After almost six years in the Netherlands, the time has come to say goodbye to H.E. Arnoldo Brenes Castro, Ambassador of Costa Rica to the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
For many in The Hague, however, this is more than a diplomatic farewell. It is also the departure of a dear friend, a respected colleague and an exceptional diplomat who has left a lasting impression on the diplomatic, legal, academic and social communities of the Netherlands.
Ambassador Brenes Castro presented his credentials in December 2020, beginning his first posting abroad as Ambassador of Costa Rica to the Netherlands. During his tenure, he represented Costa Rica with precision, commitment and a remarkable sense of responsibility, ensuring that his country was present and actively engaged wherever its voice could contribute.
His professional background explains much of his approach to diplomacy. A lawyer and notary public, he graduated from the University of Costa Rica in 1991 and obtained an MA in Theory and Practice of Human Rights from the University of Essex in 1994. His early professional life combined legal practice with teaching and work devoted to human rights, peace and security.
During the 1990s, he worked as a consultant and professor at the University for Peace of the United Nations, teaching in programmes related to human rights, peace education and sustainable environmental tourism. He also served with the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress, where he worked on security and demilitarisation issues.
In 2000, he joined Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, where his career increasingly focused on international relations, international security and international law. He participated in important international legal cases involving Costa Rica and Nicaragua and served on several commissions dealing with international law, foreign service matters and the extension of Costa Rica’s continental shelf.
Before arriving in The Hague, he had already represented Costa Rica before some of the world’s principal international legal institutions, including the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the International Court of Justice. His appointment to the Netherlands therefore brought to The Hague a diplomat whose professional life had been deeply connected with international law, human rights and peace.
During his years in the Netherlands, Ambassador Brenes Castro further strengthened the close relationship between Costa Rica and the Netherlands. The two countries share important interests in areas including peace and security, climate action and environmental protection. With 175 years of diplomatic relations to be celebrated in 2027, the relationship continues to offer considerable opportunities for political, economic and cultural cooperation.
Costa Rica’s commitment to peace and international cooperation was also reflected in the Ambassador’s work on issues of international security and Costa Rica’s support for Ukraine. His involvement in negotiations and international discussions demonstrated his ability to combine legal expertise with practical diplomacy.
At the same time, his work went far beyond formal diplomatic meetings. He became a familiar and respected presence throughout The Hague’s international community, building friendships and professional relationships with ambassadors and diplomats, Dutch government officials, academics, international lawyers, representatives of international organisations and civil society, as well as members of the Costa Rican and wider Latin American communities and many Dutch citizens.
He was consistently present: at diplomatic events, international conferences, academic gatherings, cultural occasions and discussions on the many issues that shape the international community in The Hague. Wherever Costa Rica could contribute, Ambassador Brenes Castro made sure that Costa Rica was represented.
His effectiveness as a diplomat was matched by his personal qualities. He brought to his work extensive knowledge, careful preparation, determination and, above all, a genuine passion for the country he represented. For those who had the opportunity to work with him, having Ambassador Brenes Castro among us has been both an honour and a privilege.
His intellectual contribution is equally notable. An author and editor of numerous publications, he has combined his diplomatic career with a longstanding commitment to research and writing, particularly in the fields of international law, human rights, peace and international relations.
As Ambassador Brenes Castro prepares to leave the Netherlands for his next assignment as Ambassador of Costa Rica to Türkiye, he leaves behind an impressive record of diplomatic service but also a remarkably wide circle of friends.
For the Diplomatic Community of The Hague, saying goodbye to Ambassador Brenes Castro is therefore also saying goodbye to a friend.
We wish him and his family, good health, happiness and every success in his new mission. Costa Rica can be proud of the dedication, professionalism and passion with which he served his country in the Netherlands.
And while we say goodbye to Ambassador Brenes Castro, we also look forward to welcoming him back to The Hague whenever his diplomatic path brings him here again.
