UN General Assembly
1960

140. Costa Rica became known to the world when it was discovered by Christopher Columbus on behalf of the Catholic Monarchs. From that time until we became independent, in 1821, we were a colony of Spain. I think it only fair to refer to certain violent words and offensive ideas which have been indulged in here in connexion with Spanish colonialism in America. Every age has its own political features. No one can claim, for example, that at the time of Queen Isabella the Catholic the democratic system was established in the newly discovered lands, since that system was not practised in Spain at that time. We should remember that the Spanish conquest as such was one thing and the colonial administration another. The "conquistador" was a man of war, and war, unfortunately, has always stirred up primitive instincts in men and made them as fierce as beasts. The Spanish administration was distinguished by the many laws it made to protect the indigenous inhabitants; every complaint was heard by a regional or metropolitan court.