León Cortés Castro

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Image:Cortescastro.jpg León Cortés Castro President of Costa Rica Term of office:  8 May 1936 to 8 May 1940 – Preceded by:   Ricardo Jiménez (third term) – Succeeded by:  Rafael Calderón Date of birth: 8 December 1882 Place of birth: Alajuela Date of death: 3 March 1946 Place of death: Santa Ana Party:

León Cortés Castro served as President of Costa Rica from 1936 to 1940. During his term he introduced new bank reforms, supported banana plantations in the South Pacific region, and established ports at Quepos and Golfito. He was suspected of being Nazi sympathizer because of his ties to rich German expatriates, and he prevented Jews from entering the country.

In San José province there is a canton that bears his name and, in San José, a monument to him stands in front of the Costa Rica Art Museum.