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ImpactChannelCR

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Costa Rican President Laura Fernández fired Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar on Thursday with immediate effect, saying his failure to inform her about the high-level Shield of the Americas meeting in New York earlier this week caused significant strategic damage to the country.

Noticias Monumental

Costa Rican President Laura Fernández fired Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar on Thursday with immediate effect, saying his failure to inform her about the high-level Shield of the Americas meeting in New York earlier this week caused significant strategic damage to the country.

U.S. President Donald Trump and several Trump-algined Latin American heads of state attended the anti-cartel coalition gathering on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2026/shield-of-the-americas-coalition-impose-sanctions-on-criminal-groups">signed a joint statement imposing sanctions on 24 criminal groups</a>. Tovar represented Costa Rica in the meeting.

U.S. President Donald Trump and several Trump-algined Latin American heads of state attended the anti-cartel coalition gathering on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday and signed a joint statement imposing sanctions on 24 criminal groups. Tovar represented Costa Rica in the meeting.

While the Shield of the Americas session was taking place, Fernández was meeting with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella in Barranquilla as she had decided against traveling to the General Assembly in New York.

While the Shield of the Americas session was taking place, Fernández was meeting with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella in Barranquilla as she had decided against traveling to the General Assembly in New York.

She apologized for her absence to U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica Melinda Hildebrand later on Thursday as they met at an anti-drug equipment donation ceremony in Golfito, saying the U.S. invitation hadn't been properly forwarded to her.

She apologized for her absence to U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica Melinda Hildebrand later on Thursday as they met at an anti-drug equipment donation ceremony in Golfito, saying the U.S. invitation hadn't been properly forwarded to her.

Tovar said in a statement posted on social media that the job had been the greatest honor in his life, thanking Fernández and not disputing his removal. Last week, the Miami Herald reported Tovar saying that a high-level coalition gathering would be held in New York on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

Manuel Tovar

Tovar said in a statement posted on social media that the job had been the greatest honor in his life, thanking Fernández and not disputing his removal. Last week, the Miami Herald reported Tovar saying that a high-level coalition gathering would be held in New York on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

Tovar had served four years under former President Rodrigo Chaves as foreign trade minister and was appointed as foreign minister when Fernández took office in May. His successor in the foreign trade ministry, Indiana Trejos Gallo, has been named as acting foreign minister.

Tovar had served four years under former President Rodrigo Chaves as foreign trade minister and was appointed as foreign minister when Fernández took office in May. His successor in the foreign trade ministry, Indiana Trejos Gallo, has been named as acting foreign minister.

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Diario Extra #

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.

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.

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.

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 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

Americas

Central America

Costa Rica

Politics

Firing Tovar over a summit that had been public knowledge for weeks is just scapegoating. The real story is that Fernández dodged the U.N. General Assembly and the Shield of the Americas meeting and is now hunting for someone to blame when the diplomatic fallout landed. Pinning a self-inflicted mess on a competent diplomat is cowardice.

Firing Tovar over a summit that had been public knowledge for weeks is just scapegoating. The real story is that Fernández dodged the U.N. General Assembly and the Shield of the Americas meeting and is now hunting for someone to blame when the diplomatic fallout landed. Pinning a self-inflicted mess on a competent diplomat is cowardice.

Tovar was one of the best foreign ministers in Costa Rica's history. Yet 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 him stings, but a foreign policy run on freelancing would cost far more.

Tovar was one of the best foreign ministers in Costa Rica's history. Yet 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 him stings, but a foreign policy run on freelancing would cost far more.

Costa Rica Fires Foreign Minister for Not Informing President About Shield of the Americas Meeting

Costa Rica Fires Foreign Minister Overfor FailureNot toInforming Inform President ofAbout Shield of the Americas Meeting

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Costa Rica Fires Foreign Minister for Not Informing President About Shield of the Americas Meeting

Costa Rica Fires Foreign Minister Overfor FailureNot toInforming Inform President ofAbout Shield of the Americas Meeting

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