| 1990 |
The 1990-1994 Legislative Assembly includes one Black member, as did the last. The cabinet also included a Black member. Agrarian reforms are benefiting Blacks in Limon, but their situation is still reportedly worse than that of their Hispanic counterparts. White and mestizo squatters are taking advantage of the reform to buy up large tracts of land at the expense of Blacks and indigenous people. Unemployment and poverty are far worse among Blacks than among the rest of the population. |
| Feb 1990 |
Rafael Angel Calderon, candidate of the Christian Unity Party, was elected President. This marked the first loss by the dominant National Liberation Party in 30 years. The National Liberation Party is favored by Costa Rican Blacks. |
| Apr 1991 |
The Costa Rican Atlantic coastline suffered severe damage from an intense earthquake. The 7.4 magnitude quake killed 62 people in Limon province alone, left 60,000 people without water, and many more without shelter. The earth tilted and dried up much of the canals which many Costa Rican villages depend on for transportation and supplies. The ports necessary to export the bananas, Costa Rica's main export, were damaged but were quickly repaired. Total damages are estimated in the millions of dollars. The province of Limon is 30% Black. |
| May 1991 |
The docks and export facilities in Limon have been repaired and banana exports have risen nearly back to pre-earthquake levels. However, water mains and secondary roads remain unrepaired. Diarrhea and dysentery are now becoming a problem among the children and community leaders are raising their voices accusing the government of caring only about the banana plantations and exports. |
| Feb 1992 |
Human rights groups denounce the alleged murders of two people by Costa Rican police during an anti-drug operation in the province of Limon. Several other murders have occurred in recent years which also concerned human rights groups. Costa Rican authorities are investigating the murders. |
| Feb 1994 |
The National Liberation Party candidate, Jose Maria Figueres, was elected President, succeeding Rafael Caldron of the Christian Unity Party. The President-elect is the son of Jose Figueres, a national figure head. |
| Aug 1994 |
Amnesty International accuses Costa Rican police of the operating a death squad in the country. The alleged abuses which led to the charges include the death of a gang leader, William Malcolm Lee (whose body was found in a ditch with signs of torture; and Ciro Monge, a rancher with alleged drug ties who last week was found dead with his hands cut off). All of the abuses occurred in Limon Province. The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is investigating the crimes. The HRC claims that 22 murders have been committed by the police in recent years. Later, 4 police officers are arrested and charged with the murders. |
| 1995 |
Sporadic strikes and protests occur throughout Limon as well as the rest of Costa Rica. The strikes and protests are organized around labor and pension disputes with private corporations and the government. |
