Mora Valverde, Manuel

Born Aug. 27, 1909, in San Jose. Leader of the communist movement in Costa Rica.

The son of a worker and by profession a lawyer, Mora Valverde led democratic youth and student movements in Costa Rica during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Since 1931 he has been a member of the Communist Party of Costa Rica, reorganized in 1943 as the Popular Vanguard Party. From 1934 to 1948 he was a deputy in the Legislative Assembly.

Mora Valverde was one of the leaders of the armed struggle of democratic forces in the country during the 1948 civil war. After the victory of reaction he was exiled to Mexico, returning to Costa Rica in 1950. From 1949 to 1957 he was chairman of the Popular Vanguard Party and from 1962 to 1966 was first secretary of the Central Committee; from 1948 to 1949, from 1957 to 1962, and since 1966 he has been general secretary of the Central Committee. From 1970 to 1974 he once again served as a deputy in the Legislative Assembly. His political activities have caused his arrest on numerous occasions.