Costa Rica: Carlos Alvarado wins April 1 election /update 4

Event

Preliminary results released on Monday, April 2, showed Carlos Alvarado Quesada of the ruling Citizen Action Party winning over 60 percent of votes. According to local sources, at least 95 percent of votes have been counted.

Political rallies and protests, as well as associated traffic disruptions, are possible in the coming days. Political violence is unlikely.

Context

Carlos Alvarado Quesada of the ruling Citizen Action Party faced Fabricio Alvarado Muñoz of the conservative National Restoration Party. Alvarado Muñoz is an evangelic Christian and one of his main campaign platforms was to bar gay marriage in the country and other progressive policies introduced by the center-left government.

Advice

Individuals in Costa Rica are advised to monitor developments to the situation and avoid all demonstrations as a precaution.