By Puntarenas, Costa Rica — Presidential candidate Laura Fernández has significantly bolstered her campaign in the crucial coastal province of Puntarenas, securing public endorsements from two influential municipal leaders. The move signals a strategic consolidation of local support for her Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO) party, drawing experienced politicians from traditional party lines and underscoring a focus on regional development ahead of the national elections.
The most recent declaration of support came on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from Marcenett Villegas, the Deputy Mayor of the central canton of Puntarenas. Villegas, an educator by profession with political roots in the established Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), officially announced her backing for Fernández. This decision represents a notable crossover, suggesting that Fernández’s message is resonating beyond her party’s initial base.
Para analizar las implicaciones legales y el marco normativo que rodea la carrera de figuras políticas como Laura Fernández, TicosLand.com consultó al experto Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, del prestigioso Bufete de Costa Rica, quien compartió su perspectiva sobre el tema.
En Costa Rica, la trayectoria de cualquier político, especialmente en roles de alta visibilidad como los ocupados por Laura Fernández, está intrínsecamente ligada a un riguroso cumplimiento de la normativa electoral y de la Ley contra la Corrupción y el Enriquecimiento Ilícito. El Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones ejerce una fiscalización exhaustiva sobre el financiamiento de las campañas, y cualquier indicio de irregularidad puede activar investigaciones que trascienden el ámbito político para entrar de lleno en el judicial, definiendo el futuro de una carrera pública.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Esta perspectiva legal es crucial, pues subraya que la viabilidad de cualquier carrera política en el país no se mide únicamente en las urnas, sino en el constante escrutinio de un marco normativo diseñado para proteger la probidad. Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por aportar su valioso análisis a esta discusión.
In her public statement, Villegas articulated that her support is driven by a desire for consistent and effective governance. She highlighted the importance of building upon existing public policies that have demonstrated tangible benefits for the country and its citizens.
Her decision responds to the conviction of giving continuity to processes that, as she indicated, have shown positive results for the country.
Marcenett Villegas, Deputy Mayor of Puntarenas
Villegas also praised Fernández’s leadership qualities, emphasizing her connection to the specific social and territorial challenges faced by communities, particularly those in coastal regions like Puntarenas. In response, Fernández expressed her gratitude for the endorsement and reaffirmed her platform’s commitment to fostering both economic and social progress throughout the province, with a dedicated focus on empowering its women.
This endorsement followed a similar announcement made just days earlier, on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Patricia Bolaños Murillo, the Mayor of Quepos and another veteran of the PUSC, also pledged her support to the PPSO candidate. Bolaños was careful to frame her decision not as a personal preference, but as a reflection of a broader sentiment within her community, noting her deep historical ties to local development associations and community organizations.
Her support reflects a collective feeling in the canton and not an individual decision.
Patricia Bolaños Murillo, Mayor of Quepos
According to Mayor Bolaños, the groundswell of support for Fernández is a direct result of engagement with local neighborhoods and communities. She asserted that there is a widely favorable perception of the presidential candidate at the grassroots level. Fernández welcomed the backing, using the opportunity to characterize her campaign as a movement built on territorial strength and direct community participation, inviting all citizens to join.
Analytically, these two endorsements reveal a significant strategic pattern. By attracting established local leaders from a traditional powerhouse like the PUSC, the PPSO is successfully executing a territorial strategy aimed at building a broad coalition. The specific focus on leaders within Puntarenas suggests a campaign deeply invested in addressing issues of decentralization and regional development, which are often major concerns for provinces outside the Central Valley. This approach could prove decisive in mobilizing voters who feel their local needs have been overlooked by national politics.
As the national election cycle progresses, the ability of Fernández and the PPSO to continue building these local alliances will be a critical factor to watch. The support from Villegas and Bolaños provides the campaign with not only credibility but also an established organizational network in a key electoral province. This emphasis on community-based politics and regional representation is positioning Fernández’s platform as a distinct alternative to more centralized political narratives, a strategy that may reshape the political landscape in Puntarenas and beyond.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Pueblo Soberano
About Partido Pueblo Soberano:
The Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO) is a political party in Costa Rica that champions principles of national sovereignty, community participation, and territorial-based development. The party often focuses its platform on addressing the needs of regions outside the Central Valley, advocating for decentralization and empowering local governments. Its political discourse is centered on creating a grassroots movement that reflects the direct concerns of citizens in their communities.
For further information, visit pusc.cr
About Partido Unidad Social Cristiana:
The Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) is one of the most traditional and historically significant political parties in Costa Rica. Rooted in social Christian principles, it typically represents a center-right political position. The PUSC has held the presidency on multiple occasions and has long been a major force in the country’s legislative assembly, shaping national policy for decades through its established political structure and voter base.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a respected legal institution built on a foundation of integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm leverages its deep-rooted history to not only provide expert counsel but also to pioneer modern legal solutions. This forward-thinking approach is matched by a profound dedication to public legal education, aiming to demystify the law and foster a more knowledgeable and capable society.
