On Thursday, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma and President Rodrigo Chaves-Robles met at Casa Presidencial, the government headquarters, to address priorities and cooperation on regional and global issues.

According to the U.S. Embassy statement, Deputy Verma and President Chaves discussed the outcomes of the inaugural U.S.-Costa Rica High-Level Strategic Dialogue, which identified ways to expand both countries' partnership on matters such as economy, security and humane migration.

Also, Deputy Verma met Arnoldo Andre-Tinoco, the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

At the meeting, Secretary Verma reaffirmed the United States’ steadfast support for Costa Rica as it contends with threats linked to narcotrafficking and other organized crime. 

He also discussed the ongoing U.S. support for Costa Rica’s efforts to attract investments in the semiconductor industry, including in connection with funds derived from the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund, created by the CHIPS Act of 2022.

Together, Deputy Verma and Minister Andre announced some new initiatives, including:

• Plans to help both countries identify public security threats by sharing real-time biometric information and intention to develop a framework under which the United States could provide Costa Rica with additional assistance.

 

• Plans to jointly organize a regional conference on protecting 5G networks to be held in Costa Rica in April 2024.

 

• The extension of the Safe Mobility initiative through December 2024, to facilitate access to safe and lawful pathways to the United States and other countries for eligible Nicaraguans and Venezuelans residing in Costa Rica.

• A public-private partnership with Amazon to fund a new Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program in Liberia, Guanacaste and provide support for American Spaces to increase STEM learning and skills training.
  

AWE is a U.S. Department of State program that has provided training to over 600 women from economically disadvantaged communities in Costa Rica to establish or grow small businesses since 2019 and new assistance for small business development in vulnerable communities and efforts to increase female labor force participation. 

The leaders agreed on the value of the new High-Level Strategic Dialogue mechanism for coordination and expressed their intention to hold the next meeting in Washington in 2024, added the embassy.

According to the U.S. Department of State, Richard Verma in his role acts as the Chief Operating Officer of the Department and leads the Department’s efforts on modernization, foreign assistance, and a wide range of workforce and strategic issues. 

In November, President Chaves attended the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity Leaders' Summit, which took place in Washington DC., U.S.A.  At the summit Chaves spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden, to address issues such as strengthening critical supply chains, clean energy, semiconductors and medical supplies in the region.

Deputy Verma is one of many top U.S. executives visiting Costa Rica. Recently, U.S. Major General Miguel Aguilar, the Adjutant General for the State of New Mexico, visited Costa Rica as part of his 'Sister States' program duties. As Adjutant General, Aguilar serves as senior military advisor to the Governor and is responsible for providing the State of New Mexico and the United States with a ready force of citizen Airmen and Soldiers. 

 

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