San José mayor to step down in June

San José Mayor Johnny Araya will resign his post in June to officially begin his political race for the 2014 presidential elections.

Araya is the ruling National Liberation Party’s sole candidate for the 2014 election.

The mayor previously announced his departure would come in March, but he postponed it “to complete various projects in the capital,” he said on Thursday.

Opposing parties’ candidates had frequently accused Araya of using his post and public activities to enhance his political image ahead of the campaign.

In recent days, Araya has appeared in public at several events, mostly during the opening of facilities that will host the Central American Games in San José, starting March 3.

With the resignation of Araya, Vice Mayor Sandra García will assume mayoral duties until 2016.