Costa Rica: 100 years of democracy!

Abstract

Presidential elections had been held (the first part, since they were of the 2nd degree) between 3 and 5 November and the result favored the candidate of the opposition party, the Constitutional, José Joaquín Rodríguez Zeledón.
The followers of the official candidate -- Ascension Esquivel -- organized an uprising and a communication of his was intercepted by a police officer addicted to "rodriguismo," who reported its contents to Rafael Yglesias. Rafael Yglesias put himself into action, sent messengers to the communities and he himself rode on horseback and, by late afternoon, had surrounded the city of San José with approximately 7,000 men and had taken prisoners to the envoys from outside to support the uprising.
The president of the republic, Bernardo Soto, was satisfied with the facts and, to resolve the situation, called to power the third appointee to the presidency, Dr. Carlos Duran, who, in addition, was a supporter of Rodriguez. Soto is credited with going home saying, "I'd rather resign myself before staining myself with the blood of my citizens."