alternatehistory.com

Delicate subject.

On December 1, 1948, President José Figueres Ferrer of Costa Rica abolished the military of Costa Rica after victory in the civil war in that year. In a ceremony in the Cuartel Bellavista, Figueres broke a wall with a mallet symbolizing the end of Costa Rica's military spirit. In 1949, the abolition of the military was introduced in Article 12 of the Costa Rican Constitution.

The question if it was a good move was surely hotly debated out of the country, and even in. I bet the right was not happy... (Unless they where on lines of guns then..) And I bet many foreigners derided it. As well, I wonder if the USA was not happy with it.

At the end, nowaday, it seems to have been a good move.,.. But could it had turned NASTY for costa ricans? Could some peoples, in Costa Rica or outside, would have profited of the ending of the army, and pushed things...

Like... Foreign or inside far left revolutionaires, moving in this 'haven', or far right relatives? Was there frontiers disputes that could have turned nasty, and a foreign general said, 'bah, those cowards... lets move in, guys!'?

Could it have turned bad for Costa Rica? Any POD possible.
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