Costa Rica–Mexico relations

Costa Rica-Mexico relations

Costa Rica
Mexico

Costa Rica–Mexico relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Costa Rica and Mexico.

History

Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto in February 2013

Costa Rica and Mexico are two Latin American nations that share a common history in the fact that both nations were colonized by the Spanish empire. During Spanish colonization, Costa Rica was under the administration of the Viceroyalty of New Spain in Mexico City. In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain and Costa Rica became part of the First Mexican Empire. In 1823, the empire dissolved and Costa Rica, along with El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua joined the United Provinces of Central America. In 1838, the union dissolved and Costa Rica became an independent nation.[1] That same year, Costa Rica and Mexico established diplomatic relations.[2]

In March 1948, Costa Rica entered into a civil war. During the war, the ambassadors of Chile, Mexico, Panama and the United States met at the premise of the Mexican embassy in San José and agreed to mediate between both belligerents of the war to bring them to a peaceful resolution. This was known as the Pacto de la embajada de México.[3] The war ended in April 1948 and Costa Rica entered into its 'Second Republic.'[2]

During the central-American wars taking place in neighboring El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua; both Costa Rica and Mexico led mediation dialogues between waring factions in each nation in order to bring peace and stability to the region. Mexico (along with Colombia, Panama and Venezuela) created the Contadora Group which helped create the framework for the Esquipulas Peace Agreement, led by Costa Rica's President Oscar Arias.[4][5]

Today, both nations work together to combat Mexican cartels operating in Costa Rica[6] and are mutual members of the Organization of Ibero-American States, Organization of American States and the Rio Group.

Trade relations

In 1995, Costa Rica and Mexico signed a free trade agreement. In 2013, two-way trade between both nations amounted to $4,15 billion USD.[7] Mexico's main exports to Costa Rica include: televisions, vehicles and avocados while Costa Rica's main exports to Mexico include: software, computer processors and palm oil.[7] In 2013, Mexican investments to Costa Rica amounted to $1,5 billion USD. At the same time, Costa Rican investments in Mexico amounted to $173 million USD.[7] Mexico is Costa Rica's third largest trading partner globally.[2]

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

References

  1. ↑ History and Culture of Costa Rica
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bilateral relations between Mexico and Costa Rica (in Spanish)
  3. ↑ El Pacto de la Embajada de México (in Spanish)
  4. ↑ The Foreign Ministry Commemorates the 30th Anniversary of the Contadora Group
  5. ↑ Central American Security Commission Esquipulas Peace Agreement, August 6-7, 1987
  6. ↑ Cártel mexicano se expande a Costa Rica y China (in Spanish)
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Economía y Comercio entre México y Costa Rica (in Spanish)
  8. ↑ Embassy of Costa Rica in Mexico City (in Spanish)
  9. ↑ Embassy of Mexico in San José (in Spanish)