United States Army General Laura Richardson, commander of the US Southern Command (Southcom) will arrive in San José on Monday, February 6th for her first official visit to Costa Rica.
Richardson’s four-day agenda in the country includes scheduled meetings with different authorities. For example, there will be appointments with President Rodrigo Chaves; the Minister of Public Security, Jorge Luis Torres, and other senior officials.
Longstanding bilateral security partnership
The goal is to focus on the “longstanding bilateral security partnership between the United States and Costa Rica. As well as collaborative efforts to address security threats and challenges of mutual interest,” the US Embassy reported.
“Existing security cooperation between the United States and Costa Rica goes back decades and focuses on shared interests, including disaster preparedness and cyber security.
“Also in the promotion of respect for human rights, the expanded integration of women in security, peace and defense and international efforts to counter transnational criminal organizations,” added the diplomatic office.
More relationship with the United States
During her stay, Richardson will also watch with Minister Torres the joint organization of this year’s Central American Security Conference (Centsec).In it, defense and public security leaders from the Americas and Europe will exchange ideas, experiences and perspectives on regional collaboration to address new challenges.
This year’s Centsec will include plenary sessions on protection of critical infrastructure in the cyber domain, climate change and environmental security, as well as human rights.The conference, which is sponsored each year by the Southern Command, was held in Costa Rica in 2016.
