Costa Rica swears in new President Carlos Alvarado

REUTERS - Costa Rica swore in its new President Carlos Alvarado yesterday (May 08), with the center-left leader promising a more tolerant, green and secure nation. Alvarado swept to victory in April in a controversial election against conservative Protestant singer Fabricio Alvarado Munoz. The election had exposed divisions in the Central American tourist destination known for laid-back beach culture and pristine rainforests, but where some rural communities remain socially conservative. Alvarado who is just 39 years old is the country's youngest president in modern history. He has spoken out in support of marriage equality, building a green transport network for the nation and for spurring economic growth to fight against insecurity. Although Costa Rica is one of the region's most stable economies, the Central American nation is struggling to get its deficit under control amidst a Fitch downgrade and to combat a wave of record crime that has hit the country.