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| e. Costa Rica |
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(See 1936–40)| |
| 1944–48 |
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| A National Republican-Vanguardia Alliance under Pres. Teodoro Picado ruled Costa Rica. The “Calderonista” coalition government introduced social security, high income taxes, an eight-hour workday, and a social welfare system. | 1 |
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| 1948, Feb. 8 |
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| Otilio Ulate Blanco of the National Union Party was elected president. When the government declared the election invalid because of irregularities, JOSÉ (PEPE) FERRER FIGUERES's (1906–90) anti-Communist Army of National Liberation openly revolted, with U.S. military and economic assistance. | 2 |
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| April 17 |
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| The U.S. put its military forces in the Panama Canal zone on alert, allegedly prepared to rid Costa Rica of Communist influence in the government. In the aftermath, the overpowered populist government negotiated a surrender with Figueres's forces. | 3 |
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| May 8 |
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| Figueres headed a military junta that embarked on a program of political and economic reforms. Although he had promoted rightist ideology during his opposition, much of Figueres's programs were clearly populist. He dismantled the army, introduced new taxes, nationalized the banking system, and called a constituent assembly. | 4 |
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| Dec. 10 |
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| Costa Rica was invaded from Nicaragua by Costa Rican exiles. Charges of Nicaraguan complicity were examined by a commission of the Organization of American States and dismissed. | 5 |
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