No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsCrimeUS Southern Command discusses drug policy with Costa Rica's Solís

US Southern Command discusses drug policy with Costa Rica’s Solís

Gen. John F. Kelly, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visited with President Luis Guillermo Solís and Public Security Minister Celso Gamboa to discuss anti-narcotics operations and future collaboration between the allies, at the Casa Presidencial in the Costa Rican capital on Thursday morning.

Gamboa said the meeting addressed the development of a regional security and anti-drug strategy that stretches from Colombia to Mexico. The leaders spoke about collaboration opportunities, border police training, humanitarian assistance and human rights.

“His visit is in part a recognition that [Costa Rica], despite not having an army, has become the greatest confiscator of cocaine in the fight against drug trafficking in the region,” Gamboa said after the meeting.

“They need our experience to see what we’ve been doing [with very limited resources]. The rest of the region is trying to copy the Costa Rican model to fight drug trafficking in a civil way that respects human rights,” he added.

Costa Rica’s Drug Control Police has claimed over 15.6 metric tons worth of cocaine seizures in 2014.

The minister said there would be no change in Costa Rica’s anti-drug strategy. Discussions about U.S. financial assistance for law enforcement were ongoing and did not mention any specific figures. Gamboa said he would travel to the United States next week to hold additional meeting with SOUTHCOM.

Costa Rica is a participant in Operation Martillo, a joint operation between the U.S. and Central American governments to fight drug trafficking in the waters along the isthmus. Costa Rica has received funding from the U.S. government for anti-narcotics training and equipment. Costa Rica also allows U.S. Coast Guard vessels to patrol its waters for drug traffickers.

Kelly will travel to Flamingo, Guanacaste, to review the Coast Guard station there and meet with human rights leaders to discuss human trafficking and regional security. This is the SOUTHCOM commander’s first visit to Costa Rica.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s Rare Birds at Risk as Human Activity Threatens Extinction

Costa Rica’s bare-necked umbrellabird, a striking black bird with a red throat pouch and crest, is in trouble. A new study in Nature Ecology...

Costa Rica Surf Film Festival Honors ‘Pura Vida Bodysurfing’ with Top Audience Award

Pura Vida Bodysurfing is an award-winning short film that strips surfing back to its essence—riding waves without a surfboard. Filmed across Costa Rica’s legendary...

A Costa Rica Love Story: From Rustic Cabina to Separate Dreams

My Tica wife and I have been together for over a quarter century. When we met, I was living a simple life here. Three...

Guatemala Makes History as They Face USA in Gold Cup Semifinal Showdown

Desperate to show progress under Mauricio Pochettino, the United States is looking to secure a return to the CONCACAF Gold Cup final on Wednesday...

Life After MS-13 in El Salvador as Residents Seek a Fragile Peace

Esperanza Martinez lost three relatives who were murdered and saw numerous bodies left in the streets of her neighborhood, a former stronghold of the...

Fishing, Wildlife, and History in Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado

Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado is a magical and charming town. It’s one of the country’s hidden gems, best known for its world-class sport...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica