News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. April 6, 2018: Costa Rica Has Elected the First Black Woman Vice President in All of Latin America
Epsy Campbell Barr—a left-leaning feminist economist, and cofounder of Costa Rica’s Citizen’s Action Party—has also become Costa Rica’s first Afro-Latina VP.
She was chosen in a landslide along with President-elect Carlos Alvarado Quesada, a 38-year-old fellow member of the Citizen’s Action Party.
The Citizens Action Party won Costa Rica’s presidential run-off with 60.74 percent of the vote, according to the latest results released by the country’s electoral tribunal on Sunday evening.
With 95.58 percent ballots counted, Alvarado gained 60.74 percent of the vote, and his rival, Fabricio Alvarado, an evangelical candidate from the National Restoration Party (PRN), obtained 39.26 percent of the vote, according to the results. The two Alvaradoes are not related.
Carlos Alvarado spoke of his mission in the capital city San Jose after his victory.
“My responsibility is to unite all the people in our country, move the country forward and enable it to become a leading nation in the 21st century,” said the newly-elected president.
Thousands of supporters gathered at a square, waved PAC flags and cheered for the victory. Some vehicles whistled for celebration.
“I believe the president is very capable, and he is fully braced for the new role. He can build a nation we need. I hope people can regain faith in politics, and hope they can believe in Costa Rica. We are faced with grave challenges in the future, but the president is capable of meeting these challenges,” said a supporter named Fernando.
Carlos Alvarado, 38, a former minister, comes out in favor of gay marriage. He has slammed Fabricio Alvarado for campaigning on a single issue and having no plan for government.
