Following the announcement by presidential candidate and former Mayor of San Jose Johnny Araya’s decision to abandon his pre-runoff election political campaign in Costa Rica, his opponent offered a polite and commiserate statement equivalent to accepting a concession speech. It did not take long, however, for presidential candidate Luis Guillermo Solis to insinuate political contradictions.

When speaking to the national press in Costa Rica, candidate Solis of the Citizens’ Action political party (Spanish initials: PAC) mostly played the role of elder statesman. When he went on CNN, however, his tone changed to that of a political analyst throwing zingers in the direction of his opponent.

“[Candidate Araya’s] confidants and campaign leaders, newly-elected legislators, and even the youth section of his political party have stated that they will continue to press for votes. To me, that looks like he’s not in the fight, but in a way he still is.”

Not long after candidate Solis finished delivering his comments to CNN, the political punditry in Costa Rica hinted at the possibility of a Machiavellian plot being concocted by the powerhouse National Liberation party (Spanish initials: PLN) to essentially remain in power by either pulling an upset at the polls or forming a powerful political coalition that would silence PAC over the next four years.

Candidate Solis also told CNN that it is his opinion that his opponent is virtually obligated to continue his electoral campaign if he cannot prevent his supporters from campaigning for him anyway. The PAC candidate explained to CNN that he does not think he needs to talk to his opponent at this point.

Now that he is the clear leader of the unopposed runoff election, candidate Solis is calling on his constituency to deliver a million votes for the purpose of thoroughly legitimizing his absolute electoral victory, even though he only needs the popular vote. To this end, candidate Solis really needs to appeal to voters in Costa Rica on a purely democratic sense. As seen in the February elections, Ticos once again showed the world that they are extremely happy of being part of the oldest uninterrupted democracy in Latin America: 65 years without an army means 65 years without a coup, putsch, takeover, or otherwise unlawful transfer of government.

Source: CNN Español via Diario Extra