Recent communications by Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterate the country’s allegiance to, and respect of, International Law and Human Rights with regard to the conflict in Syria.

The diplomatic mission of  Costa Rica to the United Nations expressed the Central American nation’s repudiation of the use of chemical weapons in any circumstance, but above all when they are used massively against the civilian population. Costa Rica also laments the extreme suffering that the people of Syria have been subject to for over two years.

Costa Rica exhorted the international community to utilize mechanisms valid only within the context of multilateralism in order to guarantee the safety of the Syrian people. Costa Rica also called on the UN Security Council to operate with effectiveness and to structure an adequate response with regard to the Council’s duty to protect as chartered by the UN.

The Costa Rican ambassador to the UN assured that the results of the UN Investigative Team are fundamental in order to made a decision with regard to the types of action that could be approved only by the UN Security Council. With this statement, Costa Rica is essentially agreeing that there is a need for action such as airstrikes against Syrian military targets. Given the background of the nation as a peaceful mediator that prefers non-violent conflict resolution, Costa Rica’s approval of tactical airstrikes is rare but understandable; after all, the use of chemical weapons against civilians is a very serious issue that must be swiftly dealt with.

Sensing that Costa Rica’s new stance on the conflict was unbecoming a peaceful and non-military nation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a second communication as means of clarification:

“As an unarmed and peaceful nation that proclaims to the world her neutrality with regard to armed conflict, urges the UN Security Council to make decisions and effective actions to stop the massacre in Syria, protect the civil population and keep the peace. That is the essential mission per the UN Charter.

Costa Rica will not approve of any military action outside of the framework of the United Nations.”

The Costa Rica Star recently published an article that illustrated the country’s view of the conflict in Syria, and how the world is disappointed at the Arab League for their failure to negotiate the removal of President Bashar al-Assad, the cancer of Syria. Until this recent communique by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Costa Rica had been adamantly opposed to military intervention. Now she seems to be supporting a peacekeeping mission.