US Secretary of State to conclude trip to Costa Rica
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will conclude his official visit to Costa Rica today.
Blinken’s visit saw him meet with President Carlos Alvarado, along with senior leaders from the Central American Integration System (SICA), a regional organization consisting of seven Central American countries, plus the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
The current crisis at the US’s southern border is key to Blinken’s visit, as President Joe Biden comes under increasing pressure over the flow of undocumented migrants into the US. Recent reports claim that the US border patrol has released more than 60,000 migrants into the US under Biden, as the administration struggles to deal with record numbers.
As Costa Rica is not a prominent source of migrants, expect Blinken to establish a partnership-based approach to tackling the root causes of the crisis. The Biden administration has expressed hopes of deterring migrants through economic assistance and democracy promotion, announcing a four-year $4 billion plan. The prospect of strict accountability places pressure on leaders, specifically the Northern Triangle, to address corruption, poverty and violence before funds are released. Costa Rica can act as an example for its northern neighbors, as the administration seeks to establish a good governance domino effect.
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