Figueres Ferrer, José (1906-1990)

Costa Rican social-democrat politician, leader of the democratic revolution of 1948-49 and president 1953-58 and 1970-74. In 1948 he founded Democratic Action, from which the social-democratic National Liberation Party (PLN) emerged (in 1951), and led an armed revolution to ensure that President Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia, who had lost a presidential election to Otilio Ulate, did not return to power. Figueres headed a reformist junta for 18 months, which abolished the army, enfranchised women and nationalized the banking, insurance and power sectors, before handing over power, in 1949, to Ulate. Figueres was popularly elected president in 1953, and introduced welfare and educational reforms. In his second term 1970-74, he established diplomatic relations with the USSR and promised a war against poverty, but social and economic reforms were more limited.

Figueres spent four years of his early adult life in the USA before returning to Costa Rica and becoming a successful planter. After a making a radio speech critical of President Calderón, he was forced into exile in Mexico 1942-44.

His son, José María Figueres Olsen, was president 1994-98.