Alfredo González Flores

Who was Alfredo González Flores?

Alfredo González Flores served as 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.

González was born in Heredia, Costa Rica on 15 July 1877 as the son of Domingo González Pérez and Elemberta Flores. He graduated from the Costa Rica Grammar School in 1896 and obtained his law degree in 1903.

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.

During his administration, he founded the Normal School of Heredia, the National Electricity Cabinet and the International 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.