Costa Rica’s New President Moves To Restore Jerusalem Embassy

Costa Rica’s new president, Laura Fernández Delgado, told Israeli President Isaac Herzog that she wants to upgrade her country’s diplomatic representation in Jerusalem to an embassy, Herzog’s office said Sunday.

The statement came during Fernández’s first official meeting as president, shortly after her May 8 inauguration in San José. If carried out, the move would reverse Costa Rica’s decision two decades ago to relocate its embassy from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.

Costa Rica currently has a trade and innovation office in Jerusalem with diplomatic status, part of growing cooperation between the two countries in technology, investment and trade. Fernández’s reported proposal would turn that representation into a full embassy.

The meeting came during a broader Israeli diplomatic push in Latin America, where officials say ties with several countries are improving despite international criticism of Israel over the war in Gaza. Herzog traveled to Costa Rica for Fernández’s inauguration and held meetings with several leaders on the sidelines. 

His meetings included Spain’s King Felipe VI, Chilean President José Antonio Kast, Honduran President Nasry Asfura, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo and Dominican President Rodolfo Abinader Corona. Hebrew media also reported that Chile and Honduras are expected to return their ambassadors to Israel.

“I was moved to see the depth of appreciation for Israel, the great interest in its capabilities, and the recognition of its unique contribution to humanity,” Herzog said at the conclusion of his visit. “In contrast to many voices on the international stage, a positive trend of change, tightening of ties and deepening of cooperation with Israel is evident in Latin America.”

Costa Rica previously maintained its embassy in Jerusalem, but moved it to Tel Aviv in 2006 under then-President Oscar Arias. At the time, Arias said the Jerusalem location harmed Costa Rica’s international standing and its relations with the Arab world.

A return to Jerusalem would place Costa Rica among a limited group of countries that have opened embassies in Israel’s capital. Seven countries currently maintain embassies there: the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

Most countries that have diplomatic relations with Israel still keep their embassies in Tel Aviv or nearby areas, due to the political sensitivities surrounding Jerusalem. U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to move the American embassy to Jerusalem during his first term encouraged several other countries to follow, though additional moves slowed during the war after Ocotber 7.

No timetable has been announced for the possible Costa Rican embassy move, and the statement has so far come from Herzog’s office. Still, Israel is likely to view Fernández’s message as a significant early signal from a new president, especially after it was delivered in her first official meeting after taking office.