On February 11, 2025, the Inter-American Dialogue hosted a private roundtable discussion with Costa Rican Foreign Minister Arnoldo André Tinoco. This gathering provided valuable insights into Minister André’s vision for pressing regional issues as well as Costa Rica’s relationship with the United States, offering participants a greater understanding of challenges and opportunities in the year ahead.
In her introductory remarks, Dr. Rebecca Bill Chavez outlined some of the issues the region currently faces, including the need to address citizen insecurity, migration flows, and relations with the U.S. administration. Chavez also drew attention to the upcoming election of the new secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), and the opportunity this presents for the region.
Minister André highlighted Costa Rica’s efforts to combat crime and violence with U.S. support, focusing on strengthening the police force’s investigative capabilities and technological resources. He emphasized the country’s close partnership with the U.S. on security initiatives and the shared commitment to fighting drug trafficking and organized crime. Additionally, André discussed Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent visit to Costa Rica and the meeting’s focus on deepening collaboration between the two nations.
Costa Rica’s dedication to cybersecurity and its recent regulatory enhancements were emphasized by the Minister. He also discussed collaborative efforts with the United States to promote secure 5G deployment, focusing on fostering open, interoperable, reliable, and secure digital infrastructure.
André went on to highlight the country’s ongoing efforts as both a host and transit country for significant waves of migration, stating that approximately 20 percent of the population is comprised of migrants who are well-integrated into the economy and society. Costa Rica’s economic development projections were also outlined, sharing plans to attract greater foreign direct investment and create employment opportunities, reinforcing the country’s commitment to sustainable growth.
The conversation concluded with a discussion regarding the relevance, challenges, and opportunities of the OAS as a hemispheric organization. Minister André highlighted the paramount importance of the organism as a safeguard of international law and highlighted its essential work on human rights. He discussed the timeliness of the upcoming election for the OAS Secretary General as a unique opportunity to revitalize the organization’s focus on critical issues and to increase collaboration among members at a time of heightened polarization.
This event was by invitation only.
