COSTA RICA / UNITED STATES RELATIONS

There has always been a solid relation between United States and Costa Rica; they both share the same views and respect for democracy, human rights and free trade, plus have also actively and jointly participated in the fight against drug trafficking, illegal fishing cases, and search-and-rescue missions, to name a few.

Other shared interests have brought them even closer; their concern for the preservation of Costa Rica's environment and biota, plus the fact that United States is Costa Rica's leading trade partner. This has led to major US aid policies for Costa Rica, like the $1.1 billion-worth assistance program given by USAID for liberating its economic crisis, the $9 million project in 2000 for aiding the Hurricane Mitch refugees living in Costa Rica, plus the global assistance provided by Peace Corps, covering everything from urban youth to technical assistance in natural resources, to small business development, among others.

Now, as a result of the long-standing friendly relations and their two-way support in major issues, some 20,000 private American citizens reside in Costa Rica, and as many as 600,000 American tourists are received by Costa Rica each year; this alone stands as non-debatable proof of the trust, support and friendliness between both countries.

 

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