King Felipe VI attends the inauguration of Costa Rica’s new president, Laura Fernández Delgado

Eduardo González King Felipe VI attended the inauguration of the new president of the Republic of Costa Rica, Laura Fernández Delgado, this Friday. This marks the 22nd time the monarch has attended the inauguration of a Latin American leader since ascending the throne in June 2014. The monarch arrived in Costa Rica accompanied by the Secretary of State for Ibero-America and the Caribbean and Spanish in the World. Upon his arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport, he was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of the Republic of Costa Rica, Arnoldo André, and the Spanish Ambassador to San José, Juan Ignacio Morro, among other officials. Following the reception, the King met at the Spanish Embassy residence with representatives of the Spanish community residing in Costa Rica. King Felipe VI then traveled to the La Sabana Metropolitan Park Art Museum, where he met with Laura Fernández Delgado. They discussed bilateral relations between Spain and Costa Rica and the historical, economic, and cultural ties that bind the two countries, according to the Royal Household. Following this, King Felipe visited the Presidential Palace of Costa Rica to meet with outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, with whom he discussed matters of common interest in the Ibero-American sphere. During the day, the King also met with the President of the Republic of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo. The day concluded at the National Theater of Costa Rica with a dinner hosted by the President and First Lady in honor of the heads of state and government attending the presidential inauguration. The Transfer of Power ceremony will take place this Friday, May 8, at the National Stadium. Separately, the King met with the president of the Republic of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, on Friday. Finally, the King attended the Presidential Transfer of Power ceremony for Laura Fernández Delgado, held at the National Stadium of Costa Rica. "Yes, I swear!" Fernández proclaimed, placing her hand on the Constitution and a Bible, after which the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Yara Jiménez, placed the presidential sash on her in an inauguration that marked the first time two women have presided over the presidency. Laura Fernández succeeds Rodrigo Chaves, who will assume the ministries of Finance and the Presidency, allowing him to control the political and economic agenda of the so-called "government of continuity". To date, King Felipe VI has participated in six presidential inaugurations in Costa Rica: five as Prince of Asturias (in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014, in this last case just over a month before ascending the throne), and one in 2022 as King. The Monarch usually represents Spain at the inaugurations of Latin American presidents, a task he has undertaken since 1996 when he was still Prince of Asturias. With the investiture of Fernández Delgado, Felipe VI will have attended the inauguration of a Latin American leader 22 times since his accession to the throne. Specifically, the Monarch was present in 2016 at the inauguration of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal; in 2018 at the inauguration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador as President of Mexico; and in 2019 at the inauguration of Laurentino Cortizo of Panama. in 2020, in those of Uruguayan Luis Lacalle Pou and Bolivian Luis Arce; in 2021, in those of Ecuadorian Guillermo Lasso Mendoza and Peruvian Pedro Castillo; in 2022, in those of Honduran Xiomara Castro, Chilean Gabriel Boric, Costa Rican Rodrigo Chaves and Colombian Gustavo Petro; in 2023, in those of Brazilian Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Paraguayan Santiago Peña Palacios and Argentine Javier Milei; in 2024, in those of the president of Guatemala, César Bernardo Arévalo de León; the president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino Quintero; and the re-elected Nayib Bukele, of El Salvador, and Luis Abinader, of the Dominican Republic; in 2025, in that of the president of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi; And in 2026, those of the President of Portugal, António José Seguro, and the President of Chile, José Antonio Kast. Laura Fernández Delgado, a 39-year-old political scientist and candidate for the Sovereign People's Party, won the first round of the presidential elections on February 1st. The Sovereign People's Party also won the legislative elections, securing 30 of the 57 seats in the Legislative Assembly. Laura Fernández thus becomes the second woman to be elected President of Costa Rica, after Laura Chinchilla (2010-2014). Her presidency allows for the continuation of the right-wing policies of her predecessor, Rodrigo Chaves. During her campaign, Laura Fernández, who has declared herself a supporter of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, promised a hardline approach against drug trafficking and insecurity. Following her victory, Fernández Delgado was congratulated by the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, who stated on social media that “Spain will continue working to maintain a close and solid relationship between our countries,” and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which affirmed that “Spain will continue to promote the excellent relationship with Costa Rica, based on our deep shared values and in favor of the well-being and prosperity of our peoples, both bilaterally and within the Ibero-American community.”

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