Costa Rica became the first Central American country to legalize same-sex marriage on Tuesday.

According to the Costa Rican Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling, lawmakers had 18 months to adjust the current law or same-sex marriage would automatically become legal. The legislative assembly did not alter any laws, so the ruling came into force at midnight, which invalidated the laws banning same-sex marriage.

Costa Rica’s public television broadcasted a special program on LGBT rights. President Carlos Alvarado also tweeted in support: “Today we celebrate freedom, equality and democratic institutions.”

Costa Rica is the sixth Latin American country to recognize same-sex marriage, with Ecuador legalizing it last year. It also became the eighth country in the Americas, and the twenty-eighth UN member state to do so.