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Costa Rica–Mexico relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Costa Rica and Mexico. Both nations are members of the Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
Contents
History
Costa Rica and Mexico are two Latin American nations that share a common history in the fact that both nations were colonized by the Spanish empire. During Spanish colonization, Costa Rica was under the administration of the Viceroyalty of New Spain in Mexico City. In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain and Costa Rica became part of the First Mexican Empire. In 1823, the empire dissolved and Costa Rica, along with El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua joined the United Provinces of Central America. In 1838, the union dissolved and Costa Rica became an independent nation. That same year, Costa Rica and Mexico established diplomatic relations.
In March 1948, Costa Rica entered into a civil war. During the war, the ambassadors of Chile, Mexico, Panama and the United States met at the premise of the Mexican embassy in San José and agreed to mediate between both belligerents of the war to bring them to a peaceful resolution. This was known as the Pacto de la embajada de México. The war ended in April 1948 and Costa Rica entered into its 'Second Republic.'
During the central-American wars taking place in neighboring El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua; both Costa Rica and Mexico led mediation dialogues between waring factions in each nation in order to bring peace and stability to the region. Mexico (along with Colombia, Panama and Venezuela) created the Contadora Group which helped create the framework for the Esquipulas Peace Agreement, led by Costa Rica's President Oscar Arias.
State visits
Presidential visits from Costa Rica to Mexico
Presidential visits from Mexico to Costa Rica
Trade relations
In 1995, Costa Rica and Mexico signed a free trade agreement. In 2014, two-way trade between both nations amounted to $3,538 billion USD. Mexico's main exports to Costa Rica include: televisions, vehicles and avocados while Costa Rica's main exports to Mexico include: software, computer processors and palm oil. In 2013, Mexican investments to Costa Rica amounted to $1,5 billion USD. At the same time, Costa Rican investments in Mexico amounted to $173 million USD. Mexico is Costa Rica's third largest trading partner globally.