LatinNews Daily - 24 October 2023

* The Central American exporters’ group Federación de Cámaras y Asociaciones Industriales de Centroamérica y República Dominicana (Fecaica) has issued a statement expressing concern about the disruption to trade caused by mutual visa requirements imposed by Costa Rica and Honduras on each other. A Fecaica statement warns of the negative impact on trade, underlining that this is directly affecting not only the stability of supply chains and intra-regional relations, but also the jobs of “thousands of Honduran and Costa Rican families”. Both countries have announced that a high-level delegation from Honduras, comprising Security Minister Gustavo Sánchez, the deputy foreign minister, Gerardo Torres Zelaya, and head of migration (INM), Allan Alvarenga, will travel to Costa Rica today to meet their counterparts and discuss the issue. Earlier this month the Costa Rican government led by President Rodrigo Chaves announced it was imposing visa requirements on Hondurans, citing security concerns. This prompted the Honduran government to respond in kind. A statement dated 17 October by Costa Rica’s chamber of industry (CICR) said that it had carried out a survey regarding the impact of the new rules on trade. It found that 73% of businesses consulted that operate in the region reported delays in commercial operations; 53% had cargo detained en route; 47% reported additional costs as a result of the situation; and 27% reported shortages of primary materials.