Today, U.S. President Barack Obama arrives in Costa Rica as part
of a trip to promote trade and business ties, discuss the
implications of U.S. immigration reform for the region, and
address security issues in Central America and Mexico. Compared
with past visits of U.S. presidents to the country, which were
major events, Obama’s trip is generating little excitement,
despite his personal popularity in Costa Rica. There are a
number of possible reasons for this, including an uninspiring
agenda, few opportunities for the public to see and hear Obama
and Costa Ricans’ disgust with their own politicians. According
to polls, President Laura Chinchilla is the least popular leader
in the Western Hemisphere, which dampens Costa Ricans’ interest
in politics, generally. However, the best explanation is that
the relationship between Costa Rica and the U.S. has changed
fundamentally over the past few decades, making a U.S.
presidential visit seem less significant than it used to. When
U.S. President John F. Kennedy visit