Background
Rafael Yglesias Castro was born in San José on 16 April 1861.
government official politician president
Rafael Yglesias Castro was born in San José on 16 April 1861.
He was the dominant political figure during the last decade of the nineteenth century, having forced recognition of the election of his father-in-law, José Joaquín Rodríguez in 1890, when President Bernardo Alfaro Soto tried to impose his own candidate. During Rodriguez' term. Iglesias was “the power behind the throne."
Iglesias governed in the wake of the liberal reform administrations of the 1880s, and his authoritarian style caused the young Liberals much discomfort. He was impatient with opposition and frequently violated individual rights, and he amended the Constitution to permit his reelection.
He sponsored significant construction projects, such as the National Theater and Pacific Railroad. He managed to frustrate the Liberals for an additional term with election of a compromise candidate Ascensión Esquivel in 1902.
