QCOSTARICA — Despite breaking diplomatic relations with Venezuela and joining the group of countries that requested economic sanctions against the regime of Nicolás Maduro, the government of Rodrigo Chaves assures that this will not affect commercial ties with that nation.
According to Manuel Tovar, head of Costa Rica’s Foreign Trade – Ministerio de Comercio Exterior (COMEX) – these political exchanges “do not respond to the same dynamics and usually operate at different frequencies. The decisions to export and import goods and services are made by private economic agents, based on profitability considerations.”
Tovar also states that commercial exchange with Venezuela is governed by the rules and agreements of the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as by the Partial Scope Agreement (PSA) between Costa Rica and Venezuela, which dates back to the 1980s and grants some tariff preferences to a limited group of goods.
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Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister, Arnoldo André Tinoco, reaffirmed this, pointing out that “commercial relations are between private companies and individuals.”
Both ministers commented that trade between Costa Rica and Venezuela is limited, so they do not believe that the new frictions will greatly affect bilateral trade.
As of last June, the Costa Rican production sector exported US$7.6 million to Venezuela, while imports were US$2.8 million. Costa Rica exports to Venezuela include antiserums, medicines, fruit juices, palm nuts, textiles, computer parts, electrical materials, cables and fine bakery products.
Meanwhile, imports include charcoal, wood, cocoa butter, aluminum sulfates, medicines, plastic pipes, asphalt products and aluminum strips.
According to the analysis of experts in different areas consulted, the greatest impact would be the lives of Costa Ricans residing in Venezuela could become complicated, given that, officially, both countries announced the departure of diplomatic staff, including staff in charge of business and consulates.
Costa Rica’s Foreign Ministry has told Costa Ricans living in Venezuela must accede to the Costa Rican consulate in Bogotá, Colombia for consular services.
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The government of Costa Rica has recommended not traveling to Venezuela, leading to several airlines reducing flights to and from Venezuela and reported that, together with the representations of Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay, has requested an urgent meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS), to diplomatically isolate the Maduro regime.
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