José Figueres Ferrer was victorious in the Costa Rican civil war, after which he appointed himself head of the provisional junta.
Sounds like trouble — but he only ruled for 18 months, during which time he abolished the army and extended the franchise to women and nonwhite people. Then he stepped down and there have been fair elections since.
José Figueres Ferrer was victorious in the Costa Rican civil war, after which he appointed himself head of the provisional junta.
Sounds like trouble — but he only ruled for 18 months, during which time he abolished the army and extended the franchise to women and nonwhite people. Then he stepped down and there have been fair elections since.