No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaFirst Lady Claudia Dobles named as one of world's greatest leaders

First Lady Claudia Dobles named as one of world’s greatest leaders

Costa Rica has one of the world’s greatest leaders in its midst.

First Lady Claudia Dobles is ranked No. 15 on Fortune’s list of “World’s Greatest Leaders,” which comprises “men and women [who] are transforming the world and inspiring others to do the same.”

Dobles’ profile describes how she helped Carlos Alvarado, her husband, win the presidency in 2018 and has spearheaded efforts to decarbonize Costa Rica by 2050.

“An architect and urban planner, she’s now in charge of turning that promise into reality —setting deadlines, brokering alliances, and raising money,” Fortune writes. “Job one: replacing the antiquated buses and trains that anchor the nation’s transit system with clean electric models.”

Atop the Fortune list are Bill and Melinda Gates, cofounders of the Gates Foundation.

In February, Dobles presented a new transportation system for Costa Rica, focused on walking, biking and an electric train. The train will serve as the spinal cord of San José, and by 2050, she wants it to run solely on electricity.

In early April, Dobles inaugurated the country’s network of charging stations for electric vehicles.

President Alvarado shared the Fortune article on Twitter and wrote he “is very proud and honored to have shared this journey with you.”

 

Trending Now

Guatemala Denies U.S. Military Strike Deal After Cartel Report

Guatemala’s government spent Thursday pushing back against reports that it had agreed to allow U.S. forces to carry out joint military strikes against drug-trafficking...

Costa Rica President Labels Opponents Communists as Government Pulls Energy Bill

President Laura Fernández lashed out at lawmakers opposing the National Electricity System Harmonization Bill, calling them a "bunch of communists" and accusing them of...

Costa Rica Exchange Rate Still Has Not Reflected Oil Shock, Central Bank Says

The U.S. dollar remains under ¢455 in Costa Rica’s wholesale currency market, even as higher international oil prices threaten to increase the country’s demand...

Brazil’s Fonseca Stuns Ruud to Reach First French Open Quarterfinal

Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal on Sunday, beating two-time French Open finalist Casper Ruud 7-5, 7-6(8), 5-7, 6-2 in...

El Salvador’s Surf Coast Is Making a Strong Case to Costa Rica Travelers

For many longtime Central America travelers, El Salvador once sat far down the list of places to visit for pleasure. In the early 1990s,...

Panama Joins 10 Worst Countries for Workers Rights in ITUC Report

The International Trade Union Confederation placed the three Latin American nations in that group in its Global Rights Index released Monday. The list also...

Costa Rica Lands the Cover of National Geographic Traveller’s UK Edition

Costa Rica is the cover star and lead feature of the June 2026 edition of National Geographic Traveller (UK), one of the world's most...

Costa Rica Tourism Brand Cancels Uber Alliance After Backlash

Costa Rica’s nation brand, esencial Costa Rica, and export promoter Procomer reversed a tourism marketing alliance with Uber just one day after announcing it,...

Costa Rica Route 27 Sinkhole Forces Major Traffic Detours

Traffic on Costa Rica’s Route 27 remains heavily disrupted after a large sinkhole opened near Coyolar in Orotina, forcing the full closure of the...
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador

Live prediction market odds via Kalshi. Updates every 60 seconds.
Kalshi is available to US residents 18+. The Tico Times may earn a commission from new signups.

Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel