Mario Echandi Jiménez

Mario Echandi Jimenéz
President of Costa Rica
In office
8 May 1958 – 8 May 1962
Preceded by José Figueres Ferrer
Succeeded by Francisco Orlich
Personal details
Born 17 June 1915
San José, Costa Rica
Died 30 July 2011 (aged 96)
San José, Costa Rica
Political party National Union Party (during term)
National Unification Party (after term)

Mario José Echandi Jiménez (17 June 1915 – 30 July 2011) was President of Costa Rica from 1958 to 1962.

As diplomat

Mario Echandi was a career diplomat. Prior to his election, he had served as Costa Rica's ambassador to the United States and as the country's representative to both the United Nations and the Organization of American States (1949–1950). He also served as the minister of foreign affairs (1950-1952) under President Otilio Ulate and in the Legislative Assembly during President José Figueres's second term in office (1953–1958).

His presidency

President Echandi won the 1958 election by 102.851 votes as candidate of the National Union Party. Francisco J. Orlich was candidate of National Liberation Party with 94.778 and Jorge Rossi had 23.910 votes with the Independent Party. .[1] During his administration some important laws were passed. The "Ley de Aguinaldo" law gave an extra yearly salary to all workers. A law that created the national service for clean water was approved.[2] The law that created a national institute for land reform and colonization. (ITCO law). The first national plan for transit and roads was created, to build a network of highways and roads in the country.[3]

National reconciliation

During his administration some political figures were allowed to return from exile, like the former president Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia. His followers were allowed to returned to the country and organize politically.[4]

After his presidency

He ran for the presidency on two further occasions – 1970 and 1982 – but was defeated on both.

Death

Echandi died on 30 July 2011 from pneumonia after a heart attack.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Historía de Costa Rica, Monge Alfaro, Carlos. edición #16, Imprenta Trejos, 1980, page 304
  2. ↑ Historía de Costa Rica, Monge Alfaro, Carlos. edición #16, Imprenta Trejos, 1980, page 304
  3. ↑ Historía de Costa Rica, Monge Alfaro, Carlos. edición #16, Imprenta Trejos, 1980, page 304
  4. ↑ Historía de Costa Rica, Monge Alfaro, Carlos. edición #16, Imprenta Trejos, 1980, page 305
  5. ↑ http://www.nacion.com/2011-07-30/ElPais/Fallecio--expresidente-Mario-Echandi-Jimenez-(1958-1962).aspx