Witnessing Costa Rican Presidential Elections

Every ACM Semester has something different to offer. This semester, I had the opportunity to witness the Costa Rican presidential elections, from the height of the elections all the way through inauguration. Coincidentally, both candidates had the same last name, but they had very different stances. Fabricio Alvarado and Carlos Alvarado. Fabricio is pro-life, homophobic, and against sexual education. Carlos on the other hand is pro-choice, for equality of the queer community, and for sexual education. These views were huge factors in the vote decision making of Costa Ricans, especially for the Catholics with strict beliefs. During class in ACM, I found it helpful to have intellectual conversations about the elections (and in Spanish).

Tensions rose when it was announced that the final Presidential Elections would be on Easter. On the opposing side, much of the Costa Rican youth spent an enormous amount of time advocating and canvassing for Carlos. On Easter Day, everyone held their breath. Carlos won! Nearly everyone I knew was relieved, including myself. I could not help but worry about the lives of people who would experience heightened discrimination resulting from poor leadership. Thankfully, for the next four years it seems that will not be the case. Something unique to the United States, but not to Latin America is that presidents from in this case, other Central American Countries, came to the Costa Rica inauguration in support of the new president. There was a concert held in the space of the inauguration later that the day to celebrate. Carlos made a quick appearance on stage while I was in the audience! What a day to witness history.