LatinNews Daily - 21 February 2025

*Costa Rica’s small opposition Partido Liberal Progresista (PLP) has denounced the decision by the US to revoke the visas of two of its deputies, Johana Obando and Cynthia Córdoba, who according to the local media had been very critical of the 2023 decision by the right-of-centre government led by President Rodrigo Chaves to bar Chinese multinational technology company Huawei from bidding to supply 5G telecoms technology in public procurement auctions. The US’ decision follows a recent visit to Costa Rica by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of a tour of the sub-region where he met President Chaves and the two discussed cybersecurity and “the importance of 5G [technology]”, and Rubio pledged support for Costa Rica’s efforts to bar “companies that pose a threat to national security or economic security”. Writing on social media Obando slammed the US’ decision as having “crossed the line of Costa Rican sovereignty”. Accusing the US of “coercive action” against the deputies, Obando said it was “the first time that a foreign government had taken measures against Costa Rican public officials who were carrying out their duties”. The PLP has six seats in the 57-member unicameral legislature.