Published on Saturday, May 9, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

President Laura Fernández-Delgado officially began her 2026-2030 administration Friday by signing three presidential decrees focused on prison sentencing, legislative procedures and the appointment of her cabinet, signaling what she described as a tougher approach to crime and government reform.

Fernández was sworn in as Costa Rica’s 50th president during an inauguration ceremony held at the National Stadium in San José. The event drew world leaders, senior U.S. officials and international delegations in what the government described as one of the country’s most important political ceremonies.

Among the most prominent attendees were King Felipe VI of Spain, Christopher Landau, deputy secretary of state for the U.S. Department of State; Kristi Noem, special envoy to the Shield of the Americas for the U.S. Department of State; Isaac Herzog, president of Israel and Ray Edward Harry Collins, Baron Collins of Highbury, deputy leader of the U.K. House of Lords.

Her first decree established that 360 days would officially be considered one prison year. According to Fernández, Costa Rica’s current prison laws leave room for judicial interpretation that has allowed some inmates to receive sentencing benefits in which eight months, rather than 12, are counted as one year served.

The decree implements new regulations governing the calculation of prison sentences and inmate benefits. Under the new rules, judges must calculate sentences using a penitentiary year equal to 360 days. The measure closes what Fernández called a legal loophole that allowed prison terms shorter than 360 days per year of sentencing.

The remaining five days needed to complete a 365-day calendar year will continue to count as prison benefits for inmates.

“No more favors for convicts claiming that a prison year is only eight months,” Fernández said during her first official address as president. “With these new regulations, judges will no longer have room to shorten the sentencing year for those criminals who steal our peace and security.”

Fernández said the decree is part of her broader “tough-on-crime” strategy aimed at confronting rising criminal activity and drug trafficking in the country.

In one of the strongest moments of her speech, Fernández delivered a direct warning to organized crime groups.

“I want to send a clear, direct and unequivocal message to organized crime and drug trafficking: I’m coming for you,” she said. “We don’t want you in Costa Rica. We will not allow you to continue causing pain to our people.”

Her second decree regulates the congressional work schedule by requiring lawmakers to participate in additional legislative sessions beyond the normal parliamentary calendar to prioritize debate on three bills the administration considers vital to the country’s development.

The proposals include the construction of a marina in Limón province, the development of a Government City in San José to centralize government offices, and new regulations governing mining activity in the Crucitas area of Alajuela province.

“All the bills that were blocked over the last four years because of political selfishness are, as of today, being formally submitted to Congress,” Fernández said, referring to the Congress actions during the administration of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves-Robles.

Her final decree officially appointed her cabinet, including former President Chaves as minister of the presidency and finance minister.

Fernández also said a major focus of her administration will be restructuring the government into what she calls a “Third Republic,” a modern political model centered on institutional reform and anti-corruption policies.

“We are on the threshold of building a Third Republic that is not afraid of change, that modernizes its institutions without destroying what already works, making democracy more agile and effective, recognizing what is right and having the courage to correct what is wrong,” she said.

Fernández was elected in February with 48% of the vote, avoiding a runoff election. Her Sovereign People’s Party, known by its Spanish acronym PPSO, is a center-right political movement founded in 2025 that supports continuing many of the policies of the Chaves administration.

At 36, Fernández is one of the youngest presidents in Costa Rican history and the second woman elected to the presidency after Laura Chinchilla-Miranda, who served from 2010 to 2014.

Before assuming the presidency, Fernández served in the Chaves administration as minister of the presidency and minister of national planning.

A native of Puntarenas, Fernández is married to Jeffrey Umaña-Avendaño. The couple has a 3-year-old daughter, Fernanda.

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What will be the biggest challenge facing President Laura Fernández during her administration? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com