The Republic of Costa Rica and the United States of Mexico enjoy diplomatic relations since 1838, before this Costa Rica briefly belonged to the First Mexican Empire in 1823, albeit in an almost symbolic way, since there was little political influence of Mexico over the country due to the distances and communication difficulties of the time, and after the dissolution of the Empire, Costa Rica was part of the Federal Republic of Central America between 1823 and 1838 when under the administration of Braulio Carrillo it becomes independent from the rest of Central America. From that moment on, he established diplomatic relations from State to State with Mexico.
During the Civil War of 1948, Mexico helped mediate between the parties to achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict, which became known as the Pact of the Embassy of Mexico. During the wars in Central America that bloodied Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador during the 1970s and 1980s, Costa Rica and Mexico were among the countries most affected by the migration of refugees escaping from the conflicts in their countries, for which the Contadora Group was formed. Mexico vigorously supported the initiatives of Costa Rica to achieve peace in Central America that was signed with the Esquipulas Agreement.
Currently, Mexico is one of Costa Rica’s largest trading partners, being its third largest. Both countries have signed a free trade agreement. Cultural exchange is also important as prominent Costa Rican artists have settled in Mexico like the singer Chavela Vargas, the sculptor Francisco Zúñiga and the writer José Ricardo Chaves. Also, an active Mexican Cultural Institute functions in Costa Rica. In addition, both countries share mutual immigrant populations, as a large community of Costa Ricans lives in Mexico and vice versa.
Strong Agribusiness Trade
Data from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Mexico-Costa Rica (Cicomex), before the ban, pointing out that of the 15,000 tons per year of Hass avocado consumed in Costa Rica, 12,000 came from Mexico. Now Costa Rica imports that fruit from other countries such as Peru. The WTO reported that Mexico requested consultations with Costa Rica for the measures imposed that in its opinion unduly restrict the importation of avocados. The measures that Mexico considers illegal restrictive have to do with controls, inspections and approval procedures for the importation of that fruit. Mexican authorities submitted their second request for a panel to rule on the restrictions. “Costa Rica said that its measures were fully in line with the requirements of the WTO and supported by risk assessments consistent with the WTO,”
Suggestions
In the years that the treaty has been in force, it has functioned correctly, fulfilling the objectives set out in its formation, so it is important to continue in the same way, strengthening the relationship between the two countries. As for the problems that have arisen, it is important, that the representatives of the countries, and more importantly, the people who make decisions in both countries, take into account that a primary objective of the treaty is to promote fair competition, so that the rulers and authorities need to be careful in the decisions they make with respect to the other party’s companies, since the repercussions of their actions could.
