Arias Third, Ortega First in Central America Poll Reveals
Costa Rican president, Óscar Arias Sánchez, occupies third place among the leaders of Central America and the Dominican Republic, according to poll by CID Gallup Latin America.

The CID Gallup poll for the first quarter of 2007 places Nicaraguan president, Daniel Ortega, in first place considered the best leader by his people. Three out of every five Nicaraguans qualify Ortega's work to date as "good" or "very good". Ortega with 61% of the popularity has been in office this time around for a little over a month when the poll was taken.

In second place is the president of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, which only slighlty behind Ortega in support by his people.

Arias placed in this place with 55% of the popular vote.

Following the popularity list is Antonio "Tony" Saca of El Salvador, Leonel Fernández of the Dominican Republic, Martín Torrijos of Panamá and finally Óscar Berger of Guatemala, who placed in the "regular" to "bad" catagory by their people.

This week president Arias will be travelling to Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, to take part in the Foro de Líderes Gubernamentales de las Américas (a forum for the government leaders in the Americas). Some 140 invited guests, among them presidents, vice-presidents, and representative of Latin American governments will attend the forum.

Arias will also take the opportunity this week to meet with Microsoft founder, Bill Gates. As announced last week, president Arias, will be asking Gates for Microsoft's technological support for Costa Rica to assist the youth in the country.

Presidential popularity
Daniel Ortega, Nicaragua      61%
Manuel Zelaya, Honduras      57%
Óscar Arias, Costa Rica         55%
Antonio Saca, El Salvador      44%
Leonel Fernández , DR          38%
Martín Torrijos, Panamá         24%
Óscar Berger, Guatemala      20%