Fernández Wins Costa Rican Presidency Amidst International Tensions
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Conservative populist Laura Fernández secured Costa Rica's presidency on Sunday, promising to continue the political reorientation initiated by outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, according to preliminary results reported on February 2, 2026. Fernández, Chaves' handpicked successor, won a resounding first-round victory, eliminating the need for a runoff in a crowded field, according to the Associated Press.
The election occurred as international tensions escalated, with Iran's Supreme Leader issuing a warning that any attack by the U.S. would spark a regional war. This warning followed a military buildup in the Middle East by the U.S., with President Trump hinting at a possible attack, according to NPR reports on February 2, 2026.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the Trump administration faced legal challenges over a new visa policy. A group of civil rights organizations and U.S. citizens filed a lawsuit against the State Department regarding the suspension of immigrant visa processing for individuals from 75 countries, according to NPR on February 2, 2026. The lawsuit argues that the policy, which went into effect on January 21, "eviscerate decades of settled immigration law." The visa ban affects countries including Afghanistan, Somalia, Brazil, Colombia, Thailand, Russia and Canada.
Ali Vaez, the Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, discussed the potential future of Iran in light of the rising tensions with the U.S.
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