fifteen other countries across North and South America affirming their commitment to “peace through strength” within the Western Hemisphere.
Recently, Fabián Silva—a key adviser to Fernández—suggested establishing U.S. military bases within Costa Rican territory.
