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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-aligned 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-aligned 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.

Al Jazeera #

The Tico Times #

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El Financiero (Costa Rica) #

CR Hoy #

teleSUR English #

The Miami Herald #

El País #

La República (Costa Rica) #

Nación #

Diario Extra #

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.

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.

Juan Carlos Hidalgo

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.

Impact Channel

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

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

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