Chinchilla Costa Rica's first female president

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SAN JOSE, Feb 8 (AFP): Laura Chinchilla, a social conservative who opposes abortion but wants more help for the poor, became Costa Rica's first female president after a convincing election triumph.
Her main opponents conceded defeat and the 50-year-old ruling party candidate joined thousands of supporters celebrating in San Jose early Monday.
First results showed she won 47 per cent of the votes counted, way ahead of her rivals and above the 40 per cent needed to avoid a run-off.
Latin America now has five women leaders.
"Thank you, Costa Rica," Chinchilla said in an address in a hotel in the capital. "It's certainly a moment of happiness, but above all of humility ... I won't betray that confidence."