The former presidents of Costa Rica gave statements against the xenophobic protests in the country.
Perverse interests may be trying to destroy our harmony and incite hatred and xenophobia. Do not give into temptation,”
says a letter signed by the Óscar Arias, Rafael Ángel Calderón, José María Figueres, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, Abel Pacheco, Laura Chinchilla, and Luis Guillermo Solís.
They pointed out that the Costa Rican people, from their origins, have been the result of migration, first within the same American continent and then from Europe, Africa, and Asia, for various historical reasons.
Hate and xenophobia degrade people and have led many nations to war, causing death and destruction. (…) The generous, kind and amiable spirit of Costa Ricans is antagonistic with those feelings,”
added the former presidents, while they finalized their message with a call for peace.
The Institute of Social Research of the University of Costa Rica also made an emphatic call to reflection and to the highest human values expressed in dialogue and solidarity.
We repudiate incitements to hatred, provocations and hostile actions against people who for years have lived and contributed to our country with their work, as well as against those people who have recently entered Costa Rica seeking refuge from the persecution they are subjected to in their country of origin,”
said the entity in a statement.
They also drew attention to the use of media and social networks to manipulate news and disseminate fake news to generate attacks against Nicaraguan citizens.