Costa Rica has taken a further step in consolidating its diplomatic presence in the Caribbean with the accreditation of H.E. Catalina Crespo-Sancho as non-resident Ambassador to The Bahamas. The Ambassador presented her credentials to Dame Cynthia A. Pratt, Governor-General of The Bahamas, in Nassau, completing a process that positions San José to pursue closer bilateral and regional cooperation. This move is strategically timed as Costa Rica expands its 2026 maritime security operations and seeks to diversify its $17.36 million export market in the archipelago.
Beyond ceremony, the engagement in Nassau focused on substantive issues shaping the region’s diplomatic agenda. Ambassador Crespo-Sancho met with Bahamian officials to discuss areas such as trade -which is currently led by $8.27 million in edible preparations and $4.45 million in glass exports -security cooperation, climate policy, and regional coordination. These discussions carry direct policy and economic implications, particularly as both nations seek to move beyond competing for the same North American “sun and sand” tourists toward a collaborative “Green-Blue” regional tourism model.
Costa Rica’s regional diplomacy is anchored in partnership and a clear sense of purpose. Cooperation with The Bahamas fits within a broader approach that treats dialogue as a working tool, particularly in areas such as maritime security. As Costa Rica lacks a standing army, it relies on international frameworks; notably, the nation recently approved the access of up to 195 U.S. Coast Guard vessels for 2026 to support its National Coast Guard Service. This accreditation allows for tighter coordination on shared maritime threats, climate resilience, and sustainable economic activity that affect the wider Caribbean and Central America.
Credit: Catalina Crespo-Sancho / LinkedIn
Ambassador Crespo-Sancho brings to her role a professional background rooted in public service and institutional reform. Before her appointment as Ambassador to the United States and non-resident Ambassador to The Bahamas, she led Costa Rica’s National Human Rights Institution as ombudsperson, working on institutional reform and engaging in international human rights processes. This background is pivotal as she manages the relationship from Washington D.C., a central hub for the Organization of American States (OAS) and multilateral funding for Caribbean climate initiatives.
Readers seeking additional context on her diplomatic outlook may refer to her earlier interview with Diplomatic Watch, where she discussed Costa Rica’s foreign policy philosophy and its emphasis on cooperation and coalition-building. The interview is available here:
Diplomatic Watch has also reported on her receipt of the WECAA Award, which recognized her leadership in public service and human rights. That coverage is available here:
The accreditation in Nassau adds to Costa Rica’s ongoing diplomatic engagement in the Caribbean and aligns with the country’s focus on maintaining steady, issue-driven relationships across the region.
