In Costa Rica, Conservative, Fabricio Alvarado held a strong lead in the presidential election. <br/><br/>According to the electoral tribunal, with most votes counted, Alvarado had 24.7 percent of the vote with nearest rival Carlos Alvarado of Citizen's Action Party on 21.6 percent. As neither won 40 percent, both candidates will go to a run-off in April.<br/><br/>Same-sex marriage became a key issue after a court ruled that such alliances should be recognised in the country. Polling was held yesterday with a turnout of 65 percent.<br/><br/>