... The Figueres Administrations (1949, 1953, 1970) ...
by Infocostarica Staff

Don José Figueres Ferrer was born in San Ramón of Alajuela, Costa Rica, on the 25 of September of 1906. He was son of Don Mariano Figueres Forges of Mrs. Francisca Ferrer Minguella.

Without being very well-known in the national atmosphere, Don "Pepe" (diminutive for José) Figueres went on the radio, to denounce some actions of Calderón Guardia's government. He was, from this moment on, to become a political leader. Because of this, President Calderón expelled him from Costa Rica on the 11 of July 1942 and he was allowed the entrance to Costa Rica one year after that.

In 1948 he headed the revolutionary movement of National Liberation in protest for the government's disrespect of democratic suffrage, due to Teodoro Picado's administration's decision not to accept the decision of the people of the newly elected President Mr. Otilio Ulate Blanco.

Among many other achivements in his political life, he has the following: He established the "Junta Fundadora" (Founding committee) of the Second Republic of Costa Rica, which in time summond a Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1949 Constitution of Costa Rica, and he exercised as President during a year and half. In that period he abolished the army, which is perhaps the most acclaimed and famous of his achievements. He also established the new official lyrics of the National Anthem and created the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) that ended the electrical power crisis that the country had suffered until then.

President Figueres passed the government of Costa Rica on to Don Otilio Ulate, who had been elected two years before, but not recognized by the Picado Government, in November 8 1949.

He was again elected president 1953 and in 1970. During his administrations he founded the National Institute of Housing and Urbanism (INVU). He nationalized the banking system, he removed the electric tram to San José's city, opened many schools and high schools. He contributed to the construction of the Inter-American highway, that runs from Chile to Alaska. He promoted the private industry and stimulated the national companies.

He created the Rural Guards Law, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCJD); the Mixed Institute of Social Help (IMAS) and the General Attorney's office of the Republic. He reorganized the National Symphonic Orchestra. Founded the Institute of Development and Municipal Consultantship (IFAM), the Costa Rican Institute of Ports of the Pacific, The Costa Rican Corporation of Development (CODESA), the National Commission of Indigenous Affairs (CONAI) and the National University (A). He had the railroad to the Atlantic transfered over to the State and it impelled the construction of the breakwater in Limon. The terminal of the station of Puntarenas was reconstructed for the Railroad to the Pacific. He also created the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT). He also promoted the invigoration of the middle class in Costa Rica, which has given the country a political stability it needed to develop.

He was very active and energetic. He incurred in big historical responsibilities with successes and errors, supported by some and criticized by others. He died June 8 1990 and it was declared Meritorious of the Homeland (a hero status conferred by the Legislative Assembly (Congress) in November of that same year.

His government's main achievements

1. He nationalized the banking deprived in 1948
2. Abolished the army
3. Created the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) in 1949
4. Made the National Institute of Housing and Urbanism (INVU) in 1954 ,
5. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in 1971
6. The Mixed Institute of Social Help (IMAS)
7. The General Attorney's office of the Republic
8. Nationalized the Railroad to the Atlantic
9. Built highways and schools
10. The National University (UNA) in 1973 and the Technological Institute of Costa Rica (ITCR) in 1971
11. The Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT)
12. The National Commission of Indigenous Matters (CONAI)
13. He approved the feminine vote in 1949, but she/he was carried out up to 1953
14. Createdthe National Council of the Production in 1948