QCOSTARICA — Alvaro Ramos is the face of the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) for the 2026 presidential elections on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
Ramos emerged on Sunday as the PLN presidential candidate with an overwhelming majority of 81.42% of the vote.
Ramos, 41, an economist and former president of the CCSS (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social), said in his victory speech that this his election represents the first step toward overcoming the toxic leadership of President Rodrigo Chaves and “Chavismo”.
– Advertisement –
However, the truth is that yesterday’s internal party election fell far short of widespread enthusiasm, with just 142,000 voters, or 3% of the total, the lowest voter turnout of the 21st century and far below the more than 400,000 voters in the last two internal elections.
Despite this lackluster context, Ramos assumed his new role with a conciliatory but forceful speech.
“This is the first step toward freeing Costa Rica from toxic leadership, hate speech, and divisiveness, and thus building a Costa Rica that seeks common ground,” stated Ramos, who made a clear call for unity both within and outside his party.
“We want to invite our competitors. This party must be united. It will be the basis for winning at the polls next year,” said Ramos, referring to his internal contenders, including legislator Gilberth Jiménez, who obtained just 9.63% of the vote, Carolina Delgado (4.69%), and Marvin Taylor (4.26%).
Aware of the weakening of the PLN and the lack of public trust, Ramos also addressed the Costa Rican population: “We invite all Costa Ricans, we are calling you, we need you all. We have to seek a common agenda and thus build something together to solve something together. Bridges are open, even for those who are distrustful.”
The candidate recounted how his tour of the country in recent months allowed him to take the pulse of national sentiment.
– Advertisement –
“People are angry about unfulfilled promises, because the problems aren’t being resolved.”
Among his main government plans are a review of the fiscal rule to boost social spending, a rescue of the CCSS, and a fairer exchange rate that would benefit sectors such as tourism and exports.
In statements before the convention, Ramos warned about the mismanagement of the economy under the current administration: “I was in the Ministry of Finance for three years and I have never seen a collapse in tax revenues like the one that occurred from 2022 to 2023.”
In his victory message, Ramos also appealed to the PLN’s historical values and civic responsibility.
– Advertisement –
“The PLN was born to defend democracy. The first thing it did was guarantee the existence of branches of government. Each of you has the power to vote, and that is the power I ask you to use for a better Costa Rica.”
Álvaro Ramos’s challenges ahead of the presidential campaign included consolidating a fractured PLN, reconnecting with his base, and convincing an increasingly skeptical electorate.
– Advertisement –
Source link
Rico
