Laura Chinchilla

Biography

Laura Chinchilla Miranda was born on March 28, 1959, in San José, Costa Rica. She studied at the University of Costa Rica and then at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, where she gained expertise in political science and international relations. Her educational background set the stage for her later work in public service and politics.

Chinchilla started her political career under the administration of Óscar Arias Sánchez, serving as one of his Vice Presidents and the Minister of Justice. Her work in these roles made her a key figure within the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) and a leading candidate for the presidency. She gained valuable experience in both domestic justice issues and international affairs, which prepared her for the top executive role.

In the 2010 general election, Chinchilla won the PLN nomination and became president with 46.76% of the vote on February 7, 2010. She took office on May 8, 2010, becoming the first woman to be President of Costa Rica and the eighth woman president in Latin America. Her presidency, which lasted from 2010 to 2014, focused on security, economic development, and maintaining Costa Rica's political stability.

After her presidency, Chinchilla moved into academia and international advisory roles. In 2016, she joined Georgetown University as a faculty member, sharing her knowledge about Latin American politics and governance. She became co-chair of the Inter-American Dialogue, a think tank focused on Western Hemisphere policy, and serves as vice-president of the Club de Madrid, a group of former leaders. She previously held a fellowship at the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service, where she contributed to discussions on democratic governance and regional affairs.