Costa Rica holds a major presidential transition as Laura Fernández begins her four-year term after being sworn in on Friday, May 8, 2026. The inauguration takes place at 11:00 local time at the Estadio Nacional and marks Fernández’s assumption of office as the country’s 50th president. Multiple outlets report that the event draws broad international participation, with delegations from 71 countries confirmed and attendance also expected from 18 international organizations. Among the reported attendees are King Felipe VI of Spain and Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino, as well as Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa. Sources also mention that other foreign leaders may attend, including Argentina’s Javier Milei, El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, though some of these are described as possible appearances. Overall, coverage describes the transition as one of the largest diplomatic gatherings Costa Rica has hosted in recent years, focused on the transfer of power and formal representation by governments and international bodies.