Al Jazeera

Costa Rica minister fired for unapproved meeting with Trump in US

The Tico Times

Costa Rica Fires Foreign Minister After Trump Meeting Dispute

Reuters

Costa Rican Foreign Minister dismissed after attending a Trump security meeting

jchidalgo

El Financiero (Costa Rica)

Laura Fernndez despide a canciller Manuel Tovar por asistir a reunin con Donald Trump sin avisarle

CR Hoy

Presidenta destituye a Manuel Tovar por no avisarle de reunión con Donald Trump

teleSUR English

Costa Rican President Dismisses FM for Attending the Shield of the Americas

The Miami Herald

Costa Rica affirms break of diplomatic relations with Cuba, denies U.S. pressure

El País

La presidenta de Costa Rica destituye al canciller por no avisarla de una reunión del Escudo de las Américas

La República (Costa Rica)

Laura Fernndez ofrece disculpa pblica a embajadora de EE.UU. por no ir a reunin de Escudo de las Amricas

Nación

Laura Fernndez sobre despido del canciller Manuel Tovar: Hay errores que no se pueden pasar por alto

Diario Extra

Presidenta no fue a reunin con Trump: Esto dijo a embajadora

MCE-DIC-CP-0014-2026

ImpactChannelCR

Manuel_Tovar_R

Costa Rican President Laura Fernandez dismissed Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar on Thursday with immediate effect, saying he attended a high-level security meeting with US President Donald Trump without notifying her beforehand.

Costa Rican President Laura Fernandez dismissed Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar on Thursday with immediate effect, saying he attended a high-level security meeting with US President Donald Trump without notifying her beforehand.

The Sept. 22 session of the Shield of the Americas was convened by the US secretary of state in New York alongside the UN General Assembly. The US-led coalition, launched earlier in 2026, targets drug trafficking and organized crime. Fifteen coalition members issued a joint statement pledging asset freezes, visa restrictions and criminal liability for members and supporters of 24 criminal organizations, according to Al Jazeera. Participants also discussed illegal mining.

Noticias Monumental

The Sept. 22 session of the Shield of the Americas was convened by the US secretary of state in New York alongside the UN General Assembly. The US-led coalition, launched earlier in 2026, targets drug trafficking and organized crime. Fifteen coalition members issued a joint statement pledging asset freezes, visa restrictions and criminal liability for members and supporters of 24 criminal organizations, according to Al Jazeera. Participants also discussed illegal mining.

Fernandez had already decided against traveling to the General Assembly and was instead in Barranquilla, Colombia, meeting President Abelardo De La Espriella on bilateral security cooperation while the Trump-led session took place.

Fernandez had already decided against traveling to the General Assembly and was instead in Barranquilla, Colombia, meeting President Abelardo De La Espriella on bilateral security cooperation while the Trump-led session took place.

At an event in Golfito where the US handed over two boats and three vehicles for anti-drug operations, Fernandez apologized to US Ambassador Melinda Hildebrand for her absence, saying the invitation was not properly relayed to her.

At an event in Golfito where the US handed over two boats and three vehicles for anti-drug operations, Fernandez apologized to US Ambassador Melinda Hildebrand for her absence, saying the invitation was not properly relayed to her.

Tovar, who met Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington the previous week, had said the Shield of the Americas gathering would address Cuba and Nicaragua. He did not dispute his removal, citing the importance of the UN high-level week.

Manuel Tovar

Tovar, who met Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington the previous week, had said the Shield of the Americas gathering would address Cuba and Nicaragua. He did not dispute his removal, citing the importance of the UN high-level week.

Foreign Trade Minister Indiana Trejos Gallo was named acting foreign minister and will assume the post after returning from her UN General Assembly mission. Tovar had held the job since May 8 and previously served under former President Rodrigo Chaves.

Foreign Trade Minister Indiana Trejos Gallo was named acting foreign minister and will assume the post after returning from her UN General Assembly mission. Tovar had held the job since May 8 and previously served under former President Rodrigo Chaves.

Al Jazeera #

The Tico Times #

Reuters #

El Financiero (Costa Rica) #

CR Hoy #

teleSUR English #

The Miami Herald #

El País #

La República (Costa Rica) #

Nación #

Diario Extra #

Firing the foreign minister over a summit that had been public knowledge for weeks is just scapegoating. The real story is a president dodging the U.N. General Assembly and then hunting for someone to blame when the diplomatic fallout landed. Pinning a self-inflicted mess on a competent diplomat is cowardice, not leadership.

Firing the foreign minister over a summit that had been public knowledge for weeks is just scapegoating. The real story is a president dodging the U.N. General Assembly and then hunting for someone to blame when the diplomatic fallout landed. Pinning a self-inflicted mess on a competent diplomat is cowardice, not leadership.

Juan Carlos Hidalgo

Talent and a strong résumé don't excuse leaving the government's own leadership out of the loop on a major regional security meeting. Cabinet discipline means consequences apply to everyone, no matter how respected. Losing a capable minister stings, but a foreign policy run on freelancing would cost far more.

Talent and a strong résumé don't excuse leaving the government's own leadership out of the loop on a major regional security meeting. Cabinet discipline means consequences apply to everyone, no matter how respected. Losing a capable minister stings, but a foreign policy run on freelancing would cost far more.

Impact Channel

Costa Rica Fires Foreign Minister Over Trump Meeting

Costa Rica Fires Foreign Minister Over Trump Meeting

Americas

Central America

Costa Rica

Politics

Costa Rica Fires Foreign Minister Over Failure to Inform President of Shield of the Americas Meeting

Costa Rica Fires Foreign Minister Over Failure to Inform President of Shield of the Americas Meeting

Costa Rica Fires Foreign Minister Over Failure to Inform President of Shield of the Americas Meeting

Costa Rica Fires Foreign Minister Over TrumpFailure to Inform President of Shield of the Americas Meeting

The Spin

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Costa Rica Fires Foreign Minister Over Failure to Inform President of Shield of the Americas Meeting

Costa Rica Fires Foreign Minister Over TrumpFailure to Inform President of Shield of the Americas Meeting

The Spin

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters