José Joaquín Trejos Fernández


José Joaquín Antonio Trejos Fernández was 35th President of Costa Rica from 1966 to 1970.
His parents were Juan Trejos Quirós and Emilia Fernández Aguilar. As a student he obtained degrees in mathematics and economics from the University of Costa Rica. During Mario Echandi's administration he was part of Costa Rica's delegation in the United Nations.
Trejos defeated Daniel Oduber in the election that secured him the presidency.
Trejos died on 10 February 2010.

Elected as president

Without any political experience he won the presidential election of 1966 as candidate of a "Unificación Nacional" coalition. His victory was a close win over Daniel Oduber Quirós, with less than 4000 votes in his favor. Voters elected 26 congressmen from his party and the opposition won 29 seats.
During the Trejos presidency, the aggregated tax was introduced and the government debts were virtually erased.