Rafael Angel Calderón Fournier

president of Costa Rica

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July 16, 2026

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Rafael Ángel Calderón Fournier served as the president of Costa Rica from 1990 to 1994. He was the son of a former president, Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia. Calderón Fournier campaigned on promises to expand social welfare programs and reduce income inequality. However, facing a significant budget deficit, he implemented austerity measures, which led to a decline in his and his party's popularity. Despite his campaign platform, his presidency was characterized by neoliberal policies, including the privatization of banks and other state agencies, and the elimination of protectionist legislation. These policies, along with lower petroleum prices, contributed to an improvement in Costa Rica's economic condition.12

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Costa Rica
Costa Rica from 1974 to 2000
…in 1990, was succeeded by Rafael Angel Calderón Fournier of the PUSC. Calderón Fournier, son of the reform president of the 1940–44 period, Rafael Angel Calderón Guardia, had lost two previous presidential campaigns. Calderón Fournier had campaigned to expand social welfare programs and to reduce income inequalities, but, faced with…
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…in 1990, was succeeded by Rafael Angel Calderón Fournier of the PUSC. Calderón Fournier, son of the reform president of the 1940–44 period, Rafael Angel Calderón Guardia, had lost two previous presidential campaigns. Calderón Fournier had campaigned to expand social welfare programs and to reduce income inequalities, but, faced with…
Read More