Costa Rica President for Developing Cooperation with Cuba

The President of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, arrived in Havana this December 13, leading a delegation of government officials and business leaders with the goal of strengthening relations with Cuba.

Solís indicated that during the official visit, he hopes to conclude the process of normalization of bilateral ties which began in the 1990s, and to develop cooperation in several areas.

Also among the objectives of the visit, Solís said, are promoting trade, expanding Costa Rican exports to Cuba, which this year reached more than 40 million dollars, adding, “We want this to continue.”

He commented that Cuba is one of the principal political actors in the Caribbean Basin, which is of special interest to Costa Rican regional foreign policy.

Solís concluded his comments saying that the issue of migration was also “on the agenda.”

More than five thousand Cubans are currently in Costa Rica waiting to continue their journey to the United States, where they will be received in accordance with that country’s “wet foot-dry foot policy” which promotes illegal migration.

President Solís was welcomed at Havana’s José Martí International Airport by Deputy Foreign Minister Rogelio Sierra and members of the Costa Rican diplomatic mission in Cuba.

The more than 30-person delegation included several ministers: Foreign Relations, Manuel González; Science and Technology, Marcelo Jenkins; Tourism, Mauricio Ventura; and Health, Fernando Llorca.

The two day stay will include visits to scientific research centers; a conference on relations between the two countries; and meetings with a number of Cuban leaders.