Chinchilla Miranda, Laura, 1959–, Costa Rican politian, president of Costa Rica (2010–). Before entering politics she worked as a consultant for international agencies in Latin America and Africa. A center-leftist in welfare policies but a conservative on social issues, she is a member of the National Liberation party and served as deputy minister of public security (1994–96) and minister of public security (1996–98). Elected to the legislative assembly in 2002, she became (2006) one of two vice presidents serving under President Oscar Arias Sánchez. Arias's choice as his successor, she won nearly 47 percent of the vote in 2010 to become Costa Rica's first woman president.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Costa Rican History: Biographies
