Laura Fernández Delgado, the President of Costa Rica, has expressed her support for the diplomatic and economic pressures that the United States is applying on the Cuban regime. In an exclusive interview with NTN24 aired this Friday, she emphasized that there is no room for ambiguity when confronting a dictatorship that oppresses its own people.
Fernández drew a clear moral line, stating, "In a democracy, some things are not in gray areas; they are either right or wrong. When facing any dictator who oppresses their people with hunger and denies them the chance to live with dignity, there is no room for gray."
The president expanded on her stance by highlighting the dire situation in Cuba, which she believes warrants the use of any available pressure tools: "When human lives are at stake, when everything has been lost under the yoke of a dictatorship, when there are no decent jobs, no clean water, no employment opportunities... every diplomatic and economic measure is valid."
Costa Rica's Firm Stance on Cuban Diplomacy
Fernández confirmed Costa Rica's decision to withdraw its embassy from Havana, a move initiated by her predecessor, Rodrigo Chaves, in March, and affirmed it as her own. She described this step as "a sign of support for the democratization process" that she hopes will soon benefit Cuban citizens. As of April 1st, diplomatic relations between the two nations have been limited to consular matters, with services for Costa Ricans managed from Panama.
Assuming office on May 8th after winning the election with 48.5% of the vote, Fernández has championed a firm approach to crime and structural reform of the state. Even before taking office, the then-president-elect endorsed breaking diplomatic ties with Cuba and, in May, welcomed Cuban opposition leader Orlando Gutiérrez Boronat to San José, further aligning her government with the cause of freedom on the island.
Alignment with U.S. Policies
This alignment extends to Washington as well. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Fernández after her electoral victory, indicating mutual understanding between the two governments regarding hemispheric policy.
Fernández's remarks come amid an unprecedented escalation in U.S. pressure on the regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel. Since January 2026, the Trump administration has imposed over 240 sanctions, targeting GAESA and its president on May 7th, and by June 4th, extending measures directly to President Díaz-Canel, his wife Lis Cuesta, and Alejandro Castro Espín, son of former dictator Raúl Castro. Trump also signed Executive Order 14404, broadening secondary sanctions to foreign companies and banks dealing with sanctioned Cuban entities.
Humanitarian Crisis in Cuba
Under these measures, coupled with the ongoing multidimensional crisis in Cuba, the island's situation has become bleak: power outages lasting over 20 hours daily in some areas, and even reaching 30 to 40 hours; an electric deficit exceeding 2,000 MW repeated in May and June, and severe shortages of food, water, and medicine. The average monthly pension for senior citizens is just about 9 dollars. The humanitarian crisis engulfing Cuba prompted the UN to launch a 94.1 million dollar response plan to assist approximately two million people, though as of early June, less than a third of the funding had been secured.
Regarding Venezuela, Fernández was equally forthright in supporting the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the United States, describing it as "a beacon for all who hope for Venezuela's return to a democratic path," and reiterated that "Costa Rica supports all international actions through appropriate diplomatic channels to ensure Venezuela's freedom."
Understanding U.S. and Costa Rican Policies on Cuba
What measures has the United States taken against the Cuban regime?
The U.S. has imposed over 240 sanctions targeting key figures and entities associated with the Cuban government, including GAESA, its president, and extending to President Miguel Díaz-Canel and his family, as part of a broader strategy to pressure the regime.
How has Costa Rica responded diplomatically to the situation in Cuba?
Costa Rica has withdrawn its embassy from Havana, reducing diplomatic relations to consular services managed from Panama, as a stance against the Cuban regime and in support of democratic processes.
What is the current humanitarian situation in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing severe crises, including extensive power outages, food and medicine shortages, and inadequate living conditions, prompting a UN response plan seeking 94.1 million dollars in aid.