From Leader to Common Criminal
Born into politics, Rafael Angel Calderón is the first former president of Costa Rica to spend time in jail, where he will be for the next nine months in preventive detention during the Fiscalía's investigative phase.

If there is sufficient evidence to go to trial and is found guilty, Calderón could spend up to 11 years of life in prison.

Rafael Ángel Calderón Fournier was born on March 14, 1949 and son of former president Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia, who was in exile in Nicaragua at the time and Rosario Fournier, who was Costa Rican ambassador to Mexico from 1978 to 1981.

Calderón was returned to Costa Rica in June of 1958 when his father was granted permission to retunr to Costa Rica by president Mario Echandi Jiménez.

Graduating as a law student from the University of Costa Rica he entered politics at the age of 25 and was elected deputy for the period of 1970 to 1974 and later served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Rodrigo Carazo Odio (1978-1980) administration. He began his presidential campaign following leaving office at the end of his term.

Married to Gloria Bejarano Almada in 1972 while in Mexico, they have four children: Rafael Ángel, Gloria, María Gabriela and Marco Antonio.

Calderón Fournier was successful in founding the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) in 1983, failing his presidential bid in 1982. He campaigned for the presidential chair on trow other occasions, losing in 1986, but finally winning the election in 1990.

At 41 years of age, Rafael Ángel Calderón Fournier was now president of Costa Rica, just like his father had been some years back.

Calderón was always known for his diplomatic tone, tact, capacity to negotiate and tremendous political experience, converting himself into an unquestionable leader, both within his party and on a national level.

In 1998, Calderón put his bid to become Secretray General of the Organization of American States (OAS), a position that his friend and former president Miguel Angel Rodríguez Echeverria would fill, only to be forced to resign less than one month later for corruption allegations in Costa Rica.

Calderón and his family have been a political force in the country and a family name that has carried a lot of weight and commanded respect from Costa Ricans.

Now, Costa Ricans lined the streets to see the police caravan carrying the former leader in a "perrera" like a common criminal and being protected by police and prison officials against any reprisals for his life.