In ’90s, he wrote for La República, a daily newspaper based in San José. His writing focused on civil society, international relations and trade and has been published by Foreign Affairs Latinoamérica, Frontera Norte, Espacios and Global Governance. Solís announced his candidacy for president on November 27, 2012. In the PAC’s primary, he ran against Epsy Campbell Barr, Juan Carlos Mendoza García, and Ronald Solís Bolaños, winning with 35 percent of the vote, only 110 votes more than Juan Carlos Mendoza García. In October 2013, he chose Helio Fallas and Ana Helena Chacón Echeverría as his Vice-Presidential running mates. Solís claimed he would clean up corruption, create major investments in infrastructure and shore up Costa Rica’s universal health care and social security system. Solís took office on May 8, 2014. Solís is married to Mercedes Peñas and they have six children. In addition to public service and academics, Solís enjoys farming.
