Costa Rica’s Election: A Warning Sign for American Allies on the Rise of Authoritarianism

This Sunday, nearly four million Costa Ricans head to the polls in a critical election that sharply divides the nation and offers a stark lesson for America and its allies. The front-runner, Laura Fernández, stands as the proclaimed heir to President Rodrigo Chaves’ controversial right-wing agenda—an agenda marked by aggressive promises of cracking down on crime but clouded by accusations of authoritarian tactics. Is Costa Rica on the Brink of Losing Its Democratic Way? Fernández’s campaign calls for sweeping reforms to strengthen state power and impose a harder line against criminal activity. While tough policies on crime resonate with many...