President Biden is set to meet with President Rodrigo Chaves of Costa Rica at the White House on Tuesday in an effort to address the increasing migration issue in the Western Hemisphere. In addition to discussing economic ties and job creation, the two leaders will focus on developing strategies to control illegal migration while providing opportunities for migrants to seek protection closer to their home countries. Costa Rica has recently agreed to establish two processing centers where migrants can apply for legal protection without crossing the border. This move aims to alleviate the pressure on Costa Rica’s asylum system, which has been overwhelmed by the influx of migrants fleeing violence in Nicaragua and Venezuela.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 270,000 migrants sought protection in Costa Rica by the end of 2022. To handle the surge, President Chaves implemented several restrictions on the nation’s asylum system, including a 30-day time limit for asylum applications and stringent work permit rules. The rise in illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border in July further emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts between the United States and Central American nations like Costa Rica to effectively address the migration challenge.
The White House views Costa Rica as one of the strongest democracies in a region that has experienced a decline in democratic values. President Chaves, who aimed to disrupt the Latin American political establishment and corporate influence, participated in President Biden’s Summit of the Americas. Notably, Mexico did not attend the summit, highlighting the complexities of regional relationships. President Biden also organized a democracy summit in March, which brought together leaders from the Netherlands, South Korea, and Zambia.
However, it’s worth noting that President Chaves has faced criticism for his treatment of journalists investigating allegations of sexual harassment and financial misconduct. Through the use of executive powers, he has limited their revenue streams and attempted to downplay a World Bank investigation into allegations against him during his campaign last year.
This meeting between President Biden and President Chaves represents a crucial step in addressing migration challenges while strengthening bilateral relations and promoting democratic values in the Western Hemisphere.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
