Commemorating his nation’s commitment to peace, Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solis presided over celebrations marking the 67th anniversary of the Central American nation’s abolition of the military.
In remarks at the National Museum, President Solis said “the abolition of our army reflects belief in the concept of peace, which today we commemorate and would pass on to the whole world. Costa Rica was founded with a commitment to dialogue within a culture of peace.”
Following the country’s civil war, then-President Jose Figueres Ferrer made the decision to disband the military on December 1, 1948, the only North American nation to do so, and in turn re-directed national resources towards education, healthcare and social programs. National security responsibilities now rest with a 14,000 strong national police force in the country of 4.7 million people.
“This fundamental decision has forged generations of Costa Ricans who have never seen a tank or a warplane in our territory, and whose expectations as Costa Ricans will never include carrying an assault rifle to die on a battlefield” said Solis.
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