Q COSTA RICA — The Costa Rican government held a farewell ceremony for the ambassadors of Colombia, Peru, and Italy, who concluded their respective diplomatic missions in the country after several years of work focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The ceremony was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Manuel Tovar, in the Golden Hall of the Casa Amarilla (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), where the minister thanked the three diplomats for their work and highlighted the contributions each made to consolidating relations between Costa Rica and their nations.
The honorees were Carlos Rodríguez Mejía, Ambassador of Colombia; Carlos Guillermo Hakansson Nieto, Ambassador of Peru; and Alberto Colella, the Italian ambassador, who received official recognition before concluding their duties and returning to their respective countries.
A recognition of diplomacy
During the official ceremony, Tovar emphasized that the ambassadors’ work was crucial in strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation that Costa Rica maintains with Colombia, Peru, and Italy.
The minister indicated that, during their years of service, the diplomats promoted a broad work agenda that allowed progress on projects of common interest and consolidated spaces for dialogue between the governments.
Among the main contributions, he mentioned the boost to trade relations, the attraction of job-creating investments, the strengthening of technical cooperation, and the development of student, scientific, and artistic exchange programs.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these initiatives have contributed to strengthening the relationship between Costa Rica and the three countries, fostering not only institutional ties but also exchanges between universities, companies, cultural organizations, and research centers.
The three ambassadors are concluding an important stage in their diplomatic careers after representing their countries in Costa Rica for different periods.
The Italian ambassador, Alberto Colella, presented his credentials in 2022, becoming the official representative of the Italian government in the country. A year later, in 2023, the Colombian ambassador, Carlos Rodríguez Mejía, assumed his duties, while the Peruvian representative, Carlos Guillermo Hakansson Nieto, began his diplomatic mission in 2024.
During that time, the three diplomats participated in high-level meetings, official activities, business gatherings, cultural events, and cooperation projects that strengthened the relationship between their governments and Costa Rican institutions.
In addition to representing the interests of their countries, the ambassadors played an important role as bridges to promote investment opportunities, encourage tourism, foster academic exchanges, and facilitate political dialogue on regional and international issues.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the long history of diplomatic relations between Costa Rica and Colombia, Peru, and Italy.
The three ambassadors recalled that official ties with these nations span more than 150 years, a period during which relationships have been built on cooperation, mutual respect, and ongoing exchange in various fields.
In their farewell messages, they all expressed their confidence that the bonds between the countries will continue to strengthen, regardless of the diplomatic transition.
They also expressed their gratitude for the hospitality received during their stay in Costa Rica and stated that they will retain a deep appreciation for the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that these values have allowed for the consolidation of trusting relationships with numerous international partners and facilitate the development of joint initiatives in areas such as trade, sustainability, education, culture, and innovation.
The ceremony concluded with an official recognition from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which expressed gratitude for the work carried out by the three ambassadors during their respective missions.
With their departure, Costa Rica prepares to welcome the new diplomatic representatives from Colombia, Peru, and Italy, who will be tasked with continuing a bilateral agenda built over decades and underpinned by a friendship spanning more than a century and a half.