The Political and Economic Section serves as a liaison between the U.S. and Costa Rican governments, often working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on issues under consideration at the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and in other fora.

The Section reports to U.S. government agencies about political and economic developments in Costa Rica as well as Costa Rica’s foreign policy. Staff members analyze macroeconomic trends and trade policies and their potential impact on U.S. interests, and they inform U.S. businesses about the local investment climate. The Section follows issues relating to human rights, trafficking in persons, labor rights, and refugees.

The Political and Economic Section directs U.S. government expertise, training, and material assistance to important governmental and non-governmental programs in Costa Rica. It provides training and equipment to help the government of Costa Rica increase the capacity of its law enforcement agencies to deal with rising crime levels and confront drug trafficking in the region. The Section also serves as the liaison for U.S. Department of Treasury experts who advise the government of Costa Rica on debt management, infrastructure financing, and money laundering. It collaborates with non-governmental organizations that receive U.S. government funding for work on issues ranging from the enhancement of Ministry of Labor inspection capacity, to the provision of micro-credit loans to female refugee entrepreneurs, to stemming the tide of human trafficking in the sex industry.