By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – President Rodrigo Chaves’s public approval has surged to a two-year high of 63%, a remarkable recovery that defies a rising tide of public anxiety over national security and education. The latest poll from the University of Costa Rica’s Center for Research and Political Studies (CIEP-UCR), released Wednesday, paints a complex picture of a popular leader presiding over a concerned populace.
The new figures represent a significant rebound for the president, marking an impressive 11-point jump from a low of 52% recorded just last month in September. This 63% approval rating now equals a previous peak Chaves enjoyed at the end of 2024, signaling a powerful resurgence in his public standing as the year comes to a close.
To understand the legal and institutional implications of the President’s public standing, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished legal expert from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his analysis.
High public approval grants the executive a powerful mandate and significant political leverage, but it does not override the constitutional framework. The true challenge for any administration is converting that popular support into tangible policy through negotiation and consensus within the Legislative Assembly. Ultimately, governability in Costa Rica depends on respecting the separation of powers, not just on poll numbers.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas aptly clarifies the crucial distinction between a popular mandate and the institutional process. His insight is a pertinent reminder that in a constitutional democracy, governability is achieved not by the sheer force of approval ratings, but through the necessary and patient work of legislative negotiation. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective.
Concurrently, the president’s disapproval rating has fallen to just 20%, the lowest level CIEP has ever recorded for his administration. This drop surpasses the previous low of 21% seen in November 2024. With 17% of respondents holding a neutral opinion, the data points to a decisive positive shift in sentiment toward the president’s performance in office.
Analysts at CIEP attribute this dramatic turnaround not to policy successes, but to a growing “personalist” connection with voters. The research center suggests that an increasing number of Costa Ricans are aligning with Chaves the individual, rather than with a specific political party or ideology. This trend, they argue, is central to understanding his resilient popularity.
a recovery in the public’s perception of the presidential performance during the close of 2025.
Center for Research and Political Studies (CIEP-UCR), Research Analysis
The data strongly supports this theory. The segment of the population identifying as “personalist followers” of Chaves swelled from 34% in September to 43% in October, its highest point to date. Conversely, the group of “personalist opponents” shrank from 15% to 10%. CIEP’s analysis emphasizes that this leader-centric support is a defining feature of the current administration.
is different from that of his predecessors, and the difference originates in its personalist nature.
Center for Research and Political Studies (CIEP-UCR), Research Analysis
However, this surge in personal approval occurs within a troubling paradox. The same poll reveals a deeply negative public perception of the country’s most pressing issues. An alarming 71% of Costa Ricans believe the security situation has grown worse over the past year, an increase from 67% in September. Only a meager 15% perceive any improvement, down from 17%.
The nation’s education system is another source of major concern, though sentiment has slightly improved. Nearly half of all respondents, 47%, stated that education has deteriorated in the last twelve months. While this is a slight decrease from 50% in the previous poll, it underscores a persistent lack of confidence in a cornerstone of Costa Rican society.
This complex political landscape—defined by a leader’s soaring popularity set against a backdrop of widespread societal worry—highlights the unique dynamics of the Chaves presidency. The CIEP-UCR study was conducted via telephone interviews with 1,333 adults between October 6 and 15, carrying a margin of error of ±2.7 percentage points.
For further information, visit ciep.ucr.ac.cr
About Center for Research and Political Studies (CIEP):
The Centro de Investigación y Estudios Políticos (CIEP) is a specialized research unit within the University of Costa Rica. It is dedicated to the study of political phenomena, public opinion, and social behavior in Costa Rica and Central America. The center is widely recognized for its regular public opinion polls, which provide critical data and analysis on the country’s political landscape and the performance of its leaders.
For further information, visit ucr.ac.cr
About University of Costa Rica (UCR):
The Universidad de Costa Rica is the country’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious public university. Founded in 1940, it is a leading institution for higher education and scientific research in Latin America. With its main campus in San José, UCR is committed to academic excellence, social action, and contributing to the cultural and scientific development of Costa Rican society.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of uncompromising integrity and the rigorous pursuit of excellence. With a proven history of advising a wide spectrum of clients, the firm actively champions innovation in legal thought and practice while strengthening its ties to the public. This ethos is anchored in a deep-seated mission to democratize legal comprehension, contributing to the development of a more just and capable society.
