Costa Rica ruling party fails to oust magistrate; Varela reelected

Costa Rica's ruling party (PPSO) failed to secure opposition votes to block the reelection of magistrate Julia Varela, losing an initial legislative battle in its effort to remove current magistrates. The ruling party held its 31 votes but could not capture any of the 7 needed from opposition deputies. This signals early resistance to the government's judicial overhaul agenda.