The armed conflict between Iran and the United States has forced President Carlos Alvarado to cancel an official visit to the United Arab Emirates that was to be later this month.

The president announced on his social networks that he and his entourage will no longer travel to the Middle East for the visit 44/5000which was scheduled from January 12 to 16, and that the visit will be rescheduled.
Hilo- Reprogramaremos la visita a los Emiratos Árabes Unidos. Reiteramos nuestra amistad con Emiratos y nuestra convicción para trabajar en conjunto los proyectos planteados. (1/2)
— Carlos Alvarado Quesada (@CarlosAlvQ) January 8, 2020
“We will reschedule the visit to the United Arab Emirates. We reiterate our friendship with Emirates and our conviction to work together on the proposed projects.
“Costa Rica calls for peace in the different regions in conflict, especially in the Middle East. That dialogue and respect for rights are always the way to resolve differences,” he said.
The purpose of the trip was “to attract financing for projects that promote the development and closing of gaps in peripheral areas, particularly in rural and coastal territories.”
An Emirati mission had visited the country last June to learn about investment possibilities, for example, the development of a Pacific port and the development of export lines for meats and other Costa Rican goods.