U.S. Congress members and senior officials visit Costa Rica

You Might
Also Like

Published on Thursday, March 20, 2025

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

A delegation of U.S. Congress members and senior government officials is visiting Costa Rica this week for a diplomatic mission aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, security, and technology, according to the U.S. Embassy.

The delegation includes Republican Representatives Gary Palmer (Alabama), Randy Weber (Texas), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa), and Tom Kean (New Jersey), along with Democratic Representative Scott Peters (California).

They are joined by senior U.S. government officials Mary Martin and Tuley Wright, both representatives of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The delegation’s first meeting took place at the Presidential House in San José, where they met with President Rodrigo Chaves-Robles. Discussions focused on increasing U.S. business investment in Costa Rica, diversifying trade, and ensuring a competitive and resilient energy sector, according to a statement from the Presidential House.

The U.S. officials also held talks with Rodrigo Arias Sánchez, president of Costa Rica’s Congress, and several legislators. Key topics included investment opportunities, energy sector development, and strengthening bilateral cooperation, the Congress stated.

Additionally, the delegation met with leaders of the Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) to discuss trade, security, and economic challenges.

At the meeting, AmCham highlighted several critical issues, including security concerns related to rising homicide rates and drug trafficking, incentives for companies operating in Costa Rica’s free trade zones, the impact of the Costa Rican colón’s appreciation on investment, and the development of 5G technology with an emphasis on securing reliable providers.

U.S. Embassy representatives, including Chargé d’Affaires Mike Flores and Political and Economic Counselor Luis Méndez, participated in the meetings. Costa Rica’s U.S. Ambassador, Catalina Crespo, was also present.

Recent U.S.-Costa Rica cooperation efforts include a Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE) conducted by the Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-B) in February in Cartago Province.

In a separate humanitarian initiative, last month Costa Rica agreed to host 200 migrants deported from the United States.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Melinda Hildebrand, a Houston-based businesswoman and philanthropist, as the next U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica. However, no information has been released regarding hearings on her nomination before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

---------------
What steps should Costa Rica take to attract more U.S. business investment? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com