Blinken arrives in Costa Rica to address the migration issue in Central America

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, arrived this Tuesday, June 1, in Costa Rica to discuss with Central American countries the migration issue, human rights, and cooperation issues in other areas.

Blinken will meet this day with the President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, with the Foreign Minister, Rodolfo Solano, and then will hold a meeting with foreign ministers of other Central American countries and Mexico, according to the official agenda.

This is Blinken’s first visit to a Latin American country, which the Costa Rican government has celebrated as a sign of the good state of bilateral relations.

The U.S. State Department issued a statement stressing that common challenges require joint solutions. The region and the United States must work together to promote democracy and good governance, respect for human rights, security, prosperity, and the environment.

the statement adds that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has announced a multi-year cooperation package for Central America of US$4 billion to address the causes of irregular migration, and that there is another US$310 million initiative for food security and assistance to vulnerable communities.

Regarding Costa Rica, the State Department underscored the historic bilateral ties and that it is one of the strongest and most trusted voices on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law and an important partner in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking.

The U.S. government also highlighted the support Costa Rica has given to thousands of Nicaraguan and Venezuelan migrants in recent years who have left their countries due to the social, political, and economical crises they are experiencing.

In addition, the State Department highlighted the commercial exchange that the United States has with Costa Rica, the presence of more than 200 US companies in the Central American country, and the fact that some 120,000 US citizens live in Costa Rica, including a significant number of retirees.