A Jewish former banker has been elected as vice-president of Costa Rica. Luis Liberman Ginsburg, 63, was running mate of Laura Chinchilla, whom voters in the Central American country elected on Sunday by a wide margin as their new president, and of Alfio Piva, who will also be a vice-president.
Liberman’s parents immigrated to Costa Rica from Poland before World War II. He is the grandson of a mohel (a circumciser). Lieberman told the Israeli news service ‘Ynet’ that his being Jewish had not affected his candidacy. He said Jews were very active in Costa Rican politics, and Jewish ministers had served in previous governments. Liberman said that Costa Rica under Chinchilla would be less active in the Middle East and its foreign policy would focus more on Latin America while maintaining good relations with Israel, which he described as "excellent".
Approximately 3,000 Jews live in Costa Rica.
