Q COSTA RICA — Ana Elena Pinto Lizano is the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, assuming the role following the dismissal of Manuel Tovar Rivera on September 24.
The appointment concludes the transition period that began after Tovar’s departure; he was removed from office by President Laura Fernández after participating in an event for the “Shield of the Americas” (Escudo de las Américas) initiative without informing the president beforehand.
As reported by the Presidential House at the time, Tovar participated in a “Shield of the Americas” session in New York on September 22—an event linked to U.S. authorities—without having communicated the details of the activity to Fernández in advance. The government noted that the oversight prevented the president from participating in a high-level meeting led by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Fernández later stated that there were “errors that cannot be overlooked” when referring to the decision to remove the foreign minister.
The new foreign minister is a career diplomat with over two decades of experience in Costa Rica’s Foreign Service.
Ana Elena Pinto Lizano is an international relations specialist holding a Master’s degree in International Management and Negotiations from the State Distance Learning University (UNED), as well as a postgraduate diploma in Diplomatic Training from the Centre for Diplomatic and Strategic Studies (CEDS) in Paris, France.
Throughout her career, she has held various positions of responsibility, both in Costa Rican missions abroad and within the Foreign Ministry itself.
Her professional background includes roles related to foreign policy, international relations, international negotiation, multilateral organizations, international cooperation, and the promotion of the economy, tourism, and culture.
Her most recent responsibilities include serving as Costa Rica’s ambassador to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco, as well as permanent delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and representative to the International Organization of La Francophonie.
This appointment means that a career diplomat will now directly lead the country’s foreign policy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship.
Pinto arrives at the Foreign Ministry during a period of institutional restructuring triggered by the dismissal of Tovar, who had been appointed by Fernández at the start of her administration on May 8, 2026.
The new head of the ministry will take charge of an agenda that includes bilateral relations, participation in multilateral organizations, international cooperation, the promotion of Costa Rican interests abroad, and monitoring key international policy issues.