Costa Rica sets example to be followed in Latin America

Despite having just the 76th highest GDP in the world, Costa Rica has one of the best health, social, and economic outlooks in the whole of Latin America. Wedged between Nicaragua and Panama, the nation of 5 million inhabitants can boast not only the region’s lowest Covid-19 mortality rate of 0.8 percent and just two deaths per 1 million people, but it is also celebrating entry to the exclusive Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) — a membership that Brazil’s government has sought for years.

Accession was possible after the 37 members of the so-called “club of (mostly) rich countries” approved Costa Rica’s entrance, allowing the nation to become the fourth Latin American in the group and the first in all of Central America. OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría said Costa Rica’s entry was only possible “after years of intense work.” His compliments were followed by several global authorities. 

In Brasília, around 4,900 kilometers to the south-east, far-right President Jair Bolsonaro would be wise to take notes. Unlike his Costa Rican counterpart Carlos Alvorado, Mr. Bolsonaro would love to have both low Covid-19 numbers and a ticket into the OECD. 

With over 360,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and little more than a promise of OECD...