Overview
This small Central American country has a history of relative political stability, supported in part by a tradition of egalitarianism, strong democratic practices and constitutionally mandated neutrality. Costa Rica generally enjoys higher living standards, literacy rates and other development indicators relative to its neighbors. However, despite strong nationalist identifications with a unique heritage and political system, Costa Rica has many economic, social and environmental issues common with its neighbors.
Costa Rica managed to navigate the Latin American debt crisis while protecting some fundamental social security nets and preserving a strong role for government. However, many see the tide turning with its recent signing of CAFTA, which furthers U.S. plans for trade liberalization and privatization in the region. Within the country, opposition to a referendum to approve the agreement (a central debate in Costa Rica’s 2006 presidential elections) was widespread, but voters passed the bill by a thin margin 51%-48%.
In recent decades, Costa Rica has diversified its export economy, traditionally based on banana and coffee cash crops, to include technology and tourism industries. Rich environmental resources and significant National Protected Areas also make it an attractive ecotourism destination.
In contrast to its Central American neighbors, Costa Rica’s population is largely of European descent.
Basic Information
Lay of the Land: Costa Rica, “the Switzerland of Central America,” lies between Panama and Nicaragua and has both a Pacific and a Caribbean coast. Between the coastal lowlands is a volcanic mountain range with peaks over 12,000 feet high. Costa Rica's Pacific coastline is deeply indented with bays and river outlets. In the mountain plateaus, the weather is spring-like all year; the lowlands, however, are steamy and tropical.
Population: 4.2 million
Religions: Catholic (practicing) 47.2%, Catholic (non-practicing) 27.3%, Protestant 12.8%, Chinese Universalist 0.5%, Baha'i 0.3%, Ethnoreligious 0.2%, Jewish 0.15, Spiritist 0.1%, non-religious 9.2%.
Ethnic Groups: white (majority) and mestizo 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%. In contrast to its Central American neighbors, Costa Rica’s population is largely of European descent. Nicaraguans, primarily of Mestizo descent, make up about 10%-15% of the population, and an English-speaking minority of Jamaican immigrant workers accounts for about 3% of the population. According to the U.S. State Department, little of the indigenous population survived Spanish conquest, and today accounts for about 1% of the population (about 29,000 people).
Languages: Spanish 83.5%, Limón Creole English 1.4%, Bribri 0.2%, Cabécar 0.2%, other (Boruca, Plautdietsch, Teribe, Maléku Jaíka) 0.01%.
History
While human history in Costa Rica goes back an estimated 10,000 years, the territory was sparsely populated until colonization. Columbus arrived on his fourth and last trip in 1502, and settlement began twenty years later, after much of the surrounding territories had already been colonized.
Now among the richest and most developed Central American countries, this small territory was optimistically dubbed “Rich Coast” by the Spaniards who colonized it in 16th century. However, a paucity of gold or other exploitable riches led to the development of a successful agrarian society and prosperous banana and coffee export economy in the 19th century.
Central America gained independence from Spain in 1821, with Costa Rica absorbed into the Mexican Empire, and then into the federal Central American Union. The nation finally proclaimed its sovereignty and independence in 1938.
In 1948 a brief civil war led to the prohibition of military governments, and the country does not have a military (but rather, other services such as police and coast guard that account for national security forces). However, since 1994 Costa Rica has had a secret police force, which operates directly under the president and is free to put private citizens under surveillance. Some claim the lack of transparency goes against the country’s professed democratic principles.
Controversy Over Costa Rican National Intelligence Policies (Costa Rica Pages)
Costa Rica fared relatively well, in some respects, in regard to its neighbors during the Latin American debt crisis of the 1980s. In order to satisfy creditors and continue receiving vital aid from global organizations, countries were forced to open their markets to foreign investment and trade, roll back public spending including on vital social programs, devalue their respective currencies and privatize other major industries such as banking.
With soaring import prices and sunken export earnings, Costa Rica’s limited agricultureal export-based economy (mostly coffee and bananas), was ill-equipped for the 1980 oil shock and subsequent global stagflation. Interest on foreign debt rose dramatically, with the IMF and other international lenders capitalizing on developing countries’ desperation. In 1983, pressure from the banks forced Costa Rica to clamp down on public spending. The country’s cumulative debt had doubled to $4 billion by the mid-1980s–an amount equal to its GNP. While the small country, known for a strong egalitarian and democratic tradition, was able to keep development indictors high during the crisis, per capita income growth slipped 1.2% from 1980 to 1986. In 1986, the new president, Óscar Arias, implemented a major policy shift, refusing to cooperate with the banks and formally suspending (defaulting on) regular interest payments (at that time equal to 8% of GNP), with future payments contingent upon the availability of foreign exchange and the country’s ability to meet its own growth requirements.
While other nations suspended interest payments, Costa Rica is credited with “putting the lending institutions on the defense.” Costa Rica continued economic reform (rolling back public spending, raising taxes and lowering tariffs) but withheld interest payments…and the IMF dropped its requirements that it pay its creditors in order to receive aid.
Despite the fact that the country was able to keep the highest development standards in Central America, its real minimum wage and poverty rate have remained more or less stagnant since the crisis. While most state-owned enterprises were privatized, many elements of basic infrastructure–transportation, water, telecommunications, and energy–have remained under control of the state. The implementation of the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), is expected to change this.
Economic Scene; Costa Rica's Debt Message (by Peter Passell, New York Times)
History of U.S. Relations with Costa Rica
Relations between the United States and Costa Rica have historically been close and friendly, circumventing much of the surrounding turmoil of controversial U.S. military and economic policies in the region. Costa Rica has mostly supported U.S. policies; it broke ties with Cuba in 1961 and has been a critical force in bringing U.S. neoliberal economic reform to Central America.
Although Costa Rica is not currently a major aid recipient, the U.S. invested $1.1 billion in trade liberalization-oriented development schemes through USAID in the 1980s. During the 1990s USAID focused on “democratic practices,” and then closed its office in 1996.
Costa Rica - U.S. Relations (United States Embassy in Costa Rica)
Current U.S. Relations with Costa Rica
Former President Abel Pacheco supported the U.S. invasion in Iraq, despite traditional (constitutional) neutrality, while former President Arias, who came to power again in 2006, was a strong vocal critic of the war.
There are 68,588 Costa Ricans living in the U.S. The largest populations are in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami.
An estimated 30,000–50,000 private U.S. citizens live in Costa Rica, and an average of 700,000 visit the country each year. The number American tourists has risen rapidly in recent years, up 73.2% from the 422,215 who visited in 2002.
153,835 Costa Ricans traveled to the U.S. in 2006, 6.5% less than in 2005. The number of tourists has fallen consistently since 2002, when 197,159 Costa Ricans came to America.
Where Does the Money Flow
About 42% of Costa Rica’s land is cultivated for agriculture and livestock, while about 38% is jungle, forest or natural vegetation (National Protected Areas constitute about 22 % of total land area and are an increasing ecotourism draw). Faced with decreasing export value and the liberalizing market reforms of the 1980s, the country shifted its agriculture-export-based economy (coffee and bananas) to include development in other sectors, such as manufacturing. Since the 1990s, tourism has been the second-largest industry, after bananas. Given its political stability, Costa Rica is seen as the most attractive Central American environment for foreign investors.
The Peace Corps has also traditionally had a strong presence in Costa Rica.
The U.S. is Costa Rica’s most important trade partner, accounting for nearly half of its exports, imports and tourism, and more than two-thirds of its foreign investment. In past decades, the U.S. played a central role in economic development in the country, with more than a billion dollars flowing through USAID programs aimed at liberalizing the economy and trade practices. Costa Rica accounts for a significant portion of U.S. CAFTA investment (See Debate).
The United States imported almost $4 billion worth of goods from Costa Rica in 2007. Among the highest values were: fruits and preparations ($839.3 million); scientific and medical equipment ($580.2 million); computer accessories ($412.8 million); cotton goods ($313 million); green coffee ($155.2 million) and electric appliances ($127.4 million). Most of these have seen steady increases since 2003.
U.S. exports to the Central American country totaled a hefty $4.5 billion in 2007, a gradual increase over the past few years. By far the highest-value export in 2007 was semiconductors, at $1 billion. Plastic materials ($222 million), newsprint ($210 million), medical equipment ($135 million), electric apparatuses ($127.7 million), petroleum products ($124 million) are among the highest values and up in recent years. The U.S. also exported $117.6 million in corn–a Costa Rican staple–in 2007.
The U.S. did not give any aid to Costa Rica in 2006. The 2008 budget request increases aid to Costa Rica to $187,000, all of which will be spent on International Military Education and Training.
Costa Rica top court blocks US trade pact approval (Associated Press)
Controversies
CAFTA
Costa Rica CAFTA Opponents Cry Foul on U.S. Intervention in Referendum (by Robert Naiman, Huffington Post)
OAS Corruption Scandal
Scandals Blot Costa Rica’s Sunny Image (by Chris Kraul, Los Angeles Times)
Scandal Plagues Costa Rican Leader, Allies (by Brian Harris, Miami Herald)
Human Rights
Costa Rica is home to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and was the first country to recognize its jurisdiction.
In its 2007 Country Report on human rights conditions, the U.S. State department found the following: “While the government generally respected the human rights of its citizens, the following human rights problems were reported: substantial judicial process delays, particularly in pretrial detention and civil and labor cases; antiquated libel laws and excessive penalties for violations; domestic violence against women and children; child prostitution; and child labor.”
Costa Rica: Turn Mario Uribe Over to Colombia (Human Rights Watch)
DR-CAFTA Falls Short on Workers’ Rights (Human Rights Watch)
Debate
CAFTA
Five Central American leaders signed the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the United States in 2004, followed by Puerto Rico. In Costa Rica, the CAFTA referendum was a controversial issue, dividing the populace during a crucial election period.
At issue was the fundamental policy shift signaled by the agreement: a step forward in pro-U.S. trade liberalization for a country that had held out relatively well on its own since the debt crisis and major restructuring campaign of the 1980s. Support for CAFTA means supporting open markets and all the things that go with it, including the rolling back of government funding for social services. Opponents to the treaty sought to maintain government intervention and nationalistic policies.
According to some international human rights observers, the “Yes” campaign in support of the treaty was effected through a top-down, pro-business and pro-government propaganda campaign that used fear and exaggerated figures to persuade voters, while the “No” campaign was a wide, horizontal grass-roots movement.
Fear and Voting in Costa Rica (by Elsa Arismendi, Foreign Policy in Focus)
CAFTA Wins in Razor-Close Costa Rica Vote, (Public Citizen)
Will Costa Rica join Latin America's leftward tide? (by Sara Miller Llana, Christian Science Monitor)
Is CAFTAgood for Costa Rica? Two Views on the CAFTA Referendum (Global Policy Network)
Costa Rica Balks At Free-Trade Pact: Misgivings Could Weaken Support in U.S. Congress For CentralAmerica Deal, (by John Lyons, Wall Street Journal)
Anti-CAFTA
Costa Rica: Why We Reject CAFTA (by Eva Carazo Vargas, Center for International Policy)
Pro-CAFTA
Support for U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement Widespread (US State Department)
Inter-American Development Bank Welcomes Costa Rica's Entry Into New Trade Pact with U.S. (by Eric Green, US Embassy in Costa Rica)
U.S.Official Outlines Importance of U.S.-Central American Trade Agreement (US State Department)
Past Ambassadors
John Slidell
Appointment: Mar 29, 1853
Note: Commissioned to Central America; declined appointment. Commissioned during a recess of the Senate.
Solon Borland
Appointment: Apr 18, 1853
Note:Commissioned to Central America; did not present credentials in Costa Rica. Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Feb 9, 1854.
Appointment: Apr 18, 1853
Note:Commissioned to Central America; did not present credentials in Costa Rica. Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Feb 9, 1854.
Mirabeau B. Lamar
Appointment: Jan 20, 1858
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 14, 1858
Termination of Mission: Notified Govt. of Costa Rica by note from Releajo, Nicaragua, May 20, 1859, of termination of his mission
Note: Accredited also to Nicaragua; resident at Managua.
Appointment: Jan 20, 1858
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 14, 1858
Termination of Mission: Notified Govt. of Costa Rica by note from Releajo, Nicaragua, May 20, 1859, of termination of his mission
Note: Accredited also to Nicaragua; resident at Managua.
Alexander Dimitry
Appointment: Aug 15, 1859
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 29, 1859
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Apr 27, 1861
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 24, 1860. Accredited also to Nicaragua; resident at Managua.
Appointment: Aug 15, 1859
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 29, 1859
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Apr 27, 1861
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 24, 1860. Accredited also to Nicaragua; resident at Managua.
Charles N. Riotte
Appointment: Jun 8, 1861
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 29, 1861
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Jan 18, 1867
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jul 22, 1861.
Appointment: Jun 8, 1861
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 29, 1861
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Jan 18, 1867
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jul 22, 1861.
Albert G. Lawrence
Appointment: Oct 2, 1866
Presentation of Credentials: Jan 18, 1867
Termination of Mission: Probably presented recall soon after Jun 24, 1868
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 11, 1867.
Appointment: Oct 2, 1866
Presentation of Credentials: Jan 18, 1867
Termination of Mission: Probably presented recall soon after Jun 24, 1868
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 11, 1867.
Thaddeus P. Mott
Note: Not commissioned; nomination withdrawn before the Senate acted upon it.
Note: Not commissioned; nomination withdrawn before the Senate acted upon it.
Jacob B. Blair
Appointment: Jul 25, 1868
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 6, 1868
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Jun 30, 1873.
Appointment: Jul 25, 1868
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 6, 1868
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Jun 30, 1873.
Charles N. Riotte
Note: Not commissioned; nomination tabled by the Senate.
Note: Not commissioned; nomination tabled by the Senate.
George Williamson
Appointment: May 17, 1873
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 13, 1873
Termination of Mission: Notified Government of Costa Rica by note from Amapala, Honduras, Jan 31, 1879, that he had resigned
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Dec 10, 1873. Commissioned to "the Central American States" but accredited individually to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; resident at Guatemala.
Appointment: May 17, 1873
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 13, 1873
Termination of Mission: Notified Government of Costa Rica by note from Amapala, Honduras, Jan 31, 1879, that he had resigned
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Dec 10, 1873. Commissioned to "the Central American States" but accredited individually to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; resident at Guatemala.
Cornelius A. Logan
Appointment: Apr 2, 1879
Presentation of Credentials: [Dec 25, 1879]
Termination of Mission: Left San Jose, Apr 17, 1882
Note: Officially recognized on Dec 25, 1879. Commissioned to "the Central American States" but accredited individually to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; resident at Guatemala.
Appointment: Apr 2, 1879
Presentation of Credentials: [Dec 25, 1879]
Termination of Mission: Left San Jose, Apr 17, 1882
Note: Officially recognized on Dec 25, 1879. Commissioned to "the Central American States" but accredited individually to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; resident at Guatemala.
Henry C. Hall
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 22, 1882
Termination of Mission: Promoted to Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Note:Presented credentials the same day as Minister Resident and as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. Commissioned to "the Central American States" but accredited individually to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; resident at Guatemala.
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 22, 1882
Termination of Mission: Promoted to Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Note:Presented credentials the same day as Minister Resident and as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. Commissioned to "the Central American States" but accredited individually to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; resident at Guatemala.
Henry C. Hall
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 22, 1882
Termination of Mission: Transmitted recall by note on or shortly before May 16, 1889
Note: Commissioned to "the Central American States" but accredited individually to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua; resident at Guatemala.
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 22, 1882
Termination of Mission: Transmitted recall by note on or shortly before May 16, 1889
Note: Commissioned to "the Central American States" but accredited individually to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua; resident at Guatemala.
Lansing B. Mizner
Appointment: Mar 30, 1889
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 30, 1889
Termination of Mission: Relinquished charge at Guatemala, Dec 31, 1890
Note: Commissioned to "the Central American States" but accredited individually to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua; resident at Guatemala.
Appointment: Mar 30, 1889
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 30, 1889
Termination of Mission: Relinquished charge at Guatemala, Dec 31, 1890
Note: Commissioned to "the Central American States" but accredited individually to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua; resident at Guatemala.
Romualdo Pacheco
Appointment: Dec 11, 1890
Presentation of Credentials: May 7, 1891
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Oct 31, 1891
Note:Commissioned to "the Central American States" but accredited individually to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua; resident at Guatemala.
Appointment: Dec 11, 1890
Presentation of Credentials: May 7, 1891
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Oct 31, 1891
Note:Commissioned to "the Central American States" but accredited individually to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua; resident at Guatemala.
Richard Cutts Shannon
Appointment: Aug 8, 1891
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 31, 1891
Termination of Mission: Left Managua, Apr 30, 1893
Note: Also accredited to El Salvador and Nicaragua; resident at Managua. Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Dec 23, 1891.
Appointment: Aug 8, 1891
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 31, 1891
Termination of Mission: Left Managua, Apr 30, 1893
Note: Also accredited to El Salvador and Nicaragua; resident at Managua. Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Dec 23, 1891.
Lewis Baker
Appointment: Apr 4, 1893
Presentation of Credentials: May 20, 1893
Termination of Mission: Transmitted recall by note about Dec 9, 1897
Note: Also accredited to El Salvador and Nicaragua; resident Managua. Note: Accredited also to El Salvador and Nicaragua; resident at Managua. Transmitted credentials by note from Managua on this date.
Appointment: Apr 4, 1893
Presentation of Credentials: May 20, 1893
Termination of Mission: Transmitted recall by note about Dec 9, 1897
Note: Also accredited to El Salvador and Nicaragua; resident Managua. Note: Accredited also to El Salvador and Nicaragua; resident at Managua. Transmitted credentials by note from Managua on this date.
William L. Merry
Appointment: Jul 17, 1897
Presentation of Credentials: Jan 15, 1898
Termination of Mission: Recommissioned to a different combination of countries
Note: Commissioned as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and El Salvador; resident at San Jose.
Appointment: Jul 17, 1897
Presentation of Credentials: Jan 15, 1898
Termination of Mission: Recommissioned to a different combination of countries
Note: Commissioned as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and El Salvador; resident at San Jose.
William L. Merry
Appointment: Dec 12, 1907
Termination of Mission: Recommissioned to Costa Rica only
Note: Commissioned as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Nicaragua and Costa Rica; resident at San Jose.
Appointment: Dec 12, 1907
Termination of Mission: Recommissioned to Costa Rica only
Note: Commissioned as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Nicaragua and Costa Rica; resident at San Jose.
William L. Merry
Appointment: Jul 1, 1908
Presentation of Credentials: Left Costa Rica, Mar 4, 1911
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Dec 10, 1908.
Appointment: Jul 1, 1908
Presentation of Credentials: Left Costa Rica, Mar 4, 1911
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Dec 10, 1908.
Lewis Einstein
Appointment: Jul 6, 1911
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 3, 1911
Termination of Mission: Left post, Dec 29, 1911
Appointment: Jul 6, 1911
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 3, 1911
Termination of Mission: Left post, Dec 29, 1911
Edward J. Hale
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Jun 21, 1913
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 29, 1913
Termination of Mission: Normal relations interrupted, Jan 27, 1917; new Government of Costa Rica still unrecognized by the U.S. when Hale left Costa Rica, Apr 19, 1917
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Jun 21, 1913
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 29, 1913
Termination of Mission: Normal relations interrupted, Jan 27, 1917; new Government of Costa Rica still unrecognized by the U.S. when Hale left Costa Rica, Apr 19, 1917
Note: Stewart Johnson was serving as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim when Legation San Jose was closed, Dec 5, 1918. The Legation was reopened Oct 15, 1920 with John F. Martin, Jr., as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim. Walter C. Thurston served in that capacity, Jan 1921–Mar 1922.
Roy T. Davis
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Feb 10, 1922
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 14, 1922
Termination of Mission: Left Costa Rica, Jan 4, 1930
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Feb 10, 1922
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 14, 1922
Termination of Mission: Left Costa Rica, Jan 4, 1930
H. F. Arthur Schoenfeld
Appointment: Dec 16, 1929
Note: Did not serve under this appointment.
Appointment: Dec 16, 1929
Note: Did not serve under this appointment.
Charles C. Eberhardt
Appointment: Jan 9, 1930
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 14, 1930
Termination of Mission: Left Costa Rica, Sep 24, 1933
Appointment: Jan 9, 1930
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 14, 1930
Termination of Mission: Left Costa Rica, Sep 24, 1933
Leo R. Sack
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Aug 17, 1933
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 16, 1933
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jan 10, 1937
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 15, 1934.
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Aug 17, 1933
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 16, 1933
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jan 10, 1937
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 15, 1934.
Edward Albright
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Apr 22, 1937
Note: Took oath of office, but died in the U.S. before proceeding to post.
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Apr 22, 1937
Note: Took oath of office, but died in the U.S. before proceeding to post.
William H. Hornibrook
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Jul 2, 1937
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 2, 1937
Termination of Mission: Relinquished charge, Sep 1, 1941
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Jul 2, 1937
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 2, 1937
Termination of Mission: Relinquished charge, Sep 1, 1941
Arthur Bliss Lane
Appointment: Oct 9, 1941
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 27, 1941
Termination of Mission: Left post, Mar 17, 1942
Appointment: Oct 9, 1941
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 27, 1941
Termination of Mission: Left post, Mar 17, 1942
Robert M. Scotten
Appointment: Mar 5, 1942
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 31, 1942
Termination of Mission: Left post, Apr 20, 1943
Appointment: Mar 5, 1942
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 31, 1942
Termination of Mission: Left post, Apr 20, 1943
Fay A. DesPortes
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Mar 27, 1943
Presentation of Credentials: May 20, 1943
Termination of Mission: Left post, Sep 11, 1944
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Mar 27, 1943
Presentation of Credentials: May 20, 1943
Termination of Mission: Left post, Sep 11, 1944
Hallett Johnson
Appointment: Dec 16, 1944
Presentation of Credentials: Feb 14, 1945
Termination of Mission: Left post, May 16, 1947
Appointment: Dec 16, 1944
Presentation of Credentials: Feb 14, 1945
Termination of Mission: Left post, May 16, 1947
Walter J. Donnelly
Appointment: Apr 10, 1947
Presentation of Credentials: Jun 27, 1947
Termination of Mission: Left post, Oct 15, 1947
Appointment: Apr 10, 1947
Presentation of Credentials: Jun 27, 1947
Termination of Mission: Left post, Oct 15, 1947
Nathaniel P. Davis
Appointment: Sep 30, 1947
Presentation of Credentials: Jan 31, 1948
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jun 8, 1949
Note:Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Dec 9, 1947.
Appointment: Sep 30, 1947
Presentation of Credentials: Jan 31, 1948
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jun 8, 1949
Note:Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Dec 9, 1947.
Joseph Flack
Appointment: Jun 24, 1949
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 13, 1949
Termination of Mission: Left post, Sep 21, 1950
Appointment: Jun 24, 1949
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 13, 1949
Termination of Mission: Left post, Sep 21, 1950
Philip B. Fleming
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Apr 18, 1951
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 20, 1951
Termination of Mission: Left post, Aug 7, 1953
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Apr 18, 1951
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 20, 1951
Termination of Mission: Left post, Aug 7, 1953
Robert C. Hill
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Oct 23, 1953
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 4, 1953
Termination of Mission: Left post, Sep 10, 1954
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 26, 1954.
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Oct 23, 1953
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 4, 1953
Termination of Mission: Left post, Sep 10, 1954
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 26, 1954.
Robert F. Woodward
Appointment: Sep 24, 1954
Presentation of Credentials: Dec 3, 1954
Termination of Mission: Left post, Mar 15, 1958
Note:Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Dec 3, 1954.
Appointment: Sep 24, 1954
Presentation of Credentials: Dec 3, 1954
Termination of Mission: Left post, Mar 15, 1958
Note:Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Dec 3, 1954.
Whiting Willauer
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Apr 22, 1958
Presentation of Credentials: May 5, 1958
Termination of Mission: Left post, Apr 17, 1961
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Apr 22, 1958
Presentation of Credentials: May 5, 1958
Termination of Mission: Left post, Apr 17, 1961
Raymond Telles
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Apr 6, 1961
Presentation of Credentials: May 22, 1961
Termination of Mission: Left post, Feb 19, 1967
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Apr 6, 1961
Presentation of Credentials: May 22, 1961
Termination of Mission: Left post, Feb 19, 1967
Clarence A. Boonstra
Appointment: Jan 26, 1967
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 8, 1967
Termination of Mission: Left post, Aug 11, 1969
Appointment: Jan 26, 1967
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 8, 1967
Termination of Mission: Left post, Aug 11, 1969
Walter C. Ploeser
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Apr 8, 1970
Presentation of Credentials: Apr 27, 1970
Termination of Mission: Left post, Apr 13, 1972
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Apr 8, 1970
Presentation of Credentials: Apr 27, 1970
Termination of Mission: Left post, Apr 13, 1972
Viron P. Vaky
Appointment: Sep 11, 1972
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 17, 1972
Termination of Mission: Left post, Feb 9, 1974
Appointment: Sep 11, 1972
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 17, 1972
Termination of Mission: Left post, Feb 9, 1974
Stanton D. Anderson
Non-career appointee
Note: Not commissioned; nomination of Apr 29, 1974 was not acted upon by the Senate.
Non-career appointee
Note: Not commissioned; nomination of Apr 29, 1974 was not acted upon by the Senate.
Terence A. Todman
Appointment: Dec 18, 1974
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 17, 1975
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jan 24, 1977
Appointment: Dec 18, 1974
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 17, 1975
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jan 24, 1977
Marvin Weissman
Non-career appointee
Appointment: May 26, 1977
Presentation of Credentials: Jun 28, 1977
Termination of Mission: Left post, Mar 22, 1980
Non-career appointee
Appointment: May 26, 1977
Presentation of Credentials: Jun 28, 1977
Termination of Mission: Left post, Mar 22, 1980
Francis J. McNeil
Appointment: Jun 30, 1980
Presentation of Credentials: Jul 8, 1980
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jun 27, 1983
Appointment: Jun 30, 1980
Presentation of Credentials: Jul 8, 1980
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jun 27, 1983
Curtin Winsor, Jr.
Non-career appointee
Appointment: May 26, 1983
Presentation of Credentials: Jul 14, 1983
Termination of Mission: Left post, Feb 18, 1985
Non-career appointee
Appointment: May 26, 1983
Presentation of Credentials: Jul 14, 1983
Termination of Mission: Left post, Feb 18, 1985
Lewis Arthur Tambs
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Jul 12, 1985
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 1, 1985
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jan 1, 1987
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Jul 12, 1985
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 1, 1985
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jan 1, 1987
Deane Roesch Hinton
Appointment: Nov 6, 1987
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 17, 1987
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jan 4, 1990
Note: Hinton was commissioned during a recess of the Senate as Ambassador to Panama, Jan 2, 1990, and presented his credentials there on Jan 9, 1990 (see under Panama).
Appointment: Nov 6, 1987
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 17, 1987
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jan 4, 1990
Note: Hinton was commissioned during a recess of the Senate as Ambassador to Panama, Jan 2, 1990, and presented his credentials there on Jan 9, 1990 (see under Panama).
Note:The following officers served as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim: Robert O. Homme (Mar–Jul 1993), Donald Harrington (Jul–Aug 1993), and Joseph Beceila (Aug 1993–Oct 1994).
Luis Guinot, Jr.
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Aug 2, 1991
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 27, 1991
Termination of Mission: Left post, Mar 1, 1993
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Aug 2, 1991
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 27, 1991
Termination of Mission: Left post, Mar 1, 1993
Peter Jon de Vos
Appointment: Oct 5, 1994
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 21, 1994
Termination of Mission: Left post, Oct 14, 1997
Appointment: Oct 5, 1994
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 21, 1994
Termination of Mission: Left post, Oct 14, 1997
Thomas J. Dodd
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Oct 14, 1997
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 26, 1997
Termination of Mission: Left post Mar 1, 2001
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Oct 14, 1997
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 26, 1997
Termination of Mission: Left post Mar 1, 2001
John J. Danilovich
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Oct 1, 2001
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 10, 2001
Termination of Mission: Left post, June 1, 2004
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Oct 1, 2001
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 10, 2001
Termination of Mission: Left post, June 1, 2004
Mark Langdale
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Oct 12, 2005
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 8, 2005
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Oct 12, 2005
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 8, 2005
Termination of Mission: January 1, 2008
Costa Rica's Ambassador to the U.S.
Figueres, Muni
Muni Figueres was appointed as Costa Rica’s Ambassador to the United States in August 2010.
Figueres was born in Costa Rica and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Comparative Literature from City College of New York, Cours de Civilisation francaise, La Sorbonne, Paris, and her Master’s degree in Political Science from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.
Between 1982 and 1986, Figueres served as Director of Costa Rica’s Investment and Trade Promotion Agency. In 1986 she was named Minister of Foreign Trade, a position she held until 1988. She subsequently became Special Presidential Trade Representative, her two-year mission being to bolster support in the U.S. Congress for approval of the Caribbean Basin Initiative.
In 1990, Figueres served in Washington, D.C., as the Inter-American Development Bank’s Division Chief for Trade and Integration. She became the organization’s External Relations Advisor in 1992, and remained in that position until 2001, when she joined the board of directors of IDT Telecom.
Figueres is a director of the Council of the Americas, the International Executive Services Corps, Harvard’s SPAU, the Zamorano Agricultural College in Honduras, Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Development Foundation, and the Rock Creek International School.
She is the daughter of former Costa Rican President Jose’ “don Pepe” Hipolito Figueres and his first wife, Henrietta Boggs, an American. Consequently, Muni held joint citizenship. In 2010, she renounced her U.S. citizenship as a prerequisite for accepting the Costa Rica ambassadorship to the United States.
Figueres’s father was Costa Rica’s president for three terms--1948 to 1949, 1953 to 1958, and 1970 to 1974. Figueres’s half-sister Christina is Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and her half-brother, José María, was the president of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998.
Daughter of Former Costa Rican President Named Ambassador to United States (by Chrissie Long, Tico Times)
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U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica
Andrew, Anne Slaughter
Anne Slaughter Andrew has her husband, Joseph J. Andrew, in part, to thank for her nomination as the next U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica. While the environmental lawyer and lobbyist has made friends in the Democratic Party and contributed to campaigns, it was her husband’s endorsement of Barack Obama during the 2008 Democratic primary in Indiana that left the president with a debt of thanks to repay to the Andrew family. Andrew was confirmed by the Senate on December 24, 2009.
Before getting married, Anne Slaughter graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts. She attended law school at Indiana University-Indianapolis, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Indiana Law Review and earned her Juris Doctorate in 1983.
She fashioned a career as an environmental lawyer, working for the firms Bingham McHale, Baker & Daniels (where she co-chaired the environment/energy team) and Patton Boggs, where she served as a partner. She was a registered lobbyist with Baker & Daniels in 2000, representing Steel Dynamics Inc. In 2004, she co-founded a medical biotech consulting company, Anson Group, serving as a director until 2007, when she founded another company, New Energy Nexus, an energy consulting firm.
Andrew has been involved with environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation. Andrew has worked with the Nature Conservancy (TNC) since 1995, serving as an Indiana Trustee, and as a member of the TNC President’s National Advisory Council. Andrew also served as special counsel and director for TNC in Arlington, Virginia.
The Andrews family has contributed approximately $88,000 to federal candidates, committees and leadership PACs since 1989, according to OpenSecrets.org. Her husband is a former national chair of the Democratic National Committee (1999-2001), and chair of the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. He served as a superdelegate during the 2008 presidential contest and switched his endorsement from Hillary Clinton to Obama five days before the Indiana primary.
He was a registered federal lobbyist in 2001, working for the firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft and representing the New York Board of Trade and TeleCorp PCS, a subsidiary of AT&T. He also has served as chairman of the liberal think tank, the New Democratic Network.
Patton Boggs Partner Anne Slaughter Andrew, Wife of Former DNC Chair, Named Ambassador to Costa Rica (OpenSecrets.org)
morePrevious U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica
Cianchette, Peter
A businessman active in Republican politics, Peter E. Cianchette was confirmed as US Ambassador to Costa Rica on April 29, 2008. Cianchette earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at the University of Maine.
In the private sector, he has worked as a senior executive for the cement and concrete manufacturer Dragon Products Company (Maine), founded Cianchette Enterprises, Inc., and was CEO and Executive VP of Pierce Atwood Consulting, Maine’s largest law firm. Other stints include president of the Cianchette Group, a public affairs management and business consulting firm, as partner in the Maine private investment firm CHK Capital Partners, LLC, and president of SeptiTech, Inc., one of its portfolio companies.
In the public sector, Cianchette has served two terms as a State Representative (1996-2000) and was a Republican candidate for Governor of Maine in 2002. In 2004 he was the Maine General Chairman of the Bush-Cheney 2004 campaign. He also served on the Republican National Committee and as a Maine Health Corporator.
New US Ambassador to Costa Rica Will Try to Learn Spanish (The Elephant)
New U.S. ambassador in San José, for the first time ever (by Gillian Gillers, Tico Times, Costa Rica)
How to start a fire (by Al Diamon, Portland Phoenix)
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