24 September 2026

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica Manuel Tovar Rivera stressed the global importance of non-recognition of the attempted illegal annexation of Crimea

“It’s more than 11,000 kilometers separate Costa Rica from Crimea. Yet the outcome of this war also matters to my country. If the attempted illegal annexation of Crimea is ultimately accepted, it will have proven that the use of force can change borders. Costa Rica rejects this premise. We reject the notion that aggression creates rights. We reject the idea that the passage of time can transform an unlawful act into a new political reality”.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Manuel Tovar Rivera, delivered a decisive address reaffirming Costa Rica’s steadfast commitment to the principles of international law, the UN Charter, and the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea.

The Foreign Minister stressed that the outcome in Crimea will establish a critical precedent for international security and small nations worldwide.

“What happens in Crimea will not be confined to Ukraine. It will set a precedent. A precedent for every territorial conflict or dispute, every border, and every state that relies on the protection afforded by the Charter of the United Nations. Our security depends on the respect for the international rules, and the international community maintaining a clear and consistent position against the acquisition of territory by the use of force. For that reason, Costa Rica affirms its support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea,” the Minister emphasized.

In addition to upholding territorial sovereignty, Costa Rica reiterated its demand for full compliance with international humanitarian law and accountability for war crimes.

“We also reiterate our call for the release of all detained persons, the return of deported children, and accountability for violations of international law. The choice before us is straightforward. Costa Rica has made its choice. Defending Crimea is defending the Charter of the United Nations, and defending the Charter is defending the principle that no border can be withdrawn by force,” concluded Manuel Tovar Rivera.