QCOSTARICA — Every December 1, Costa Rica commemorates the Day of the Abolition of the Army, an event that transformed the country’s history by prioritizing peace and education over weapons.
On Sunday, Costa Rica celebrated 76 years since the abolition of the army.
On December 1, 1948, José Figueres Ferrer, president of the Founding Board of the Second Republic, starred in a symbolic event that sealed this historic decision. In front of the Bellavista Barracks, Figueres knocked down one of its walls with a blow of a sledgehammer, a gesture that he described as the “coup de grace” for a militaristic era in the country.
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This act not only closed a chapter after Costa Rica’s Civil War of 1948, but also laid the foundations for a political and social system based on civil development.
That same day, Figueres handed over the keys to the barracks to the then Minister of Education, Uladislao Gámez Solano, with the purpose of turning it into a place for culture and historical memory.
Today, the old barracks houses the National Museum, a symbol of Costa Rica’s commitment to education and peace.
Why Did Costa Rica abolish its army?
In a region where militaries hold political power, it is understandable to question how Costa Rica abolished its army.
Upon examining the events that influenced Figueres’ decision,
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A major factor that led to Figueres’ decision was not a commitment to pacifism, but rather the opportunity to weaken and remove the military as a potential political rival.
The beginning of the end of Costa Rica’s army can be traced back to a 1917 coup by General Brigadier Federico Tinoco. While his repressive policies were extremely unpopular among all sectors of Costa Rican society, including the powerful coffee exporters, within two years, the dictator had lost support from economic elites and even the army itself. After Tinoco’s brother, the war minister, was assassinated in 1919, he fled the country.
The ruling elite agreed to diminish the army’s influence, leading to a gradual decrease in the army’s budget. During this time, funding for public education and police departments increased.
From 1940 to 1948, Costa Rica faced significant political division. The social policies implemented by President Rafael Calderón Guardia were met with strong opposition from various groups. This opposition led to escalating tensions and violence.
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Calderón was not reelected in February 1948, however, he convinced Congress to invalidate the election results. A group of young intellectuals, backed by a portion of the ruling elite, established a rebel army and advanced towards the capital.
Led by José Figueres Ferrer, a coffee farmer, their National Liberation Army defeated the disorganized and poorly equipped government forces that had lost funding following the last military coup.
As the leader of the new junta, Figueres took unexpected actions to strengthen Calderón’s progressive social reforms, including nationalizing banks and insurance companies, granting women the right to vote in political elections and full citizenship to Costa Ricans of African descent.
He also disbanded the defeated armed forces and his own troops to ensure civilian rule in the future, aiming to protect future governments from potential threats and allocate resources to public education and health care.
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