Editor’s note: The views expressed by guest columnists are not necessarily those of The Costa Rica Star, its advertisers, or its staff.

By Britt Nelson

There is much speculation going around about how the new President–elect Trump administration and his evolving foreign policy might affect Costa Rica along with the rest of Central America.

Immediately after Trump won the presidency, the presidents of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras and El Salvador have gone on record congratulating Trump’s victory and expressing solidarity with the new Trump administration. This is a step in the right direction even though it remains to be seen how Central America will be affected by Trump’s hardball policies regarding immigration and trade.

Mexico is now faced with major border problems as is all of Central America for that matter, but the thousands of illegal immigrants flowing through Central America bound for Mexico’s northern border with the United States will soon be stopped leaving these people stranded in Mexico, a situation Mexico does not want but will have to deal with if Trump gets his way with sealing the Mexican/USA border to illegals.

Now under serious consideration in Mexico is building a southern wall strengthening and sealing the borders between Guatemala and Belize to keep out illegals from Africa, Haiti, Cuba and other counties that have been entering South America mostly through Ecuador and moving north through Central America into Mexico with the goal of entering the United States. This flow of humanity must somehow be controlled, and a reasonable solution devised.

Republican presidential winner Donald J. Trump has promised sweeping changes in the way the USA does business all around the world. He says the day has come for raising import taxes across the board, meaning it will cost more for businesses worldwide to export their products and services to the United States.

This cannot be good for Central America, but Trump won on his appeals to make America number one and stop losing billions on international trade deals that favor corporate enrichment at the expense of U.S. jobs and taxes. Nevertheless, Central American leaders must try to reach out and hope for the best.

“The people of the U.S. have elected Mr. Donald Trump as their President,” commented Costa Rica’s President Luis Solis on Twitter. “Congratulations, Mr. Trump, my best wishes for your term.”

Much the same sentiment was expressed in Honduras.

“Congratulations United States on your elections,” said Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, a conservative. “The people decided … To success between USA/Honduras relations.”

Costa Rica is hoping for an influx of Americans leaving the U.S. because of Trump winning the presidency. Many real estate companies are openly promoting leaving the United States for Costa Rica and not Canada as many Hollywood celebrities, famous singers and others have threatened to do.

But those wanting to resettle in Canada will find that Canada has strong immigration laws, and becoming a long-term Canadian resident is a long-drawn-out process that will cause them to rethink their anti-Trump sentiments and rethink what country would best suit them if they turn their back on America because of Trump.

Century 21 in Jacó Beach reports having two new clients, one woman and one man, who are making changes in their lives due to Trump winning the presidency. The woman is moving soon to Costa Rica and the man is already in Jacó but will be selling off his property in the U.S. and will remain in Jacó, says long-time Jacó realtor Tom Ghormley.

Costa Rica is high on the list for retirees looking to live abroad and it has been for years, but now an influx of Americans to this beautiful and diverse country will bring perhaps higher real estate values that tanked as the economy soured starting around 2007 and continuing to be sluggish today. The country is expecting a banner year for tourism in Costa Rica in 2017 as potential new residents scout out this land of wonders so close to North America, but a world away. Hardly a day goes by without seeing a Costa Rica news story about airlines adding flights to Costa Rica from the states, Canada, Europe and even the Orient.

Another benefit for Costa Ricans is that stronger borders to the north will lead to increased illegal drug raids throughout Mexico and Central America that will hopefully reduce the availability of cocaine, heroin, meth and other hard drugs on the streets of America, Costa Rica and the rest of Central America. Government and law enforcement corruption is what feeds the illicit drug business everywhere it thrives like in the Phillippines.

Recently elected Philippine President Duterte has initiated zero tolerance; shoot-to-kill anti-drug policies in his country and news reports say his police officers have killed thousands of large and small drug dealers and some dirty politicians who refused to surrender. These controversial measures are the result of widespread government corruption in the Philippines that has gone on unchecked for decades. Duterte campaigned on the promise to finally get rid of the drug problem by any means necessary and he won his country’s support in a landslide win much like Trump has done in the United States.

Just what the specifics of Trump’s emerging trade and immigration policies will be are yet to be known. But if Costa Rica and the rest of Central America are to come out on top it’s imperative that these governments warm up to Trump and join hands with his administration in every way possible, and be there at the table when these decisions are being developed and implemented. This is no time for Costa Rica to sit back and watch what happens.

Ninety percent of life is just showing up on time and the same goes for Costa Rica as it embraces a future with Trump. For those Americans desiring to escape a Trump presidency, come on down to the open arms of Costa Rica and cozy up to some joltingly-strong coffee, grilled red snapper, unbeatable sunsets and local cervezas. Pura Vida!

 

About the Author

Britt Nelson relocated to Costa Rica in 2011 from Florida, where he served as news editor for the Palatka Daily News, a newspaper owned by the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group (NYT-RNG) for 20 years.

Nelson served the NYT-RNG for 18 years in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida as a correspondent, reporter, staff writer, senior staff writer training new reporters, copy editor, page designer, editorial writer, editorial page editor and editorial board member.