According to information released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the flow of immigrants through the north frontier (Nicaragua) registers a mild increase.

“Since three weeks ago, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains an Interinstitutional Coordination Committee to face the possible impact that the crisis in Nicaragua could have in Costa Rica”, informed the Vice-President and Chancellor, Epsy Campbell.

The committee is formed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, the General Directorate of Migration and the National Emergency Commission.

These institutions maintain a permanent monitoring to guarantee that the migratory flow originating from Nicaragua is properly organized since the Peñas Blancas frontier has registered a mild increase in the last few days as well as an increase in the number of requests for refuge by Nicaraguans.

Minister of Security, Michael Soto, assured that for now, “there is not a massive increase of immigrants“; and therefore they maintain the same number of resources of the Frontier Police and Public Force throughout the border.

“The country has, not only the experience, but also the necessary preparation, to give an immediate and effective response in the event of a possible increase in the number of people through the north frontier”, assured Campbell. “In fact, Costa Rica has a Comprehensive Action Plan for the attention of Migratory Flows (2018-2022), unique in the region, and which was elaborated by the General Directorate of Migration, the International Organization for Migrations and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees”.

Campbell also confirmed the concern manifested by the Costa Rican Industries’ Chamber for the difficulty to get export products to their final destinations not just in Nicaragua but to the rest of the Central American countries.

According to date offered by the Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER), a 44% of the manufacturing industry’s exports in 2017 were placed in Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.

SOURCE: Ministry of Foreign Affairs