Abel Pacheco

1.1. Childhood and Family

Abel Pacheco de la Espriella was born on December 22, 1933, in San José, Costa Rica. He was the sixth son of a banana farmer. He spent part of his childhood in the Caribbean coastal province of Limón before returning to the capital city of San José to complete his secondary education.

Pacheco has been married twice. With his first wife, Elsa María Muñoz Batha, he had five children: Abel, Elsa, Yolanda, Sergio, and Valeria. On November 20, 1975, he married his second wife, Leila Rodríguez Stahl, a former Miss Costa Rica winner. Together, they have one son, Fabian.

1.2. Education

Pacheco's academic journey began with studies at Escuela Buenaventura Corrales Bermúdez, followed by Los Ángeles college, where he earned his first degree. With the aid of a scholarship, he pursued higher education in medicine at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City. He later specialized in psychiatry, earning a degree from Louisiana State University in the United States.

2.1. Medical and Psychiatric Career

As a qualified medical doctor with a specialization in psychiatry, Pacheco dedicated a significant portion of his professional life to the healthcare sector. He served as the director of the National Psychiatric Hospital from 1973 to 1976, where he worked for a total of 16 years.

2.2. Media and Academic Activities

During the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Pacheco became a widely recognized and popular presenter of short cultural programs on Costa Rican television. Concurrently with his media work, he also held a position as a lecturer at the University of Costa Rica, contributing to the academic field.

2.3. Business Activities

In the mid-1980s, Pacheco ventured into entrepreneurship by establishing a gentleman's outfitters store in downtown San José called El Palacio del Pantalón_{The Pants Palace}^Spanish. He was personally involved in the operation of this business, attending to customers until 1994.

2.4. Literary Achievements

Pacheco is also an accomplished novelist and songwriter. His literary contributions include a series of novels and several popular songs. His notable works of fiction and non-fiction include:

• Paso de tropa^Spanish (1969)
• Más abajo de la piel^Spanish (1972)
• Una muchacha^Spanish
• El hijo de árbol^Spanish
• La tolvanera^Spanish
• Cuentos de la Meseta Central_{Stories from the Central Plateau}^Spanish
• Cuentos del Pacífico_{Stories of the Pacific}^Spanish
• Gente sin ancla_{People without Anchor}^Spanish

His literary work, particularly Más abajo de la piel^Spanish, earned him the National Literature Prize in Costa Rica. Recognizing its cultural significance, his writings have been translated into over 20 different languages. For his valuable contributions to culture and literature worldwide, Pacheco was honored with the "Citizen of the World" international award. He has also received philanthropic awards for his active involvement in Social corporate responsibility.

3.1. Early Political Activities

In January 1955, Pacheco participated in an incident involving an attack launched from Nicaragua. This assault, supported by Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle and led by former Costa Rican president Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia, aimed to overthrow the then-incumbent President José Figueres Ferrer. However, the attempt ultimately failed. This outcome led to the return of Anastasio Somoza to the presidency in Nicaragua and drew condemnation from the Organization of American States (OAS) and the international community. The lack of proper military preparation on the part of the attackers was attributed to Costa Rica's decision to abolish its army in 1949.

Later, in 1994, Pacheco made his first bid for a higher political office, seeking the vice-presidency alongside presidential candidate Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Echeverría. However, he was ultimately sidelined in favor of José María Figueres Olsen.

3.2. Legislative Assembly

On February 1, 1998, Abel Pacheco was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica as a party-list deputy, representing the province of San José for the Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC). His widespread recognition, largely stemming from his popular television programs, combined with public dissatisfaction regarding the neo-liberal policies implemented by the preceding Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Echeverría administration (1998-2002), significantly bolstered his public support and contributed to his successful election to the unicameral legislature.

3.3. 2002 Presidential Election

In the lead-up to the 2002 presidential election, the PUSC party convention, held on June 10, 2001, overwhelmingly selected Pacheco as its presidential candidate, with him securing 76% of the delegates' votes. This nomination was widely perceived as a triumph for the party's rank-and-file members over its more established and entrenched hierarchy.

Nicknamed the "politician of the people," Pacheco presented a distinctive, non-traditional political profile during his campaign. He opted for a more personal campaign style, characterized by a humble and relaxed demeanor, which resonated with the electorate. His campaign theme, "Choose for yourself," further underscored his populist appeal.

In the first round of the election, Pacheco garnered 38.6% of the vote, falling just short of the 40% threshold required to avoid a run-off. Consequently, a second electoral round was held on April 7, 2002-marking the first time this mechanism had been utilized since its introduction into Costa Rican electoral law. In this decisive second round, Pacheco secured 58% of the vote, narrowly defeating his opponent, Rolando Araya Monge of the social democratic PLN.

3.4. Presidency (2002-2006)

Abel Pacheco de la Espriella served as the 46th President of Costa Rica for a single term, from May 8, 2002, to May 8, 2006. As a representative of the Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), his administration's agenda was largely shaped by his campaign promises, which included a commitment to continuing free market reforms and implementing a strict austerity program aimed at fiscal discipline.

5.1. Literary and Cultural Awards

• "Citizen of the World" international award, bestowed for his valuable and significant contributions to global culture and literature.
• National Literature Prize, awarded for his acclaimed book Más abajo de la piel^Spanish.

5.2. Philanthropic Awards

• Recipient of philanthropic awards acknowledging his active engagement and contributions to Social corporate responsibility.

5.3. Academic Honours

• Honorary Doctor from Fu Jen Catholic University.

5.4. Foreign Honours

• Italy: Knight Grand Cross of Merit of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George from the Two Sicilian Royal Family (April 9, 2004).
• Monaco: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles (November 21, 2003).