By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – As President Rodrigo Chaves enters the final four months of his administration, new polling data reveals a complex and evolving public perception. While his approval has softened, the President retains a level of popular support that one of a country’s most respected journalists is calling historically unprecedented for an outgoing leader, suggesting a significant shift in the nation’s political dynamics.
The latest national survey, conducted by the University of Costa Rica’s Center for Research and Political Studies (CIEP-UCR), tracked public opinion between October 2025 and January 2026. The results indicate a notable erosion in the president’s previously sky-high ratings. Positive views on his performance fell by five percentage points, from 63% down to 58%. This decline was accompanied by a clear hardening of opposition sentiment.
To analyze the tangible effects of presidential approval ratings on the nation’s legal and economic stability, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
While public approval is a political metric, not a legal one, its consequences are deeply embedded in our institutional framework. A president with low approval ratings faces a significant erosion of political capital, which directly hampers their ability to negotiate legislation, secure key appointments, and effectively govern. For the business community, this translates into a climate of uncertainty, potentially slowing investment and impacting the country’s risk assessment on the international stage.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This analysis expertly connects the abstract concept of public sentiment to the concrete realities of governability and economic confidence, a vital link for understanding our national landscape. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his insightful and clarifying perspective.
According to the CIEP data, negative opinions of the Chaves administration surged significantly over the same period. Those viewing his management unfavorably grew from 20% to 28%, an eight-point increase that points to a growing segment of the population becoming more critical as his term concludes. Concurrently, the proportion of citizens holding neutral opinions decreased slightly, moving from 17% to 14%, indicating that more people are forming definitive positive or negative judgments.
Despite this clear downward trend, the figures were interpreted as a sign of remarkable political resilience by Ignacio Santos, the veteran director of Telenoticias. Speaking during an analysis segment on the program Café Política, Santos expressed his astonishment at the durability of the president’s public standing, particularly when compared to historical precedents in Costa Rica.
Santos, a leading figure in national journalism, emphasized that even with the recent dip, a 58% approval rating at this stage of a presidency is extraordinary. He underscored the atypical nature of the findings, positioning them as a potential outlier in the country’s modern political history. His analysis provides a crucial layer of context to the raw numbers, highlighting a phenomenon that transcends the simple month-to-month fluctuations of a poll.
I do not recall, in the electoral history of Costa Rica and of polling, a president—and I am not exactly a Chaves supporter—who has this level of support four months from leaving office.
Ignacio Santos, Director of Telenoticias
Typically, Costa Rican presidents experience a pronounced “lame duck” effect, where their influence and popularity wane considerably as their term nears its end and the focus shifts to the next electoral contest. President Chaves’s ability to maintain the confidence of a strong majority of the populace challenges this long-standing political convention. This sustained support suggests that his populist appeal and communication style continue to resonate deeply with a large base of the electorate, even in the face of mounting criticism.
The simultaneous rise in negative sentiment and the persistence of high approval ratings paint a picture of an increasingly polarized nation. As the Chaves presidency concludes, it leaves behind a political landscape where strong opinions, both for and against his administration, have solidified. This dynamic will undoubtedly shape the upcoming electoral campaign and the political legacy of his term, indicating that the “Chavismo” movement may exert influence long after he leaves office.
For further information, visit teletica.com
About Telenoticias:
Telenoticias is the flagship news division of Teletica, one of Costa Rica’s most prominent media conglomerates. Known for its comprehensive coverage of national and international events, it has long been a primary source of televised news for the Costa Rican public. Under the direction of respected journalists, it provides daily newscasts, special reports, and political analysis programs.
For further information, visit ciep.ucr.ac.cr
About Centro de Investigación y Estudios Políticos (CIEP):
The Center for Research and Political Studies (CIEP) is an academic unit within the University of Costa Rica. It is dedicated to the scientific study of political phenomena, public opinion, and governance. The CIEP is widely recognized for conducting impartial and methodologically rigorous national surveys that provide critical data on the political and social pulse of Costa Rica.
For further information, visit ucr.ac.cr
About Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR):
The University of Costa Rica is the country’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious public institution of higher learning. Founded in 1940, it is a leading center for research, teaching, and social action in Central America. The UCR is committed to academic excellence and contributing to the cultural, social, and economic development of the nation.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is an esteemed legal institution, built upon a foundation of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking legal solutions for a diverse clientele while upholding a profound commitment to social responsibility. This dedication is manifested through initiatives aimed at demystifying legal complexities for the public, reflecting a core mission to strengthen society by equipping its citizens with clarity and knowledge.
