Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla officially dismissed Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar on Thursday following his attendance at a private meeting in New York. The event, which focused on the “Shield of the Americas” anti-cartel alliance, was led by former U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

According to the President, Tovar failed to consult with her or receive approval before participating in the high-level security discussion. President Chinchilla emphasized that as the head of state, she was the appropriate representative for such a meeting, and characterized Tovar’s independent action as a breach of protocol that resulted in “great strategic damage” to Costa Rica’s foreign policy interests.

While the administration has framed the firing as a necessary response to a breakdown in communication and diplomatic hierarchy, the incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding how the current Costa Rican government manages its international security partnerships. The administration maintains that the lack of transparency regarding the meeting undermined the country's official diplomatic position. Tovar has not yet issued a detailed public rebuttal regarding the specific nature of the discussions held at the meeting or the circumstances surrounding his departure.