President Laura Fernández-Delgado met with King Felipe VI of Spain on Tuesday at the Royal Palace of Madrid during her official visit to Spain, the Presidential House announced.

According to the authorities, the meeting was part of Fernández’s agenda ahead of the 30th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled for Nov. 4-5 in Spain.

Fernández and the King, whose full name is Felipe Juan Pablo Alfonso de Todos los Santos de Borbón y Grecia, discussed issues of mutual interest to both countries, including the effects of climate change, ocean protection measures and potential cybersecurity strategies.


The Presidential House has not yet released details of any agreements reached during the meeting between President Fernández and King Felipe VI.

King Felipe visited Costa Rica in May 2026 as a special guest at Fernández’s inauguration ceremony, held at the National Stadium in San José.

Fernández will attend the summit, which marks the 30th edition of the gathering and the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Ibero-American Community. The organization includes 22 member countries: Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking nations in Latin America, along with Spain, Portugal and Andorra.

The summit’s theme is “Ibero-America. Together We Build Our Community. Together We Project It Into the Future and Into the World.” Discussions will focus on sustainable growth, digitalization, energy security, educational and cultural cooperation, and global geopolitical coordination.

Last week, Fernández traveled to the Vatican to meet with Pope Leo XIV. During the meeting, she invited the Pope to visit Costa Rica in 2027 and participate in special events marking the 203rd anniversary of the declaration of Our Lady of the Angels (Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles), affectionately known as “La Negrita,” the country’s patron saint.

Fernández is traveling with her husband, Jeffrey Umaña-Avendaño; Communications Minister Arnold Zamora; and Ana Elena Pinto, of the Ministry of International Affairs.

Fernández and her delegation are expected to return to Costa Rica on Friday, Nov. 6.

During the president’s absence, First Vice President Francisco Gamboa-Soto will be in charge of the government.

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