Costa Rica Addresses Nicaragua's Diplomatic Protest Over SICA Presidency
Nicaragua's government issued a strong protest against Costa Rica's actions in the Central American Integration System, prompting a detailed response from Costa Rican authorities.
On Friday, Costa Rica's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to a diplomatic protest letter sent by Nicaragua's government.
The letter, issued by Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Valdrack Jaentschke, criticized Costa Rica for its role as the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Central American Integration System (SICA).
Jaentschke accused the Costa Rican government of overstepping its authority and attempting to issue directives to a sovereign nation.
He described Costa Rica's actions as an "incomprehensible and unjustifiable aggression" and likened them to "colonialist positions."
In its official response, released on the same day, the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that since the resignation of Nicaraguan Werner Vargas as Secretary General of SICA in June 2024, various Pro Tempore presidencies have received candidate proposals submitted by Nicaragua to fill the position.
The ministry stated that in the course of its Pro Tempore Presidency, due to a lack of consensus on any candidates proposed by Nicaragua, it had respectfully urged Nicaragua to submit candidates for consideration.
The Costa Rican government indicated that a verbal note (DGPE-0233-2025) was sent to Nicaragua on March 26, 2025, prompting Nicaragua's response that same day.
The Costa Rican Ministry reiterated its commitment to facilitating constructive dialogue among member states to address any concerns, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and cooperation to strengthen relationships within SICA, the integration process, and multilateralism.
Nicaraguan media outlet Confidencial reported that the strong reaction from Daniel Ortega's regime was triggered by the second rejection within five months of the candidacy of former Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada Colindres for the position of Secretary General of SICA, as well as Costa Rica's request for an alternative slate of candidates.
It was noted that the rejection was not solely a result of Costa Rica's actions; countries including Guatemala, Panama, and the Dominican Republic also rejected Moncada Colindres's nomination for the second time the previous week.
These nations, alongside Costa Rica, have requested the Ortega administration to submit another slate of candidates.
Additionally, two other members from the slate proposed by Nicaragua were also rejected: Arling Patricia Alonso Gómez, a member of the Sandinista Front, and Johanna Vanessa Flores Jiménez, the Minister of Family, Adolescence, and Childhood (Mifan).
The letter, issued by Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Valdrack Jaentschke, criticized Costa Rica for its role as the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Central American Integration System (SICA).
Jaentschke accused the Costa Rican government of overstepping its authority and attempting to issue directives to a sovereign nation.
He described Costa Rica's actions as an "incomprehensible and unjustifiable aggression" and likened them to "colonialist positions."
In its official response, released on the same day, the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that since the resignation of Nicaraguan Werner Vargas as Secretary General of SICA in June 2024, various Pro Tempore presidencies have received candidate proposals submitted by Nicaragua to fill the position.
The ministry stated that in the course of its Pro Tempore Presidency, due to a lack of consensus on any candidates proposed by Nicaragua, it had respectfully urged Nicaragua to submit candidates for consideration.
The Costa Rican government indicated that a verbal note (DGPE-0233-2025) was sent to Nicaragua on March 26, 2025, prompting Nicaragua's response that same day.
The Costa Rican Ministry reiterated its commitment to facilitating constructive dialogue among member states to address any concerns, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and cooperation to strengthen relationships within SICA, the integration process, and multilateralism.
Nicaraguan media outlet Confidencial reported that the strong reaction from Daniel Ortega's regime was triggered by the second rejection within five months of the candidacy of former Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada Colindres for the position of Secretary General of SICA, as well as Costa Rica's request for an alternative slate of candidates.
It was noted that the rejection was not solely a result of Costa Rica's actions; countries including Guatemala, Panama, and the Dominican Republic also rejected Moncada Colindres's nomination for the second time the previous week.
These nations, alongside Costa Rica, have requested the Ortega administration to submit another slate of candidates.
Additionally, two other members from the slate proposed by Nicaragua were also rejected: Arling Patricia Alonso Gómez, a member of the Sandinista Front, and Johanna Vanessa Flores Jiménez, the Minister of Family, Adolescence, and Childhood (Mifan).
