[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":56,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6355445,"mediaKeyId","2218335-31a7bb492ef38cab830c452f9695815c","parentId",2218335,"title","Rubio defends temporary U.S. foreign aid freeze, says waivers protect lifesaving programs","audioSeconds",329,"startMs",1119310,"endMs",1448545,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2218335-31a7bb492ef38cab830c452f9695815c&start=1119&end=1448","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2218335-31a7bb492ef38cab830c452f9695815c/thumbnail_1119310.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6355445/Rubio-defends-temporary-US-foreign-aid-freeze-says-waivers-protect-lifesaving-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355445-3d1a988571c8e4876bd51ba82c82d01a/orig.mp4?Expires=1774942501&Signature=LgAYrMABRI6vrWsStH4r8vDoi03I17qWiwy6T6LPUji0SJ6RqHDcoteDTYNa~ZPj3~d-8gw6tGTN8B5PFp6mPy8G2gsNUorUQjheu13PEVCnaZmv6fiHlZRCOqMoN41EDqPe0qRIcrfI5ag-lNY3oC5Z1Wy9MeSvlD7M5kRYTHmR-z3qMTpXTD~itXyBMdK4XbeiziP~cVyzE0I6MSO4T9rmAea0gND6~VoG1sldHwkD1p78~zoTmPMQjz6tKcJV1-UVfMecx3qk8lg4FbKZaQ0qSJtQOPVpYdz6aeonfcmvpGX-I6EIWZ~Jjmp19Pj5Zx2ti1cBKudLmWCBVXN0WQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-04T18:51:07Z","article","U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration’s recent, temporary freeze on selected foreign‑assistance programs and described a waiver process intended to exempt life‑saving or strategically important programs.

\"We froze foreign aid so that we can review those programs,\" Rubio said. He said the waiver process exists to allow continued funding for programs that are life saving or that advance U.S. national security, and that waivers had been issued for programs assisting Costa Rica to stop drugs and identify threats. \"If it saves lives, if it's emergency life saving aid, food, medicine, whatever, they have a waiver,\" he said.

Rubio criticized aspects of USAID program delivery, saying in some cases multiple contractors and overhead reduce the share of funds reaching intended recipients. He cited USAID figures, saying in some instances \"10, 12, 13%, maybe less of the money was actually reaching the recipient,\" and said the administration will insist on aid that \"furthers the national interest of the United States.\"

He emphasized support for foreign aid that demonstrably advances U.S. security and prosperity but said programs that do not should be eliminated or reconsidered. Rubio also repeated that the temporary freeze was accompanied by waivers to prevent immediate humanitarian harm.

The press exchange did not provide new budget totals, contract names, or a public list of all waiver recipients; Rubio criticized organizations that he said do not understand the waiver process or may be \"deliberately sabotaging\" it. He said the freeze and review will be used to align aid with stated U.S. objectives for the region.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Secretary Rubio holds a joint press availability with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves","oneSentenceSummary","U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described a 90‑day freeze on foreign aid that allows waivers for life‑saving and national‑security programs. He criticized USAID overhead and said funds should advance U.S. interests; he announced waivers had been issued for Costa Rica for programs that help intercept drugs and terrorists.","taxTitle","US Department of State","taxId",9719,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":56,"_72":56,"_73":56},6355450,"Officials stress 5G security and cyber cooperation; Rubio warns against untrusted vendors",375,295730,671245,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2218335-31a7bb492ef38cab830c452f9695815c&start=295&end=671","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2218335-31a7bb492ef38cab830c452f9695815c/thumbnail_295730.jpg","/articles/6355450/Officials-stress-5G-security-and-cyber-cooperation-Rubio-warns-against-untrusted-vendors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355450-4d856f16f45fa5b430b89ca1e6a59645/orig.mp4?Expires=1774942501&Signature=KpLqQsfvF4fRf5HDH4AXNs4Rw8VXCJ0DtdAfaKOX4Rww2PVnoMlL2Yr-vm1FTrBqqhNl3xQrhxO~JiBWlaeS~CT0RCrpIkpRERD6ov8suPg9HWsN8i5klb3kPDY2dn-~YkG1XyWEvExhv3H~KjZ9sQs4wokgV9Ocupsg7EWOU~dXHKhrE53Cp0PrH9-bKg5VfNTY9RiTK9P2dmxNl6WJhS47IjrmH7uY4X7ZkXK6l6L7L-6q8iDfccDHKfMdtDk3aSjh1jU3SKd2p8~UmhBKTSdnrM~VrlDQbBHdCcMBYumY0EBPhIdbc8NEeXi5Afx-FQbWcgpPM3aPbSmyGEjC5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","President Rodrigo Chavez and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said cybersecurity and the secure rollout of 5G networks were key topics during the visit, and both framed vendor selection as a national security matter.

Chavez said the two governments discussed 5G and cybersecurity and invited the U.S. secretary to provide details. \"First of all, we talked about 5 gs and the importance of having cyber security,\" Chavez said, noting the economic importance of telecommunications.

Rubio praised Costa Rica’s \"staunch position\" of allowing only trusted vendors to participate in 5G procurement. \"5G is gonna be critical technology for the development of all of the industries that are gonna drive the 21st century, but it has to be secure,\" he said. Rubio warned that companies backed by foreign governments can pose threats, including coercion and attempts to infiltrate government agencies.

Both officials said the United States will continue cooperation to strengthen telecommunications security and broader cyber defenses. Rubio cited large numbers of cyberattacks faced annually and said technical assistance and intelligence sharing would be areas of continued collaboration, though no new technical agreements were announced during the press event.

The officials did not specify which firms are excluded from procurement or provide a timeline for any procurement decisions; they framed the discussion as reinforcing shared priorities on cybersecurity.","Both leaders highlighted cybersecurity and secure 5G networks. Rubio praised Costa Rica’s stance to allow only trusted 5G vendors and said the United States will continue technical cooperation to address cyberattacks and foreign interference.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":56,"_72":56,"_73":56},6355455,"Rubio says U.S. will expand biometric sharing with Costa Rica; no U.S. position yet on Nicaragua’s CAFTA status",577,481570,1059015,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2218335-31a7bb492ef38cab830c452f9695815c&start=481&end=1059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2218335-31a7bb492ef38cab830c452f9695815c/thumbnail_481570.jpg","/articles/6355455/Rubio-says-US-will-expand-biometric-sharing-with-Costa-Rica-no-US-position-yet-on-Nicaraguas-CAFTA-status","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355455-f23bef91a4cb2f7ddb5b3c904ae13e62/orig.mp4?Expires=1774942501&Signature=fVU8QHUXaGHoNkIYG~TS3MHeQqs-c9JPIjpiQZMIJ3vh2f6Ds3kFLq68ibGXfH5yWy1Wu4figRx-fJjTlYGbpzGQfSzJgDstvdwh-wvlSyc72JcInheHgAFMd6fO1GLJt1zrWzn6TEyHmrV-WjBLxnTYyKujcEXfJ3CT0HlCBjHYf4DcCCvydZtjqUIbVTO2Bw6SnT067x4swSm1ZCVMj1ZlgUUURcO4cFWwnfdyD1077CsvAgbjZaaiwssJ8jfThjl6NE~AXQGIcW9GyZREHA48f0ZHcU3rEoFuYKYAc3BaatGvkkBKM5ZdwggSJ5Xf9ONva4gEhpdhaZI0VI41qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said his office will strengthen biometric data sharing and real‑time intelligence coordination with Costa Rica to identify migrants and individuals who might pose security risks.

\"We wanna build on that because...we are seeing...elements from all over the world...that have links to terrorism...stopped through our biometric sharing programs and identified and prevented from moving forward,\" Rubio said. He characterized biometric sharing as an \"important partnership\" he wants to expand.

Rubio described Costa Rica as both a transit and destination country for migrants, and said the nation has absorbed large numbers of foreign nationals. \"But the cost, 20% of the population at this point here is, from from another country,\" he said, describing substantial migration pressures.

On a separate question about the Central America Free Trade Agreement, a reporter asked whether the United States would pursue removing Nicaragua from CAFTA. \"The administration has not taken a position on exactly what role Nicaragua will have within an agreement that existed to reward democracy,\" Rubio said. He added that determining a policy would take longer than the two weeks he had been in office.

Reporters also asked about deportations of Nicaraguans who are not accepted by their home government. Rubio said the administration regards the governments of Nicaragua, Cuba and Venezuela as contributing to regional migration crises, but did not announce new deportation procedures or legal changes at the press event.

Rubio and press questioners discussed legal and policy constraints for any change in migration or trade policy; Rubio said such matters require study and review before a formal U.S. position is announced.","U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States will build on biometric data sharing and intelligence cooperation with Costa Rica to address migration and security concerns. On questions about Nicaragua’s participation in CAFTA, Rubio said the administration had not formed an official position and needed more time for study.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":56,"_72":56,"_73":56},6355460,"Costa Rican president and U.S. secretary of state pledge closer anti‑narco cooperation, joint investigations",854,1840,856795,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2218335-31a7bb492ef38cab830c452f9695815c&start=1&end=856","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2218335-31a7bb492ef38cab830c452f9695815c/thumbnail_1840.jpg","/articles/6355460/Costa-Rican-president-and-US-secretary-of-state-pledge-closer-antinarco-cooperation-joint-investigations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355460-5ac6e50092c3425be7516e63bf5f909d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774942501&Signature=YFIdWcxAHMZ3KXs5MuSwTHSrz3Iu1GpOBtQQFmmU~8J2tUqj8LeA9cnycbgVYP4FZANEdupRpTyn0ZQmb4UpjMmaDKrpC~8I2trDbMPW70vtnWB1gl8AwOoB7UsIIK4CntlIJywb6q3uO9T-sros25J~jMkEjiQKxXwgEJYPNtqNbshlQ9pTPFp~nqqUOBFPU4WOwRbzoFalct7CPu4RousdDn-VNq8IHOaGUIKtFJQfSoccwW~xi3MJf03J1CcjFY7yp5UUxTqly16u-Y5r5UU0PzH4g2YXvJBH2LDXG36xd7H7huLVvshLCL1jjhgC8R-1hx59KDTFdgBd7uhjZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","President Rodrigo Chavez and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a joint press appearance that the two countries will strengthen cooperation against organized crime and drug trafficking, including steps to involve U.S. law‑enforcement agencies in joint investigations.

Chavez offered condolences for a slain investigator and said Costa Rica will continue to “fight with all of our strength and with support from the United States of America.” He told the press that the killings underscore a need for tighter laws against paid assassins and international drug trafficking. \"My deepest condolences to mister Gaynor's family,\" Chavez said.

The U.S. secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said Washington will support Costa Rica’s investigations and explore ways to deploy U.S. agencies to work with Costa Rican security forces. \"We will collaborate with you. We will investigate to see how we can involve the DEA and the FBI from the United States working under your security teams here so that they can investigate cases that are around drugs that are to be sent to United States and other places,\" Rubio said. He added, \"we will support you 100%.\"

Rubio discussed U.S. assistance policy in the same context, saying waivers to a recent aid freeze are being used to allow programs that help trusted partners intercept drugs and terrorists. \"If this is life saving programs... you're not included in the freeze,\" Rubio said, describing a blanket waiver for emergency life‑saving assistance and targeted waivers for programs that further U.S. national security interests.

The officials described Costa Rica primarily as a transit country for traffickers because of geography; Rubio said Costa Rica has taken measures to prevent exportation of drugs and called for continued collaboration on intelligence and operational support. The officials did not provide specific new operational deployments, budgets, or timelines during the appearance.

The discussion included references to joint technical assistance and criminal investigations, but no formal bilateral agreement or new, specific funding allocation was announced at the press event. Questions from reporters touched on operational details and the scope of U.S. agency involvement; Rubio said legal and constitutional considerations would be evaluated before any change in the scope of cooperation.

The exchange concluded with both leaders describing the relationship as a partnership on security and rule of law; Chavez and Rubio framed the cooperation as building on shared interests rather than announcing immediate new commitments.","President Rodrigo Chavez and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the two governments will deepen law‑enforcement cooperation on drug trafficking, including joint investigations and expanded DEA and FBI involvement, while discussing waivers to U.S. aid for interdiction programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rubio defends temporary U.S. foreign aid freeze, says waivers protect lifesaving programs

Officials stress 5G security and cyber cooperation; Rubio warns against untrusted vendors

Rubio says U.S. will expand biometric sharing with Costa Rica; no U.S. position yet on Nicaragua’s CAFTA status

Costa Rican president and U.S. secretary of state pledge closer anti‑narco cooperation, joint investigations