Costa Rica elects first female president

Mrs Chinchilla will become the first woman to lead her country after securing a clear victory in the presidential election.

"Thank you, Costa Rica!" said Mrs Chinchilla, the candidate of the ruling National Liberation Party, addressing thousands of supporters after her top rival conceded defeat.

"This is a moment for joy, but above all, also a moment for humility," the president-elect continued.

"I will not betray your confidence because it is clear that it has not been given to me as a gift."

Mrs Chinchilla, the protégé of Nobel peace laureate President Oscar Arias, is set to take office on May 8.

The 50-year-old career politician was born into a political family and served as public safety minister, congressional deputy and most recently as vice president and justice minister in outgoing President Arias's cabinet.

Married with a teenage son, Mrs Chinchilla is a social conservative – opposing gay marriage, abortion and any change to Roman Catholicism's position as the state religion.

Costa Rica's development strategy in recent years has centred around boosting tourism and exports, mainly fruit and high-quality coffee, but increasingly also manufactured goods such as microchips, through free-trade pacts.

"These are priority issues for us," Chinchilla said.

"The greatest challenge we face in the coming years is to take the absolute most of these trade treaties."