The electoral contest in the neighboring country of Costa Rica is in its final stretch, and the incumbent Laura Fernández, from Pueblo Soberano, is emerging as the top favorite. According to the latest CID Gallup poll, published by the newspaper La República, Fernández has a high level of public perception, surpassed only by President Rodrigo Chaves. Support for Fernández has surged between January 2025 and January 2026, rising from 16% to 57%. According to the pollster, these figures could provide an approximation ahead of the elections scheduled for next February 1st. Carlos Denton, president of CID Gallup, highlighted that "no president of Costa Rica has been elected without having at least a 50% favorable opinion on the day of the election." Regarding voting intention, in the latest CID Gallup measurement, Fernández has surpassed the 40% barrier for the first time, which would allow her to avoid a runoff. The Gallup poll gives the candidate 41% support, while her rivals are far behind. In this sense, Álvaro Ramos, from the National Liberation Party, marks a 9% voting intention, and Fabricio Alvarado, a presidential candidate for Nueva República, would receive the support of 6% of voters. Additionally, when respondents are asked if it is "very likely that they will vote" for Fernández, the candidate would reach 51% support. It is worth noting that in Costa Rica, to avoid a runoff two months after the elections, at least one candidate must obtain more than 40% of the valid votes. On the other hand, according to the OPol Consultors poll, published by UHN Plus, Fernández has a voting intention of 42.5% and up to 62% among decided voters. Likewise, the presidential candidate is consolidating as the best-viewed option from Washington for the Ticos.
