U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg will visit Costa Rica this week as part of an official regional tour, the U.S. Embassy announced.

Helberg’s agenda is expected to include bilateral meetings with President Laura Fernández-Delgado and Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar-Rivera.

According to the embassy, the meetings are intended to “advance American interests and strengthen partnerships on energy security and critical mineral supply chains in the region.”

Helberg’s visit to Costa Rica is part of an official trip scheduled for May 12-16 that also includes stops in Guyana and Panama.

The Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs leads the U.S. State Department’s efforts to advocate for U.S. foreign policy priorities and to develop and implement international policies related to economic growth, energy, agriculture, maritime affairs, the environment, and science and technology, according to the United States Department of State.

Helberg currently serves as the 22nd Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs. He previously served as an adviser to the Council of Economic Advisers at the White House.

According to the State Department, Helberg has worked with U.S. congressional leaders to raise awareness about national security risks posed by China.

From 2022 to 2024, he served as a commissioner on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, where he advocated for tariffs and greater industrial independence from China.

Helberg is one of several senior U.S. officials to visit Costa Rica recently. Last week, Christopher Landau, deputy secretary of state for the U.S. Department of State, and Kristi Noem, special envoy to the Shield of the Americas, visited Costa Rica along with other senior U.S. officials to attend the inauguration of President Laura Fernández.

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Which other senior U.S. official would you like to see visit Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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