The Government of Costa Rica, headed by President Laura Fernández Delgado, dismissed Pablo Heriberto Abarca this Friday, October 16, who had been serving as the Central American country's ambassador to Mexico since August 2022.
The decision was confirmed by the diplomat himself, who stated that he initially learned of his departure through inquiries made by journalists, before receiving official communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship.
According to CR Hoy, at 10:25 in the morning Abarca stated that he was unaware of any decision related to his dismissal. However, approximately 55 minutes later, he confirmed that he had received the corresponding notification.
"I had no idea until they asked me, and then they sent me the notification a little while ago," the official told the newspaper La Nación.
Subsequently, through a public statement, the diplomat confirmed his departure and thanked former president Rodrigo Chaves Robles, during whose administration he was appointed to represent the country in Mexican territory.
"I have been notified of the termination of my appointment as ambassador to the United Mexican States. I thank former president Rodrigo Chaves for the opportunity to represent Costa Rica in a country as extraordinary as Mexico," he stated.
Abarca added that "from now until November 14 I will be focused on closing out my tenure," confirming that he will continue serving...
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Pablo Heriberto Abarca, former congressman of the Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), has been removed from his post as Costa Rica's ambassador to Mexico. The Government of Costa Rica, led by President Laura Fernández Delgado, dismissed Pablo Heriberto Abarca this Friday, October 16, who had been serving as the Central American country's ambassador to Mexico since August 2022. The decision was confirmed by the diplomat himself, who said he initially learned of his dismissal through inquiries made by journalists, before receiving official communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship. According to CR Hoy, at 10:25 in the morning Abarca stated that he was unaware of any decision related to his dismissal. However, approximately 55 minutes later, he confirmed that he had received the corresponding notification.
"I had no idea until they asked me, and then they sent me the notification a little while ago," the official told the newspaper La Nación. Later, in a public statement, the diplomat confirmed his departure and thanked former president Rodrigo Chaves Robles, during whose administration he was appointed to represent the country in Mexican territory.
"I have been notified of the termination of my appointment as ambassador to the United Mexican States. I thank former president Rodrigo Chaves for the opportunity to represent Costa Rica in a country as extraordinary as Mexico," he said. Abarca added that "from now until November 14 I will be focused on closing out my tenure," confirming that he will continue performing his diplomatic duties over the coming weeks.
Pablo Heriberto Abarca is a Costa Rican politician who served as a congressman for the Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC) during the 2018-2022 period, during which he also served as head of his legislative caucus. After completing his time in the Legislative Assembly, he was appointed ambassador of Costa Rica to Mexico on August 3, 2022, and sworn in a week later. His appointment came during the first months of Rodrigo Chaves's government, who assumed the presidency in May of that year.
The diplomat's departure ends a tenure of more than four years at the head of Costa Rica's representation in Mexico, although it has not yet been announced who will assume the post.
The diplomat said he initially learned of it through the media and later received official notification of his dismissal.
Abarca's time at the embassy was also marked by some public questioning. In April 2023, it came to light that the then-ambassador had received a gift from a Mexican bullfighting businessman and had disclosed information about a supposed "bullfighting alliance" related to Ganadería 3X, a company linked to his family. As CR Hoy recalled, the case raised doubts about possible commercial interests. However, Abarca denied any intention of economically benefiting his relatives and maintained that he had made a mistake by using the word "alliance." The Foreign Ministry opened a preliminary investigation, but in July 2023 the government announced it would not open a disciplinary administrative proceeding against the diplomat over that episode. Questions also surfaced regarding statements about former congresswoman Vanessa Castro and contacts with representatives of the Mexican company Tradeco.
Abarca's departure coincides with a series of recent changes in the leadership of Costa Rican foreign policy. Just one day earlier, on October 15, Ana Elena Pinto Lizano formally took office as the new minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship, replacing Manuel Tovar.
Ana Elena Pinto Lizano was sworn in this Thursday, October 15, as Costa Rica's new foreign minister, becoming the first career ambassador to hold that post. Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship
Tovar had been dismissed on September 24, after President Laura Fernández questioned that he had not promptly informed her about a meeting related to the Shield of the Americas initiative, promoted by the United States. Added to these moves is the departure of Deputy Foreign Minister Adriana Bolaños Argueta, announced days before Pinto's arrival.
As of Friday afternoon, the Costa Rican Foreign Ministry had not publicly communicated the specific reasons for Abarca's dismissal. Nor has it been announced who will replace the former congressman at the head of Costa Rica's diplomatic representation in Mexico once his tenure officially ends on November 14.