René Castro
Encyclopedia
René Castro Salazar is a Costa Rica
n politician.
On March 2, 2010 he was appointed by Laura Chinchilla, by then president-elect of Costa Rica, as minister of foreign affairs. He served in that position from inauguration day (May 8, 2010), replacing Bruno Stagno Ugarte
. On August 1st, 2011 René Castro was replaced in this position by Enrique Castillo
, former ambassador to the Organization of American States
. Castro will continue serving as minister of the environment and energy.
, with an emphasis on Natural Resource Economics and Sustainable Development. He also holds a degree in civil engineering
from the University of Costa Rica
.
informed to the media that Castro will serve in her cabinet from May 8, 2010 (inauguration day), as minister of foreign affairs. Castro remained in that position until August 1st. 2011. He was replaced by Enrique Castillo, who was the former ambassador of Costa Rica to the Organization of American States
.
Castro's role as minister of foreign affairs was surrounded by controversy. To begin with, critics contend that Costa Rican foreign policy under Castro oversight was very low-profile, unlike that of his predecessor. The document containing the blueprint for Laura Chinchilla's administration, for instance, devoted just three pages to foreign affairs issues. During his tenure, Castro was also confronted by a legal action filed by employees of the ministry of foreign affairs, who accused him before the Procuraduría de Etica of appointing 27 diplomats who where connected with his party, but lacked the qualifications for the postsCancillería: de la tormenta de Castro a la calma de Castillo (Spanish). Moreover, Castro was confronted by the crisis of Isla Calero
, which both Nicaragua and Costa Rica claim to be part of their territory. Castro policy towards Nicaragua on this issue has been criticized as an appeasement approach, that did not work and encouraged Nicaragua
's president Daniel Ortega
to pursue an aggresive policy against Costa Rica Excanciller BrunoStagno se lanza contra René Castro (Spanish).
During his tenure at the ministry of foreign affairs, Castro started negotiations for a concordat
with the Vatican
. This action has been strongly criticized by observers. Those critics contend that the concordat with the Vatican is far from being a priority for Costa Rica. The previous concordat
, which was abrogated during the nineteenth century, was signed in 1852. Thus, for the most part of its republican history, Costa Rica had not had a need of such a treaty with the Vatican. Critics pointed out that granting favorable treatments to the Catholic Church is inherently unfair and anidemocratic, given the large (albeit minoritary) presence of other Christian denominations in Costa Rica ¿Queremos un concordato nuevo con Vaticano? (In Spanish). Other observers have pointed out that the committee representing Costa Rica in the negotiations with the Vatican included Msgr. Barrantes, a Costa Rican bishop. It has been argued that Msgr. Barrantes' allegiance will lean towards the Vatican and not the Costa Rican government, raising serious doubts on Castro's leadership concerning Costa Rica's foreign affairs Rodolfo Cerdas Opinion/ojo-crítico (Spanish).
City Council. He has also served as Secretary General of the Partido Liberación Nacional.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
n politician.
On March 2, 2010 he was appointed by Laura Chinchilla, by then president-elect of Costa Rica, as minister of foreign affairs. He served in that position from inauguration day (May 8, 2010), replacing Bruno Stagno Ugarte
Bruno Stagno Ugarte
Bruno Stagno Ugarte was the Minister of Foreign Relations of Costa Rica from 2006 to 2010 and was the president of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court from 2005 to 2008....
. On August 1st, 2011 René Castro was replaced in this position by Enrique Castillo
Enrique Castillo
Enrique Castillo is an American actor, writer, director, and producer.- Life and career :Castillo was a founding member of The Latino Theater Company. He co-wrote the company’s plays Stone Wedding and August 29...
, former ambassador to the Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
. Castro will continue serving as minister of the environment and energy.
Education
Castro holds a Master's and Ph. D. degrees from Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, with an emphasis on Natural Resource Economics and Sustainable Development. He also holds a degree in civil engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
from the University of Costa Rica
University of Costa Rica
The University of Costa Rica is a public university in the Republic of Costa Rica, in Central America. Its main campus, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, is located in San Pedro, in the province of San José. It is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious institution of higher learning in...
.
Minister of foreign affairs (May 8, 2010-August 1st, 2011)
On March 2, 2010 Laura Chinchilla, president-elect of Costa RicaCosta Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
informed to the media that Castro will serve in her cabinet from May 8, 2010 (inauguration day), as minister of foreign affairs. Castro remained in that position until August 1st. 2011. He was replaced by Enrique Castillo, who was the former ambassador of Costa Rica to the Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
.
Castro's role as minister of foreign affairs was surrounded by controversy. To begin with, critics contend that Costa Rican foreign policy under Castro oversight was very low-profile, unlike that of his predecessor. The document containing the blueprint for Laura Chinchilla's administration, for instance, devoted just three pages to foreign affairs issues. During his tenure, Castro was also confronted by a legal action filed by employees of the ministry of foreign affairs, who accused him before the Procuraduría de Etica of appointing 27 diplomats who where connected with his party, but lacked the qualifications for the postsCancillería: de la tormenta de Castro a la calma de Castillo (Spanish). Moreover, Castro was confronted by the crisis of Isla Calero
Isla Calero
Isla Calero is a Costa Rican island, the biggest island in Costa Rica, and the biggest along the San Juan River, which marks the border between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The island lies between the San Juan , the Río Colorado of Costa Rica , and the Caribbean Sea...
, which both Nicaragua and Costa Rica claim to be part of their territory. Castro policy towards Nicaragua on this issue has been criticized as an appeasement approach, that did not work and encouraged Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
's president Daniel Ortega
Daniel Ortega
José Daniel Ortega Saavedra is a Nicaraguan politician and revolutionary, currently serving as the 83rd President of Nicaragua, a position that he has held since 2007. He previously served as the 79th President, between 1985 and 1990, and for much of his life, has been a leader in the Sandinista...
to pursue an aggresive policy against Costa Rica Excanciller BrunoStagno se lanza contra René Castro (Spanish).
During his tenure at the ministry of foreign affairs, Castro started negotiations for a concordat
Concordat
A concordat is an agreement between the Holy See of the Catholic Church and a sovereign state on religious matters. Legally, they are international treaties. They often includes both recognition and privileges for the Catholic Church in a particular country...
with the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
. This action has been strongly criticized by observers. Those critics contend that the concordat with the Vatican is far from being a priority for Costa Rica. The previous concordat
Concordat
A concordat is an agreement between the Holy See of the Catholic Church and a sovereign state on religious matters. Legally, they are international treaties. They often includes both recognition and privileges for the Catholic Church in a particular country...
, which was abrogated during the nineteenth century, was signed in 1852. Thus, for the most part of its republican history, Costa Rica had not had a need of such a treaty with the Vatican. Critics pointed out that granting favorable treatments to the Catholic Church is inherently unfair and anidemocratic, given the large (albeit minoritary) presence of other Christian denominations in Costa Rica ¿Queremos un concordato nuevo con Vaticano? (In Spanish). Other observers have pointed out that the committee representing Costa Rica in the negotiations with the Vatican included Msgr. Barrantes, a Costa Rican bishop. It has been argued that Msgr. Barrantes' allegiance will lean towards the Vatican and not the Costa Rican government, raising serious doubts on Castro's leadership concerning Costa Rica's foreign affairs Rodolfo Cerdas Opinion/ojo-crítico (Spanish).
Minister of Environment and Energy (August 1st 2011, and 1994-1998)
On August 1st, 2011, Castro was appointed minister of environment and energy,a position he already hold during the during the administration of José María Figueres Olsen (1994–1998). During his first day in office, Dr. Castro issued a moratorium of oil exploration during the next three years Costa Rica Decrees Moratorium On Oil Exploration. This policy si likely to arise controversy. Although will be probably welcomed by environmentalists, other observers have pointed out to the fact that Costa Rica's economic growth will be enhanced by oil production, which it is now nill.Other political posts
Castro has also been deputy-minister of Gobernación and Policía and President of the San JoséSan José, Costa Rica
San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.Founded in 1738 by order of Cabildo de León, San...
City Council. He has also served as Secretary General of the Partido Liberación Nacional.
Books
- "Evaluación de Proyectos Ambientales"
- "Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental y Sostenibilidad del Desarrollo"
- "Valoración de los servicios ambientales del Bosque: El Caso de Cambio Climático"