Alfredo Roberto de Jesús González Flores (15 June 1877 – 28 December 1962) was a Costa Rican lawyer and politician who served as the 20th President of Costa Rica from 1914 to 1917. He was unable to complete his presidential mandate following a coup d'état on 27 January 1917, led by Federico Tinoco, his secretary for War and the Navy.
Early life
González was born in Heredia, Costa Rica on 15 June 1877 as the son of Domingo González Pérez and Elemberta Flores Zamora. He graduated from the in 1896 and obtained his law degree in 1903.
Political years
He was called to the Presidency on 8 May 1914 by the Congress, as part of a pact between the two major political parties, the Republican Party and the Duranista party, after none of the three competing parties managed to secure an absolute majority. Political scientist James L. Busey called him a "compromise dark horse candidate".
thumb|left|Statue in homage to Don Alfredo, ex-president of Costa Rica (1914–1917)
During his administration, he founded the Normal School of Heredia (1915, of which he also was President of the Board), the National Electricity Cabinet and the International Bank of Costa Rica (now the National Bank of Costa Rica). He also created the Agricultural Credit Meetings, which led to a resurgence of economic, commercial and industrial activity in the country. He established the General Depots, the system of direct taxation and the Charity Tax Law. He governed during World War I, a time when he endured serious financial consequences.
See also
- Museo de Cultura Popular