Former Costa Rican President Echandi Dies at 96

Mario Echandi Jimenez who was president of Costa Rica from 1958 to 1962, died Saturday at the age of 96, said the foreign ministry. Echandi died at his home as a result of bronchopneumonia, though his health had deteriorated in recent years due to a stroke.

During his administration some important laws were passed. The "Ley de Aguinaldo" law gave an extra yearly salary to all workers. A law that created the nstituto de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA) - national service for clean water was approved. The law that created a national institute for land reform and colonization. (ITCO law). The first national plan for transit and roads was created, to build a network of highways and roads in the country.

In the international arena, he broke off many diplomatic ties with Fidel Castro's Cuban regime at the encouragement of the United States and other Latin American countries.

The foreign ministry said they will coordinate with Echandi Jimenez's family to hold a state funeral and the declaration of national mourning.

Mario Echandi Jimenez (17 June 1915 – 30 July 2011) was a career diplomat. Prior to his election, he had served as Costa Rica's ambassador to the United States and as the country's representative to both the United Nations and the Organization of American States. He also served as the minister of foreign affairs under President Otilio Ulate and in the Legislative Assembly during President José Figueres's second term in office (1953–1958).

President Echandi won the 1958 election by 102.851 votes as candidate of the National Union Party. Francisco J. Orlich was candidate of National Liberation Party with 94.778 and Jorge Rossi had 23.910 votes with the Independent Party.

During his administration some political figures were allowed to return from exile, like the former president Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia. His followers were allowed to returned to the country and organize politically.

He ran for the presidency on two further occasions – 1970 and 1982 – but was defeated on both.