No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveRodrigo Arias quits Costa Rica’s presidential race

Rodrigo Arias quits Costa Rica’s presidential race

National Liberation Party (PLN) candidate Rodrigo Arias – a former minister in the administration of his brother, ex-President Oscar Arias–  on Friday withdrew his bid for the presidency primaries for the upcoming 2014 elections.

In a press conference at 7 p.m., Arias, 66, said that the main reason for his decision is that “polls in the last three months did not show any positive results for my intentions.” 

The results of different surveys always placed San José Mayor Johnny Araya with a considerable advantage over Arias and the other PLN candidates.

Arias’s departure leaves Araya and former Minister Fernando Berrocal alone in the race for the nomination for the ruling National Liberation Party scheduled for April 21.

During the press conference Arias refused to answer a question on whether he would support Araya’s campaign, stating repeatedly that he “will not take part in the nomination process.”

Mayor Araya told local Telenoticias that Arias’ decision “was unexpected, but an objective, realistic and humble decision.”

Last September Antonio Álvarez Desanti quit the race and joined Araya’s campaign. In November, ex-president José María Figueres Olsen (1994-1998) also announced his withdrawal from the nomination process.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s President Stirs Debate with Oil Exploration Stance

President Rodrigo Chaves has sparked controversy with his recent comments on oil exploration and the Escazú Agreement, defending his positions in an interview with...

Costa Rica’s Tourism Minister Dismisses Crime and Currency Concerns

Tourism Minister William Rodríguez López addressed growing concerns about crime and the strengthening colón’s impact on Costa Rica’s tourism industry, asserting that these issues...

Gold Cup 2025: Costa Rica, Mexico and Canada Aim for Glory

While other CONCACAF teams have their sights set on the 2026 World Cup, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Canada are raising the stakes by targeting...

Panama Arrests Banana Union Leader After Chiquita Strike Ends

Panamanian authorities arrested Francisco Smith, leader of the banana workers’ union SITRAIBANA, accusing him of orchestrating road blockades during a six-week strike against Chiquita...

Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Welcomes First Starbucks in Liberia

Starbucks has opened its first store in Guanacaste at Solarium Business Park in Liberia, marking a significant step in its expansion across Costa Rica....

Nicaragua Pulls Out of UN Refugee Agency, Citing Bias

Nicaragua announced that it is withdrawing from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), accusing the agency of making “biased” statements about Nicaraguans...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica