Otto Guevara, 49, a Libertarian candidate has turned the nation's presidential election into a horse race by charging into second place.
Guevara wants to dollarize the currency and slash income taxes. Guevara is polling at 27% approval, up 8% since August while Laura Chinchilla is polling at 44%. A victory of 40% is needed in the Feb. 7 election or a run-off is held. Costa Rica provides socialized health care and public education and has been slow to sell its state-run telephone monopoly.