According to preliminary results, Costa Ricans have selected as their next president, making her the latest right-leaning leader to assume office in Latin America.
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal reported that with 96.8% of polling places’ results counted, Fernández of the Sovereign People’s Party secured 48.3% of the vote.
Her closest rival, economist Álvaro Ramos of the National Liberation Party, trailed with 33.4%, the reported.
Ramos conceded defeat on election night, and the 39-year-old Fernández will begin her four-year term in May.
A former government minister, Fernández is the chosen successor of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, who is constitutionally barred from seeking re-election.
She campaigned on continuing Chaves’ , which reshaped Costa Rican politics by opposing traditional parties and promising tougher action on crime.
Fernández served as minister of national planning and later as minister of the presidency, giving her a central role in Chaves’ administration.
Crime dominated the campaign in Costa Rica amid sharp increases in homicides by cartels.
According to , the murder rate has risen by 50% over the past six years.
Fernández pledged a hard-line security strategy, including expanded cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and stricter measures against organized crime.
She has also floated controversial proposals inspired by El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele.
This included constructing a special prison for gang leaders, the Associated Press reported.
“My hand won’t shake when it comes to making the decisions needed to restore peace in Costa Rican homes,” Fernández said during the campaign.
U.S. Secretary of State congratulated Fernández in a statement on Monday.
“Under her leadership, we are confident Costa Rica will continue to advance shared priorities including combating narco-trafficking, ending illegal immigration to the United States, promoting cybersecurity and secure telecommunications, and strengthening economic ties,” Rubio said.
“I hope we can immediately lower the flags of any political party and start working only in favor of the Costa Rican flag,” Fernández said after the result.
“I believe the Costa Rican people expect nothing less of us,” she added.