Patroncito
is a retired banana worker of Nicaraguan origin although he has lived
in Costa Rica since late childhood. He worked on banana plantations
all over Costa Rica and participated in the strikes of the 1940s alongside
Carlos Luis Fallas, author of the definitive banana novel "Mamita
Yunai" about the United Fruit Company (now Chiquita).
When
I met Patroncito he was 68 years old and not long retired. He was unwell
at the time and I know that since then he has had spells of bad health.
He is a great storyteller with a good sense of humour and still loves
to sing songs about his native Nicaragua.
Gilberth
Bermúdez, general secretary of the Trade Union SITRAP regards
him an important connection with Costa Rica's trade union history and
was trying to raise funds to build a house for Patroncito. When Gilberth
last visited Britain I was able to give him one of the portraits of
Patroncito so that he could take it back to Siquirres to give to him.
