Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Der Brockhaus-Atlas. Die Welt in Bild und Karte, Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus 1937

Der Brockhaus-Atlas. Die Welt in Bild und Karte, Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus 1937

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Der Brockhaus-Atlas. Die Welt in Bild und Karte, Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus 1937
Costa Rica 1938
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Population ca. 580,000
Area (km²) ca. 59,000
Inhabitants per km² 10
Jewish population before 1938 Jewish pop. before 1938 400 (0.07 %)

 

Policy on Immigration and Refugees

Unlike many other Latin American states, the small yet prosperous Central American country of Costa Rica has experienced scarcely any periods of violence.

Because of increasingly stringent immigration laws in the US and Argentina, some 600 Polish Jews migrate to Costa Rica starting in 1929. They lay the foundations for a small Jewish community in San José, the capital city. At the same time, an anti-Jewish attitude is emerging in Costa Rican society and media.

In the 1930s, when the liberal President Ricardo Jiménez is accused of promoting Jewish immigration, the mood changes to open antisemitism. In 1936, the right-wing authoritarian León Cortés, who is both anti-Jewish and pro-German, wins the presidential elections. His term, which ends in 1940, is considered the peak of antisemitism in Costa Rica.

Cortés’s sympathy for European fascism is evidenced by his appointment of the German immigrant Max Effinger, head of the Costa Rican Nazi party, as immigration commissioner. Effinger immediately limits the immigration possibilities for European Jews since they are not part of the “Aryan race.” He also requires all immigrants to prove their wealth, thus closing the door to the many destitute Jewish refugees from Europe.

The open antisemitism of Cortés’s policies does encounter significant social resistance: Many influential politicians and entrepreneurs protect Jews and prevent the full implementation of antisemitic measures. Still, between 1936 and 1940, only 159 Polish Jews settle in Costa Rica.

In 1940 Rafael Calderón Guardia is elected president. He changes his foreign policy by reaching out to the US, making Costa Rica the first Central American country to declare war on the Axis powers following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

At the Évian conference, the Central-American states Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama explain their position in common statements.

 

Regulations for obtaining an entry visa to Costa Rica, Austrian Chancellery, 1938, p. 1 Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Wien

Regulations for obtaining an entry visa to Costa Rica, Austrian Chancellery, 1938, p. 1

Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Wien

Regulations for obtaining an entry visa to Costa Rica, Austrian Chancellery, 1938, p. 2 Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Wien

Regulations for obtaining an entry visa to Costa Rica, Austrian Chancellery, 1938, p. 2

Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Wien

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Regulations for obtaining an entry visa to Costa Rica, Austrian Chancellery, 1938, p. 1 Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Wien

Regulations for obtaining an entry visa to Costa Rica, Austrian Chancellery, 1938, p. 1

Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Wien

Regulations for obtaining an entry visa to Costa Rica, Austrian Chancellery, 1938, p. 1

Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Wien

Regulations for obtaining an entry visa to Costa Rica, Austrian Chancellery, 1938, p. 2 Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Wien

Regulations for obtaining an entry visa to Costa Rica, Austrian Chancellery, 1938, p. 2

Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Wien

Regulations for obtaining an entry visa to Costa Rica, Austrian Chancellery, 1938, p. 2

Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Wien

Regulations for obtaining an entry visa to Costa Rica, Austrian Chancellery, 1938, p. 1 Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Wien
Regulations for obtaining an entry visa to Costa Rica, Austrian Chancellery, 1938, p. 2 Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Wien

Delegation

Luis Dobles Segreda

* 27 January 1889 Heredia   † 27 September 1956 Heredia

Dobles Segreda comes from a wealthy family of coffee merchants that loses its fortune when coffee prices tumble around the turn of the century. Dobles Segreda is only ten years old when he and his older brother must begin working as street vendors to help support the family. He later receives a scholarship to attend school, from which he graduates in 1907.

Subsequently, as a teacher in a rural school, he pushes for an expansion of the curriculum as well as for music and sports education; he also works as a book and cocoa trader.

In 1918 he publishes “Por el amor de Dios …,” the first in a series of nostalgic novels, and over the following years earns recognition as a writer and a pedagogue.

Under the liberal president Ricardo Jiménez Oreamuno, Dobles Segreda is sent to France in 1932 as minister of education; in 1936, the right-wing authoritarian president León Cortés Castro makes him consul general there. It is in this position that he participates in the Évian Conference.

Dobles Segreda remains active in Costa Rican educational, cultural and foreign policy and is a member of the 1949 Constituent Assembly.

Detail of the book cover of the biography of Luis Dobles Segreda, 1985 Abdenago Cordero Elizondo, Luis Dobles Segreda / Ministerio de Cultura Juventud y Deportes /  Instituto del Libro San José

Detail of the book cover of the biography of Luis Dobles Segreda, 1985

Abdenago Cordero Elizondo, Luis Dobles Segreda / Ministerio de Cultura Juventud y Deportes /  Instituto del Libro San José

Delegates of Central America (left: Luis Dobles Segreda) Jüdische Presszentrale Zürich, July 15, 1938 / Archiv für Zeitgeschichte / ETH Zürich

Delegates of Central America (left: Luis Dobles Segreda)

Jüdische Presszentrale Zürich, July 15, 1938 / Archiv für Zeitgeschichte / ETH Zürich

Detail of the book cover of the biography of Luis Dobles Segreda, 1985 Abdenago Cordero Elizondo, Luis Dobles Segreda / Ministerio de Cultura Juventud y Deportes /  Instituto del Libro San José

Detail of the book cover of the biography of Luis Dobles Segreda, 1985

Abdenago Cordero Elizondo, Luis Dobles Segreda / Ministerio de Cultura Juventud y Deportes /  Instituto del Libro San José

Detail of the book cover of the biography of Luis Dobles Segreda, 1985

Abdenago Cordero Elizondo, Luis Dobles Segreda / Ministerio de Cultura Juventud y Deportes /  Instituto del Libro San José

Delegates of Central America (left: Luis Dobles Segreda) Jüdische Presszentrale Zürich, July 15, 1938 / Archiv für Zeitgeschichte / ETH Zürich

Delegates of Central America (left: Luis Dobles Segreda)

Jüdische Presszentrale Zürich, July 15, 1938 / Archiv für Zeitgeschichte / ETH Zürich

Delegates of Central America (left: Luis Dobles Segreda)

Jüdische Presszentrale Zürich, July 15, 1938 / Archiv für Zeitgeschichte / ETH Zürich

Detail of the book cover of the biography of Luis Dobles Segreda, 1985 Abdenago Cordero Elizondo, Luis Dobles Segreda / Ministerio de Cultura Juventud y Deportes /  Instituto del Libro San José
Delegates of Central America (left: Luis Dobles Segreda) Jüdische Presszentrale Zürich, July 15, 1938 / Archiv für Zeitgeschichte / ETH Zürich

Conference Contributions

Joint declaration made by Dr. Constantino Herdocia, delegate of the Republic of Nicaragua, Professor Luis Dobles Segreda, delegate of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dr. Mauricio Rosal, delegate of the Republic of Honduras, and Dr. Ernst Hoffmann, delegate of the Republic of Panama, on behalf of their Governments to the Intergovenmental Committee, Évian, July 11, 1938, 11am, p.  1/2 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Joint declaration made by Dr. Constantino Herdocia, delegate of the Republic of Nicaragua, Professor Luis Dobles Segreda, delegate of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dr. Mauricio Rosal, delegate of the Republic of Honduras, and Dr. Ernst Hoffmann, delegate of the Republic of Panama, on behalf of their Governments to the Intergovenmental Committee, Évian, July 11, 1938, 11am, p.  1/2

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Joint declaration made by Dr. Constantino Herdocia, delegate of the Republic of Nicaragua, Professor Luis Dobles Segreda, delegate of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dr. Mauricio Rosal, delegate of the Republic of Honduras, and Dr. Ernst Hoffmann, delegate of the Republic of Panama, on behalf of their Governments to the Intergovenmental Committee, Évian, July 11, 1938, 11am, p.  2/2 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Joint declaration made by Dr. Constantino Herdocia, delegate of the Republic of Nicaragua, Professor Luis Dobles Segreda, delegate of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dr. Mauricio Rosal, delegate of the Republic of Honduras, and Dr. Ernst Hoffmann, delegate of the Republic of Panama, on behalf of their Governments to the Intergovenmental Committee, Évian, July 11, 1938, 11am, p.  2/2

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegations of Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras for the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegations of Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras for the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegation of Costa Rica to the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938, p. 1/2 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegation of Costa Rica to the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938, p. 1/2

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegation of Costa Rica to the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938, p. 2/2 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegation of Costa Rica to the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938, p. 2/2

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

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Joint declaration made by Dr. Constantino Herdocia, delegate of the Republic of Nicaragua, Professor Luis Dobles Segreda, delegate of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dr. Mauricio Rosal, delegate of the Republic of Honduras, and Dr. Ernst Hoffmann, delegate of the Republic of Panama, on behalf of their Governments to the Intergovenmental Committee, Évian, July 11, 1938, 11am, p.  1/2 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Joint declaration made by Dr. Constantino Herdocia, delegate of the Republic of Nicaragua, Professor Luis Dobles Segreda, delegate of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dr. Mauricio Rosal, delegate of the Republic of Honduras, and Dr. Ernst Hoffmann, delegate of the Republic of Panama, on behalf of their Governments to the Intergovenmental Committee, Évian, July 11, 1938, 11am, p.  1/2

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Joint declaration made by Dr. Constantino Herdocia, delegate of the Republic of Nicaragua, Professor Luis Dobles Segreda, delegate of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dr. Mauricio Rosal, delegate of the Republic of Honduras, and Dr. Ernst Hoffmann, delegate of the Republic of Panama, on behalf of their Governments to the Intergovenmental Committee, Évian, July 11, 1938, 11am, p.  1/2

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Joint declaration made by Dr. Constantino Herdocia, delegate of the Republic of Nicaragua, Professor Luis Dobles Segreda, delegate of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dr. Mauricio Rosal, delegate of the Republic of Honduras, and Dr. Ernst Hoffmann, delegate of the Republic of Panama, on behalf of their Governments to the Intergovenmental Committee, Évian, July 11, 1938, 11am, p.  2/2 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Joint declaration made by Dr. Constantino Herdocia, delegate of the Republic of Nicaragua, Professor Luis Dobles Segreda, delegate of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dr. Mauricio Rosal, delegate of the Republic of Honduras, and Dr. Ernst Hoffmann, delegate of the Republic of Panama, on behalf of their Governments to the Intergovenmental Committee, Évian, July 11, 1938, 11am, p.  2/2

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Joint declaration made by Dr. Constantino Herdocia, delegate of the Republic of Nicaragua, Professor Luis Dobles Segreda, delegate of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dr. Mauricio Rosal, delegate of the Republic of Honduras, and Dr. Ernst Hoffmann, delegate of the Republic of Panama, on behalf of their Governments to the Intergovenmental Committee, Évian, July 11, 1938, 11am, p.  2/2

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegations of Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras for the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegations of Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras for the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegations of Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras for the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegation of Costa Rica to the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938, p. 1/2 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegation of Costa Rica to the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938, p. 1/2

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegation of Costa Rica to the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938, p. 1/2

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegation of Costa Rica to the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938, p. 2/2 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegation of Costa Rica to the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938, p. 2/2

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Statement by the delegation of Costa Rica to the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938, p. 2/2

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

Joint declaration made by Dr. Constantino Herdocia, delegate of the Republic of Nicaragua, Professor Luis Dobles Segreda, delegate of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dr. Mauricio Rosal, delegate of the Republic of Honduras, and Dr. Ernst Hoffmann, delegate of the Republic of Panama, on behalf of their Governments to the Intergovenmental Committee, Évian, July 11, 1938, 11am, p.  1/2 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY
Joint declaration made by Dr. Constantino Herdocia, delegate of the Republic of Nicaragua, Professor Luis Dobles Segreda, delegate of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dr. Mauricio Rosal, delegate of the Republic of Honduras, and Dr. Ernst Hoffmann, delegate of the Republic of Panama, on behalf of their Governments to the Intergovenmental Committee, Évian, July 11, 1938, 11am, p.  2/2 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY
Statement by the delegations of Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras for the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY
Statement by the delegation of Costa Rica to the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938, p. 1/2 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY
Statement by the delegation of Costa Rica to the Technical Sub-Committee, July 11, 1938, p. 2/2 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY