Draft:Carlos Valenciano Kamer

Carlos Alberto Valenciano Kamer is a Costa Rican lawyer, politician, and entrepreneur, He is known for his professional trajectory in corporate law, banking and financial advisory, notarial services, litigation, and judicial collection. He is the founder and president of Gestionadora de Créditos SJ S.A., a company specializing in credit recovery operating in nine Latin American countries, and president of Bufete Valenciano Kamer & Asociados.

In February 2024, he entered the world of beauty and culture by acquiring the Miss Universe Costa Rica franchise, committing to presenting a new perspective of the contest focused on female empowerment and projecting an integral image of women in Costa Rican society.

Kamer ventured into politics with the Libertarian Movement party for the 2022 elections in Costa Rica, proposing measures for economic reactivation and job creation, focusing on supporting SMEs, reducing social charges, and suspending 25 taxes. Although he withdrew his candidacy for health reasons, his brief foray highlighted an attempt to make a difference in the approach to post-pandemic economic recovery.

Education and early years
Valenciano Kamer began his academic career in veterinary agronomy at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), later pursuing studies in business administration and law in Costa Rica. He overcame an economic crisis in Costa Rica during the 1980s, starting from scratch and initially working in legal and penal areas.

Professional career
With over 25 years of experience, he has held significant roles in the public sector, including the deputy general directorship of the General Directorate for Refugee Assistance and Protection and executive positions at the National Securities Commission and the Supplementary Pensions Superintendence, both bodies attached to the Central Bank of Costa Rica.

In the private sector, he has provided legal advisory services to major financial entities and pioneered debt portfolio recovery in Latin America, establishing an innovative business model that has gained international recognition.

In addition to his businesses, Valenciano has had an extensive professional career in Costa Rica's public and private sectors:


 * 1982-1987: Deputy General Director of the General Directorate for Refugee Assistance and Protection.
 * 1994-1997: Member of the Board of Directors of the National Securities Commission.
 * 1997-1998: Vice President of the Supplementary Pensions Superintendency.

He has also been legal advisor to financial institutions such as Banco Promerica and St. Georges Bank.

Contributions and legacy
Valenciano Kamer has generated investments exceeding $4.8 billion, employing over 1,300 people through his companies. He has also contributed to the development of companies in the commercial and political sector using artificial intelligence and machine learning. He is the founder of the open television channel in Costa Rica, "OPA",  and author of the book "A life forged in values", reflecting his philosophy and personal and professional trajectory.

Miss Universe Costa Rica
In 2024, Valenciano acquired the franchise rights to the Miss Universe pageant in Costa Rica from the major broadcaster Teletica, who had held the rights for over 50 years. This surprise transfer of the national franchise represented a significant change, as Teletica had been responsible for selecting, training and sending representatives to Miss Universe since the 1970s.

Under Valenciano's ownership, the organization of the pageant is expected to undergo changes to align with his media company OPA's focus on public engagement and empowerment. The 2023 Costa Rican representative to Miss Universe is Lisbeth Valverde, a 28-year old special education teacher chosen in part for her charity work.

According to Valenciano, the Miss Universe organization approached him directly about acquiring the national franchise, seeking to revamp the style and organization of the pageant in Costa Rica. Despite his lack of experience running beauty contests, Valenciano was excited by the prospect of creating a more open competition where the public has greater input in choosing the winner.

The transfer of the franchise away from the established broadcaster Teletica to Valenciano's rising media group OPA suggests a change for the future of Miss Universe in Costa Rica, with a new vision focused on audience engagement and social impact.

Political career
In 2022, Valenciano Kamer ventured into Costa Rican politics with the Libertarian Movement party, proposing measures focused on economic reactivation and job creation. Despite withdrawing his presidential candidacy due to health reasons, his economic proposals and focus on supporting SMEs have marked a difference in the approach to post-pandemic economic recovery.

Personal life
Valenciano Kamer is married to Yessenia Ramírez Salas, with whom he has four children and three grandchildren. He is a lover of art and a collector of automobiles.