Laura Chinchilla - The new President of Costa Rica

Scott Oliver - May 2010

Sixty years after the women exercised their right to vote for the first time, the Presidency of the Republic of Costa Rica will be a woman - Laura Chinchilla - who dreams of a greener, more prosperous and more caring country.

Born to a middle class family in a humble neighborhood en Desamparados, Laura first attended the República del Perú school. At age 18 she travelled through Central America and quickly understood the privilege of having been born in a country without an army.

The new President of Costa Rica - Laura Chinchilla

She studied political science at the University of Costa Rica and later obtained a Masters degree in Public Policy from the University of Georgetown in the USA.

Laura aged 51 is the daughter of Rafael Ángel Chinchilla and Emilce Miranda, she is married to José María Rico aged 76 with whom she has a 13 year old son, her two passions in life are her family and her work.

The current President of Costa Rica - Oscar Arias

From early on, she excelled in the international field specializing in public safety, crime prevention and judicial reform, with institutions like the United Nations, the Inter-American Development Bank and foundations that promote peace and human development.

She has been keynote speaker at various international forums, has published four books and numerous articles.

She has led projects in different Latin American countries, in the Caribbean and Africa and this experience has shown her the strong value of Costa Rica's democracy and the challenges she faces to ensure an adequate quality of life for its inhabitants.

The stage is being built in Parque La Sabana

Laura has devoted much of her professional life to public service in Costa Rica where she has accumulated vast experience in public affairs. She was the first Minister of Public Security in the country's history.

From this position she tried to create a more professional police force, she encouraged more women to join, created the Community Safety Program, helped with some of the largest drug seizures in the country and successfully cut back on the number of vehicles stolen. Because of this she was recognized as the most effective Minister in the cabinet by the national press.

Who gets to walk on the red carpet?

As Congresswoman, she chaired various committees from which several laws were promoted which have had a significant on the level of efficiency within the public sector, public safety, crimes against children, domestic violence and fighting corruption.

From May 2006 until October 2008, Laura Chinchilla served as First Vice-President of the government of Oscar Arias and as Minister of Justice. During this time, she worked with the preparation and presentation to the Assembly of the law for the Integral Strengthening of Public Safety and the law against Organized Crime plus the adoption of a law to protect women against violence.

Laura has also worked with the National Center for the Treatment of Addiction, she has promoted the "digital government", telecommuting and the technological modernization of the National Register

On Saturday 8th May 2010 Laura Chinchilla will becomes the first female President in the history of Costa Rica.

We wish you all the best Laura! The ceremony may be finished at the end of the day but your work has just begun.

Even my favourite park ducklings and squirrel are excited!

Written by Scott Oliver, author of 1. Costa Rica Real Estate Scams & How To Avoid Them, 2. How To Buy Costa Rica Real Estate Without Losing Your Camisa, 3. Costa Rica's Guide To Making Money Offshore and the Director/Producer of the Costa Rica Living & Retirement - Secrets To Happiness DVDs.

Customer Comments

3 Comments 5 star: (3) 4 star: (0) 3 star: (0) 2 star: (0) 1 star: (0)

Average Customer Comment (3 Comments)

Most Helpful Customer Comments

0 of 0 people found the following comment helpful:

Congrads to the new pres, May 7, 2010

By thebobwhos - See all my comments

unlike the US pres, Looks like Laura is well qualified for the job. the ticos have picked a winner, in my opinion. I hope she can have a positive effect on making some real changes to improve an already great country.

Comments (0)

---

1 of 1 people found the following comment helpful:

Nice person., May 7, 2010

By F.A Skippy - See all my comments

I had the pleasure of meeting Laura back in 2007.
She is a sweet gal and much more a "greenie" than Oscar.
She will put a stop to quite a bit of this "development" nonsense.
Oscar and cronies might not like what they see.
GitRdun guapa !

Comments (0)

---

1 of 1 people found the following comment helpful:

A WOMAN PRESIDENT, May 7, 2010

By stryker45 - See all my comments

I'm totally in favor of more women in positions of power worldwide. Hopefully, they will bring a higher degree of reason, peace, and practicality to the issues that have been so poorly handled by power-hungry, egomaniacal, warmongering men.

And I'm a guy, by the way. Straight, too! GO LAURA!

Comments (1)

---

Related Articles

·  Living In Costa Rica During The Rainy Season ·  New Highway From Quepos To Dominical ·  Why I'm Leaving Canada To Retire In Costa Rica ·  Costa Rica Farm For Sale in Puriscal - Finca Café Rios ·  Seller Financing For A Luxury Home In Santa Ana And A Farm In Puriscal ·  Living in Costa Rica. The hidden jewel of the Central Pacific - Playa Palo Seco