Costa Rica's president-elect Laura Fernández promises 'profound and irreversible' change

Right-wing political scientist Laura Fernandez won Costa Rica's presidential election on Sunday by a landslide, after promising to crack down on rising violence linked to the cocaine trade.

Fernandez's nearest rival, center-right economist Alvaro Ramos, conceded defeat as results showed the ruling party far exceeding the threshold of 40 percent needed to avoid a run-off. With 94 percent of polling stations counted, the political heir of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves had captured 48.3 percent of the vote compared to Ramos's 33.4 percent, according to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).

As soon as the first results were announced, members of Fernandez's Sovereign People's party erupted in celebrations around the country, waving blue, red and white-striped Costa Rican flags.