Watch: An Independence Day message of hope for Costa Rica

President Carlos Alvarado on Sunday shared a message of hope in honor of Costa Rica’s Independence Day.

Watch the video below (and scroll down for an English-language translation):

Un mensaje para Costa Rica en estos 198 años de vida independiente #VivaCostaRica 🇨🇷 pic.twitter.com/HYpf5IrPmJ

— Carlos Alvarado Quesada (@CarlosAlvQ) September 16, 2019

“This September 15, we celebrate 198 years of being an independent country. We are a Costa Rica that sees in its future many challenges, but also have the vision, the desire and the capability to be a country that is better for its people.

“We have achieved a solid democracy, one that bet on saying ‘no’ to its army and ‘yes’ to education. We decided, over generations, to be an example of environmental sustainability for the world. Growth and employment should focus on the growth of people, and on human development, talent and well-being.

“I am convinced that we can come out ahead, because Costa Rica has the necessary things to make progress: People with talent, education and courage.

“So let us all celebrate the independence of our marvelous country.”