The Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Costa Rica has tallied and certified the votes that determined the legislators who will represent the province of Guanacaste at the Legislative Assembly during the next administration. The constituency will have to wait until April 6^th to elect the new President of Costa Rica in a runoff election, but the legislators below are ready to start working for the people of Guanacaste.

Juan Marin, National Liberation Party

Born in Hojancha in 1963, Legislator Marin studied business administration at the University of Costa Rica. He was the Mayor of Hojancha from 2003 to 2010. He worked as a legal analyst at the Legislative Assembly prior to his mayoral term and has also served in non-profit organizations that focused on agricultural and business development in Guanacaste.

Marta Arauz, National Liberation Party

She graduated from law school at the University of San Jose in 1998 and has been practicing law ever since. Prior to becoming an attorney, Legislator Arauz was a science teacher at the Night Lyceum of Nicoya. She has also presided over three non-profits in Nicoya: Two dedicated to promoting arts and culture and one that advocates quality of life for cancer patients.

Ronal Vargas, Broad Front

A former Catholic priest who served the Diocese of Tilaran, Legislator Vargas is one of the founders of Guanacaste Ecologic Confraternity and was also vice president of La Cruz Cultural Radio. He is a principal at the Regional Council of the Guanacaste Conservation Area and a professor at three major national universities. He is well-known in environmental and anti-globalization activist circles.

Jhonny Leiva, Social Christian Union

This 37-year old Liberia native is an industrial engineer and entrepreneur who learned English at Boston University. He also has an MBA from Universidad Latina. This is Legislator Leiva’s first foray into politics. According to Marcos Urena of Primero en Noticias, Legislator Leiva does not have experience as a public servant or as a non-profit organization leader. Mr. Urena also compiled the biographical information on the other three legislators.