US supports Costa Rica’s 5G plan despite Chinese criticism

Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The United States’ support for Costa Rica’s 5G technology development plan has been reaffirmed amid criticism from China. The U.S. embassy in the Central American country issued a statement backing the Costa Rican government’s work to regulate and implement reliable 5G networks.

This support was publicized following a meeting between Costa Rican president Rodrigo Chaves and a U.S. delegation specialized in security and technology, made up of Anne Neuberger, Nathaniel C. Fick and Cynthia Telles.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss shared priorities in cybersecurity and telecommunications and culminated in explicit U.S. support for Costa Rica’s push towards 5G technology. This push includes a controversial decree signed by Chaves in 2023, which restricts the participation of companies from countries that have not signed the Budapest Treaty, therefore excluding Chinese companies.

This measure has generated criticism from the Chinese embassy in San José, which claimed possible geopolitical interests lay behind the decision.

Despite China’s objections, the U.S. Embassy avoided addressing these concerns and focused on supporting the regulation and effective implementation of 5G networks in Costa Rica. In addition, it highlighted the concern expressed by the U.S. Southern Command, particularly General Laura Richardson, about China’s intentions in the development of critical infrastructure, including 5G networks, for their potential dual use and possible military application.

U.S.-Costa Rica cooperation in cybersecurity was also reinforced as a result of the meeting, with a donation of nearly $10 million announced by Richardson and a total investment amounting to $25 million. Part of the donations will be destined towards the implementation of a virtual Cybersecurity Operations Center to protect Costa Rican government networks, helping to quickly detect and respond to potential threats.

Main source:

EE. UU. apoya plan sobre 5G que impulsa Costa Rica frente a críticas de China (2024, 9 de abril).
https://semanariouniversidad.com/pais/ee-uu-apoya-plan-sobre-5g-que-impulsa-costa-rica-frente-a-criticas-de-china/

Other related sources:

El País (30 de octubre, de 2023). https://elpais.com/america-futura/2023-10-30/el-sueno-del-5g-mete-a-costa-rica-en-el-pleito-de-elefantes-entre-ee-uu-y-china.html