Overview
- Fernández, sworn in Friday at San José’s National Stadium, became the country’s 50th leader and only the second woman to hold the office.
- In her inaugural address she promised a tough response to narcotrafficking, including a prison modeled on El Salvador’s megaprisión, and she criticized judges for releasing dangerous offenders.
- She named outgoing president Rodrigo Chaves as a powerful “super minister,” signaling concentrated executive control under her administration.
- First vice president Francisco Gamboa and second vice president Douglas Soto also took office, and Fernández said Soto will serve as ambassador to the United States.
- Delegations from 71 countries and 18 international bodies attended, with high‑level guests such as Spain’s King Felipe VI and the presidents of Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Israel, Chile, and the Dominican Republic.