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 SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) - Oscar Arias, a former president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, held a razor-thin lead Monday over a lesser known economist who opposes ratifying a regional free-trade accord with the United States.
Arias, a supporter of the commercial pact, had 40.5 percent of the vote from Sunday's balloting to 40.2 percent for Otton Solis, with votes from 88 percent of the polling places counted. Twelve other candidates split much of the rest.
The counting was suspended Monday night with Arias just 3,250 votes ahead, and a manual recount was planned for Tuesday.
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