Costa Rican President Laura Fernandez has dismissed Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar after he attended a US-led regional security summit with United States President Donald Trump without notifying her. The government stated that this omission blocked Fernandez's own participation and caused significant strategic harm to the country’s interests.
Fernandez expressed that she should have attended the meeting of Trump’s anti-cartel alliance, known as the 'Shield of the Americas,' which aims to combat drug trafficking and organized crime in the region. Tovar attended the meeting without prior notice or informing the president, who is a conservative ally of Trump.
The summit included several right-wing Latin American presidents and took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Fifteen coalition members issued a joint statement declaring their intent to impose asset freezes and visa restrictions and seek criminal liability for members and supporters of 24 criminal organizations.
This gathering was part of the administration's ongoing efforts to unify the region behind a more aggressive approach to drug trafficking. Since returning to office last year, Trump has designated cartels as foreign 'terrorist' organizations and has ordered numerous strikes on boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific that US officials allege were transporting narcotics bound for the US.
Costa Rica, known for its tourism and stability in Latin America, is currently facing a rise in drug-related violence. Tovar did not comment on his dismissal but thanked Fernandez, who has been in power since last May, for including him in her cabinet. Indiana Trejos, Costa Rica’s current Minister of Foreign Trade, has been appointed as the acting foreign minister and will assume the role upon returning from her mission at the UNGA.