Met secretly with Trump behind the president's back – and was immediately impeached

Political turmoil in Costa Rica: Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar was dismissed after participating in a security summit of Trump-led coalition "Shield of the Americas" without informing President Fernandez, who was prevented from attending herself. The government defined this as negligence causing severe strategic damage. The Foreign Trade Minister was appointed to replace him.

A sharp political and diplomatic upheaval in Costa Rica: President Laura Fernandez announced the immediate dismissal of Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar, after he secretly met with US President Donald Trump at a high-profile security summit of the "Shield of the Americas" coalition without informing her in advance. The summit, held on Tuesday and led by Trump, aimed to combat drug cartels, organized crime, and terrorism in Latin America. While other countries were represented at the leadership level, Costa Rica was represented only by the foreign minister, and the president was not informed of the forum's existence. The government defined the conduct as "unforgivable negligence that caused significant strategic damage," especially given the importance San Jose placed on the security alliance with the US. Foreign Trade Minister Indiana Trejos was appointed acting foreign minister and will assume the role upon her arrival from a UN General Assembly mission in New York. The public dismissal was intended to send a clear message to the domestic arena and to Washington that Costa Rica will not tolerate independent channels of action bypassing the highest political echelon.