Earlier quoted context omitted.
US Law does not apply to Costa Rica-- it's outside their jurisdiction. That's one of the fundamental problems here. The US could pass a law that Sainsburies (a UK grocery store, with no US locations) has to employ a jazz band at every one of their stores for 3 hours every friday afternoon... but it doesn't matter, because the US does not have jurisdiction over the UK. Even if a US citizen goes and visits and stops by…
The whole concept of jurisdiction & borders is an illusion. Any entity can apply any arbitrary law anywhere, provided they can enforce it. The reality is that the US is a superpower in terms of military, economics & political force. If the US really wants a jazz band at every store, the UK may be in a strong enough position to fight back, but Costa Rica would most likely have to employ that jazz band as it couldn't p…
As it stands today, there are some entities that are effectively more equal under the law because they have infinity money. One of the most important rules for a successful adult life is to never cross anyone with infinity money (unless you yourself also possess infinity money). Money talks.