Rolando Araya Monge (born 20 August 1947) is a

Costa Rica Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a country in Central America. It borders Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, as well as Maritime bo ...

politician A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles ...

. He is a nephew of former president

Luis Alberto Monge Luis Alberto Monge Álvarez (December 29, 1925 – November 29, 2016) was the President of Costa Rica from 1982 to 1986. He also served as Costa Rica's first Ambassador to Israel from 1963 until 1966. Biography Early and personal life Monge ...

Biography

Rolando Araya went to school in Palmares, the place he was born, and at the Lincoln Park High School, Michigan. In 1970 after his university career at the University of Costa Rica, he graduated as an engineer. Just four years later he was elected as congressman in Alajuela. Another year passing by, he became President of the Juventud Liberacionista, the youth organization of the PLN, one of the major parties in Costa Rica. In 1978 he also became Vice-President of the supranational youth organization

International Union of Socialist Youth The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) is an international youth labour organization, whose activities include publications, supporting member organizations and organization of meetings. Originally named the Socialist Youth Internatio ...

. Only after another four years, Araya entered the cabinet of his uncle President Luis Alberto Monge as minister for public works and transportation. Two years later he left the government for becoming general secretary of his party National Liberation Party (PLN). In 1993 he decided to run for presidency, but failed in his party primaries. In 1995 he finally was elected as president of the PLN:, a year later Rolando Araya served as Vice-President for the Socialist International. In 2002 Araya run for the presidency again, this time he succeeded in the presidential primary, but he lost the general election. Rolando Araya was one of the founders of the movement Frente Socialdemócrata Costarricense.

References

1947 births Living people People from Palmares (canton) National Liberation Party (Costa Rica) politicians Members of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica University of Costa Rica alumni {{CostaRica-politician-stub