Costa Rican maverick Chaves makes pitch to opposition after presidency win

Rodrigo Chaves gestures to supporters after winning Costa Rica's run-off presidential election against former President Jose Maria Figueres, in San Jose, Costa Rica April 3, 2022. REUTERS/Mayela Lopez

SAN JOSE (Reuters) - Economist Rodrigo Chaves extended a hand to the opposition upon winning the Costa Rican presidency on Sunday after a bruising election campaign in which the former World Bank official vowed to break with traditional politics.

Defeating former president Jose Maria Figueres by about 53% to 47% in a run-off vote, according to preliminary results, the bearded 60-year-old Chaves quickly dropped his confrontational campaign rhetoric and said it was time to work together.