Journalist, lawyer, diplomat, student leader, statesman, peacemaker—Costa Rican Rodrigo Madrigal has dedicated his adult life to furthering the process of Central American integration. That’s why the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) last month awarded Madrigal, 80, its highest honor—the Distinguished Central American Award.
Madrigal’s efforts to forge a stronger and more interdependent Central America began in 1947 when he was president of the Federation of Students of the University of Costa Rica (FEUCR).
“Central America lived under very difficult conditions at that time,” explained the dapper, articulate former publisher. “Costa Rica was the only democracy in the region. The other four countries were governed by military dictatorships that often jailed and killed students and professors. I was involved in protests over what was happening to our colleagues.”
Early Career
After graduating with degrees in law and journalism, Madrigal began working as a journalist and in 1962 was named director of the daily La República. Soon after, he joined the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA), which represents newspapers throughout the hemisphere, and was elected its president.
As IAPA president, Madrigal led the battle to save Nicaragua’s daily La Prensa after dictator Anastasio Somoza shut it down. Under his leadership, the newspaper was eventually reopened.
Madrigal then ventured into public service, becoming a prominent legislator. In 1979, while president of the Legislative Assembly, he attended several forums in the United States to discuss the worsening situation in Nicaragua and Central America. It was there he made a bold proposal to resolve the region’s ongoing conflicts.
“It was clear that Somoza was about to fall,” he explained. “I gave a speech based on two theses. I recommended that the democracies of Europe and the United States form an alliance to defend and promote democracy in Central America. I also recommended implementing something similar to a Marshall Plan for Central America to relieve poverty.”
The Marshall Plan for Central America
The Marshall Plan, named for U.S. Secretary of State Gen. George Marshall, was a highly successful initiative by the United States to reconstruct Europe after World War II. The U.S. invested more than $13 billion in economic and technical assistance to aid recovery in war-ravaged European countries.
Madrigal’s proposal sought to improve living conditions in Central America, which had been devastated by decades of dictatorship, economic exploitation, and civil wars.
Diplomatic Achievements
After Madrigal’s legislative term ended in 1982, then-President Luis Alberto Monge (1982-1986) named him special envoy to represent Costa Rica in Washington, D.C. Madrigal used this position to advocate for his vision for Central America. Although a commission was eventually created to study the matter, the results were modest.
In 1986, then-President Oscar Arias (1986-1990) appointed Madrigal as Foreign Minister, giving him an active role in resolving longstanding regional conflicts. Madrigal was a key figure in negotiating and drafting the Arias Peace Plan, which helped bring peace to the region and earned Arias the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize.
During his tenure as minister, Madrigal once again stepped in to rescue La Prensa, this time shut down by the Sandinistas. After several meetings, he convinced Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega to change his stance.
The Vision for Central America
“As I have said in the past, history situated us here in this position,” Madrigal said. “We, the countries of Central America, were born together in history. This is something we cannot ignore. We come from the same colonial process, became republics at the same time, developed the same agricultural products, and speak the same language.
“It’s pointless to attempt to ignore this reality,” he continued. “We have to work together to improve the situation of Central America. We can’t ignore our neighboring countries. In that sense, I have been a small builder of the idea of Central American integration.”
Foundation for Peace and Democracy
Madrigal’s dedication to Central American integration continues in his role as president of the non-profit Foundation for Peace and Democracy (Funpadem), which he helped create in 1988. Based in San José, the foundation works to build a Central America that offers better conditions for its more than 30 million inhabitants, using cooperation and social justice as a foundation for development.
In addition to his work, Madrigal is a devoted family man, sharing his life with his wife Miriam, their children, and many grandchildren. His hobbies include playing tennis and stamp collecting.
Interview with Rodrigo Madrigal
TT: What have been the most significant advances in the Central American integration process since the peace accords were signed?
RM: The greatest advance is the reduction in the role played by the military in the region’s governments. Before the peace accords, the president was usually a general. These were governments that went against the will of the people.
This has completely changed. Today, there are legitimately elected governments in all Central American countries, which won elections accepted by all parties. This is extremely important.
However, democracy has failed to give citizens the well-being that many had expected. There is still a large concentration of wealth. Large sectors of the population still live in poverty.
TT: What is the main challenge for the process of Central American integration?
RM: To strengthen the institutions created to govern the process. Such institutions already exist in the form of the Central American Integration System (SICA) and its organizations. However, those institutions need to be made more effective.
