José María Figueres acknowledged his defeat in the Costa Rican elections: “I congratulate Rodrigo Chaves and wish him the best”

The candidate for the National Liberation Party, José María Figueres, acknowledged his defeat in the second round of the presidential elections held in Costa Rica this Sunday.

“I congratulate Rodrigo Chaves and wish him well,” said the centre-right candidate to acknowledge the victory of his contender, after the country's Electoral Tribunal issued the first bulletin of results.

“Costa Rica has voted and the people have spoken, we will always be respectful of that decision,” Figueres added.

“We continue to intend to save Costa Rica,” the candidate said after congratulating the Electoral Tribunal, while calling on citizens to seek the meeting points that unite them as a country.

The Supreme Elections Court issued the first cut of the ballot: with 93.54% of votes counted, Rodrigo Chaves (Social Democratic Progress Party) obtained 52.9% and José María Figueres (National Liberation Party) 47.10%

“The people have spoken and we will always be respectful of that decision,” Figueresal said, assuming defeat. “I congratulate Rodrigo Chaves and wish him well,” he added.

The day passed peacefully throughout the country, with some minor incidents and the death of a 76-year-old man who suffered a heart attack at his polling station in the town of Desamparados, in the southern sector of San José, according to the TSE.

News in development...