President of Costa Rica. Figueres Ferrer served as president of Costa Rica in three different terms (1948-1949, 1953-1958, and 1970-1974). He was educated in Costa Rica, Mexico, and the United States before returning home to go into the field of agriculture. Figueres Ferrer was forced into exile for two years after criticizing President Rafael Angel Calderon Guardia in 1942. He became president of a governing junta in 1948 after the election that year was annulled by the legislature and he led a successful revolt against Calderon Guardia who was trying to "steal" the election. The Figueres Ferrer-led junta rewrote the constitution which tried to make positive changes in the country. In 1949 he turned over power to Otilio Ulate, who had actually won the election the year before. Figueres Ferrer was elected president in 1953 and was a firm "anti-communist social democrat during his administration which made many social reforms and followed a pro-United States foreign policy. When Nicaragua tried to invade Costa Rica in 1955, he received assistance from the United States and was able to repel the invaders. His term was up in 1958 and from then until 1970 when he was again elected president, he worked for the United Nations and also taught at several universities in the United States. His second constitutional term as president from 1970 to 1974 was controversial as he allowed American fugitive financier Robert Vesco to live and invest in the country and also he became friendlier with the Soviet Union and Cuba. After leaving the presidency, Figueres Ferrer supported the Sandinistas who were trying to overthrow the Somoza regime in neighboring Nicaragua.
President of Costa Rica. Figueres Ferrer served as president of Costa Rica in three different terms (1948-1949, 1953-1958, and 1970-1974). He was educated in Costa Rica, Mexico, and the United States before returning home to go into the field of agriculture. Figueres Ferrer was forced into exile for two years after criticizing President Rafael Angel Calderon Guardia in 1942. He became president of a governing junta in 1948 after the election that year was annulled by the legislature and he led a successful revolt against Calderon Guardia who was trying to "steal" the election. The Figueres Ferrer-led junta rewrote the constitution which tried to make positive changes in the country. In 1949 he turned over power to Otilio Ulate, who had actually won the election the year before. Figueres Ferrer was elected president in 1953 and was a firm "anti-communist social democrat during his administration which made many social reforms and followed a pro-United States foreign policy. When Nicaragua tried to invade Costa Rica in 1955, he received assistance from the United States and was able to repel the invaders. His term was up in 1958 and from then until 1970 when he was again elected president, he worked for the United Nations and also taught at several universities in the United States. His second constitutional term as president from 1970 to 1974 was controversial as he allowed American fugitive financier Robert Vesco to live and invest in the country and also he became friendlier with the Soviet Union and Cuba. After leaving the presidency, Figueres Ferrer supported the Sandinistas who were trying to overthrow the Somoza regime in neighboring Nicaragua.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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