Ok, now that the 2104 election race is official, we can start to poke fun at the candidates. First on our list of presenting you the presidential candidates, is Otto Guevara. This is his Otto’s fourth – yes, fourth – shot at the title, running unsuccessfully in 2002, 2006 and 2010.
Aside from presidential candidate, Otto Guevara Guth (born October 13, 1960) is also the founder of the Partido Movimiento Libertario (Libertarian Movement Party) and currently its president.
Son of civil servants, Guevara studied at the Universidad de Costa Rica (University of Costa Rica) where he earned Bachelor’s degree in law followed by a Masters in International Business from Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (National University of Costa Rica) and a second Masters degree in Law with an emphasis on Conflict Resolution from Harvard University.
In addition to his work as a lawyer and a professor, he has also made a name in tourism, commercial trade, and public policy. He also produced and hosted a number of television and radio shows focused on his moderate pro-freedom message.
“Love is forever. But a Guevara candidacy is eternal”, comment found Facebook.
First elected to congress as the sole representative for the Movimiento Libertario in 1998, Guevara earned recognition as Costa Rica’s best legislator by the press every year of his first term.
In 2002, Libertarian Movement, with Guevara as the presidential candidate, elected 6 members to Congress out of 57 seats, but few weeks later they lost a Congressman, declared independent. After a split within the party that saw a group of libertarian members leave, Guevara said his party was moving to be liberal and not libertarian.
The year 2006 saw the Libertarian Movement Party again elect 6 members to congress, but they lost again other Congressman. As a presidential candidate in 2006, Guevara earned almost 10% of the vote. In 2009, Guevara is elected presidential candidate for third time.
In February 2010, Guevara lost the Presidential election with 20% of the vote for a third place finish.
On election day, Guevara was involved in a religious controversy, as his girlfriend Deborah Formal was seen on national television pocketing part of the host after receiving Eucharist at Catholic Mass.
By all accounts, barring any last minute scandal, Guevara should win be able to win this election. He’s been at for some time, and has the most political campaign experience than the rest (except for Corrales, but that is for another day).
That stick to it attitude should count for something, no? Diay, Pura Vida!
