Antonio Álvarez Desanti
Encyclopedia
Antonio Álvarez Desanti, is a Costa Rican businessman and politician, currently affiliated with the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) in Costa Rica
. During his political career Alvarez Desanti has served as minister of agriculture, minister of gobernacion (a post close to that of minister of the interior in other countries), congressman and president of the Asamblea Legislativa (Costa Rican unicameral parliament). As a businessman he and his wife own the second biggest independent banana
group in the country, and are involved in several other commercial areas such as finance and real estate.
on July 6, 1958 to Dr. Isaías Álvarez Alfaro and Dora Desanti Arce. While still attending high school, he started working as an assistant for his uncle Jorge Desanti, in the latter's law office. After graduation, he studied Law at the University of Costa Rica
. In 1981 he graduated as Attorney at Law
. He graduated from Harvard University
in 1991, with a Master's degree in International Tax Law.
In 1978, Alvarez founded a small financial business and in 1980 an agro-industry business dealing with post-harvest and marketing of peanut and other agricultural commodities, such as cashew nuts.
. In 1983 he married Nuria Marín Raventós, with whom he had a daughter, Andrea, in 1986.
(FEUCR, by its Spanish acronym) in 1980. One year later he was he was appointed to the campaign of Luis Alberto Monge
as National Treasurer of the Youth branch of the Partido Liberación Nacional.
In 1985, during the Luis Alberto Monge
administration, he was appointed President of Fertica, a State-owned fertilizer manufacturing firm.
In November, 1985 he was named Executive President of the National Council of Production (CNP, by its Spanish acronym). He was reappointed in this post during the first Oscar Arias Sánchez' administration (1986–1990).
On May 1, 1987, Óscar Arias
appointed him Minister of Agriculture and Cattle Production (Ministro de Agricultura y Ganaderia). In 1988 he was appointed Minister of State government and police (Gobernacion y Policia).
In 1988 he was appointed Minister of Interior and Police, where he creates the CICAD (Joint Drug Intelligence Center). In 1991 he assumed the campaign sub management of Jose Maria Figueres Olsen, who in 1994 was elected President of the Republic. During the period 1994-1998, Alvarez Desanti congressman, and in 1995 became President of the Legislative Assembly.
's presidential campaign. During the Figueres Administration, Alvarez Desanti was elected as a member of parliament, and later became its president.
During his tenure he elaborated and presented the "Law against the sexual harassment at work and teaching"; the first time that Costa Rica enacted legislation to prevent sexual harassment. He also promoted laws against domestic violence, laws protecting people with disabilities, another one to protect people suffering from AIDS
, legislation to regulate smoking and another piece of legislation eliminating retirement for members of parliament. He also wrote and promoted new tax legislation, aimed at a fair distribution of wealth and imposing punishment to those who evade taxes.
Alvarez Desanti was the candidate for Unión para el Cambio in the February, 2006 presidential elections. He obtained a 2,44% of total vote turnover.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
. During his political career Alvarez Desanti has served as minister of agriculture, minister of gobernacion (a post close to that of minister of the interior in other countries), congressman and president of the Asamblea Legislativa (Costa Rican unicameral parliament). As a businessman he and his wife own the second biggest independent banana
Banana
Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors when ripe, including yellow, purple, and red....
group in the country, and are involved in several other commercial areas such as finance and real estate.
Early years, education and business career
Alvarez Desanti was born in San JoséSan José, Costa Rica
San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.Founded in 1738 by order of Cabildo de León, San...
on July 6, 1958 to Dr. Isaías Álvarez Alfaro and Dora Desanti Arce. While still attending high school, he started working as an assistant for his uncle Jorge Desanti, in the latter's law office. After graduation, he studied Law at the University of Costa Rica
University of Costa Rica
The University of Costa Rica is a public university in the Republic of Costa Rica, in Central America. Its main campus, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, is located in San Pedro, in the province of San José. It is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious institution of higher learning in...
. In 1981 he graduated as Attorney at Law
Attorney at law
An attorney at law in the United States is a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute and defend actions in such court on the retainer of clients. Alternative terms include counselor and lawyer...
. He graduated from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1991, with a Master's degree in International Tax Law.
In 1978, Alvarez founded a small financial business and in 1980 an agro-industry business dealing with post-harvest and marketing of peanut and other agricultural commodities, such as cashew nuts.
Family and personal life
In 1977 he married Attorney Livia Meza, and four years later, in May 1980, had their daughter, Adriana. He divorced Meza one year later. In 1979 Alvarez was elected as Student Representative to the University Council of the University of Costa RicaUniversity of Costa Rica
The University of Costa Rica is a public university in the Republic of Costa Rica, in Central America. Its main campus, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, is located in San Pedro, in the province of San José. It is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious institution of higher learning in...
. In 1983 he married Nuria Marín Raventós, with whom he had a daughter, Andrea, in 1986.
Accident in 2009
On December, 2009, Mr Alvarez suffered a serious accident while riding a bycicle. On October 8, 2010, he announced the publication of his book, entitled "La Salida", presenting the history of his fight to recover from the accident.Political career
He was elected President of the Student Federation of the University of Costa RicaUniversity of Costa Rica
The University of Costa Rica is a public university in the Republic of Costa Rica, in Central America. Its main campus, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, is located in San Pedro, in the province of San José. It is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious institution of higher learning in...
(FEUCR, by its Spanish acronym) in 1980. One year later he was he was appointed to the campaign of Luis Alberto Monge
Luis Alberto Monge
Luis Alberto Monge Álvarez was the President of Costa Rica from 1982 to 1986.He was born in Palmares, Alajuela Province....
as National Treasurer of the Youth branch of the Partido Liberación Nacional.
In 1985, during the Luis Alberto Monge
Luis Alberto Monge
Luis Alberto Monge Álvarez was the President of Costa Rica from 1982 to 1986.He was born in Palmares, Alajuela Province....
administration, he was appointed President of Fertica, a State-owned fertilizer manufacturing firm.
In November, 1985 he was named Executive President of the National Council of Production (CNP, by its Spanish acronym). He was reappointed in this post during the first Oscar Arias Sánchez' administration (1986–1990).
On May 1, 1987, Óscar Arias
Óscar Arias
Óscar Arias Sánchez is a Costa Rican politician who was President of Costa Rica from 2006 to 2010. He previously served as President from 1986 to 1990 and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his efforts to end civil wars then raging in several other Central American countries.He is also a...
appointed him Minister of Agriculture and Cattle Production (Ministro de Agricultura y Ganaderia). In 1988 he was appointed Minister of State government and police (Gobernacion y Policia).
In 1988 he was appointed Minister of Interior and Police, where he creates the CICAD (Joint Drug Intelligence Center). In 1991 he assumed the campaign sub management of Jose Maria Figueres Olsen, who in 1994 was elected President of the Republic. During the period 1994-1998, Alvarez Desanti congressman, and in 1995 became President of the Legislative Assembly.
Legislation promoted
In 1991 he assumed the position as deputy manager of José María FigueresJosé María Figueres
José María Figueres Olsen , is a Costa Rican politician, businessman and international expert on Sustainable Development and Technology...
's presidential campaign. During the Figueres Administration, Alvarez Desanti was elected as a member of parliament, and later became its president.
During his tenure he elaborated and presented the "Law against the sexual harassment at work and teaching"; the first time that Costa Rica enacted legislation to prevent sexual harassment. He also promoted laws against domestic violence, laws protecting people with disabilities, another one to protect people suffering from AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, legislation to regulate smoking and another piece of legislation eliminating retirement for members of parliament. He also wrote and promoted new tax legislation, aimed at a fair distribution of wealth and imposing punishment to those who evade taxes.
Precandidate of PLN (Partido Liberación Nacional) and foundation of Unión para el Cambio
In the PLN (Partido Liberación Nacional) Convention of June 3, 2001, Alvarez presented his name to become the candidate of this party. After the August, 2004 county-level elections, Alvarez Desanti decided to leave the Partido Liberación Nacional. A few months later, he founded Unión para el Cambio, stating that he was upset with political corruption in the PLN.Alvarez Desanti was the candidate for Unión para el Cambio in the February, 2006 presidential elections. He obtained a 2,44% of total vote turnover.
Return to the PLN Partido Liberación Nacional
In 2008 he returned to the Partido Liberación Nacional. Reportedly, he had the intention of becoming the Partido Liberación Nacional candidate for the 2010 elections, although he encountered a rather cold reception for this move within the PLN leadership. He ended up giving his support to Laura Chinchilla, who was later nominated as the candidate of Liberación Nacional for the February, 2010 election, and later as president of Costa Rica in February, 2010.PLN candidate for 2014 Elections
Mr. Alvarez announced on October 8, 2010 his unequivocal intention to enter into the course for the nomination of the PLN as the candidate for the presidential elections of 2014Poll by UCR - November 2011
On November 11, 2011, a public opinion poll conducted by the University of Costa Rica, placed Antonio Alvarez Desanti as the first in preference to occupy the presidential chair.TV microprograms
In January 2011, Álvarez Desanti launched a series of short tv programs-, in which he addresses various issues such as animal rights, financial management, telework, social networks, among others.External links
- http://www.alvarezdesanti.com/aad/trayectoria.htm