US Ambassador to the UN will seek to strengthen democracy on her trip to Costa Rica and Ecuador

The United States ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who will visit Costa Rica and Ecuador this week, will focus her speech on democracy as one of her main commitments, a senior US government official told the media.

Thomas-Greenfield will be in Costa Rica, a country that is co-hosting the Second Summit for Democracywhich will take place from March 29 to 30, 2023.

“As head of the United States delegation in Costa Rica for the Second Democracy Summit, Thomas-Greenfield will highlight the importance of strengthening democratic resilience around the world and increasing youth participation in the democratic process,” said the president. high Commissioner.

The official added, who asked not to be named, that they will also discuss how to strengthen democracy “at a time when we see democratic setbacks in the region and throughout the world.”

In Central America, the democratic issue is the object of alert by civil society organizations and political analysts who warn of the authoritarian drift of President Daniel Ortega, in Nicaragua, but also of the abuses of power of the Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele and of corruption that dots the one from Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei.

In this sense, the senior official stated that Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield will seek to encourage the participation of young people in the democratic process at the Democracy Summit.

“It will call on young people to get involved and governments to put young people at the head of the table so that together we can build a more inclusive, freer and more democratic world.”

Strengthen the relationship with Ecuador and Costa Rica

On the other hand, Thomas-Greenfield will affirm the close association with Ecuador and Costa Rica “to assume shared priorities.”

Regarding Costa Rica, the senior official highlighted that this country has shown constant leadership in multilateral organizations, in finding diplomatic solutions to counteract authoritarianism, and has shown strong leadership in promoting respect for human rights and democratic governance in the whole region.

While from Ecuador he stressed that it has been a “solid” partner in South America.

Finally, the US official “will shed light on humanitarian challenges”, specifically in regards to meeting the humanitarian and protection needs of refugees and asylum seekers.

Ecuador is home to more than half a million refugees and migrants, including a large Venezuelan population, while Costa Rica is the largest recipient of Nicaraguans fleeing the political crisis, the US official said.

For that reason, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield will meet with UN agencies and NGOs that support the resettlement of refugees in Ecuador, and will speak with migrant families and other forcibly displaced people, including Nicaraguans seeking asylum in Costa Rica.

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