No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveCosta Rica President Slams Latin American Gov ‘Arms Race’

Costa Rica President Slams Latin American Gov ‘Arms Race’

Costa Rica President Oscar Arias lambasted other Latin American leaders Tuesday for starting what he called an “arms race” when their population’s basic needs are not being met.

“If there aren’t resources to attend basic needs, why the devil does Latin America need to buy planes, attack helicopters, more tanks and more missiles?” President Arias asked in an interview on Radio Monumental.

Arias said he raised this issue during his meeting Monday with Central American leaders and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. (See the April 3 Tico Times print or digital edition for coverage and analysis.)

“The bilateral aid given by wealthy countries to alleviate poverty in 80 percent of the planet’s population, in Africa, Asia and Latin America, is $100 billion annually, but what they spend on weapons and soldiers is 13 times that and that seems immoral to me,” Arias said.

In this region Arias reckons the contradiction is clear. “In Latin America almost 200 million people live on $2 a day,” he said.

Meanwhile, the region’s governments spend “$50 billion on weapons and soldiers.”

–EFE

 

Trending Now

Costa Rica Pesticide Use Harms Soil Life, UNA Study Finds

Costa Rica is one of the countries that uses the most agrochemicals, which has a series of negative repercussions in various areas. A recent...

Costa Rica Proposes Date for Chaves Immunity Review

Costa Rica's lawmakers took a step forward today in addressing the latest push to strip President Rodrigo Chaves of his legal protections. The Legislative...

Costa Rica’s Nayara Springs Named Among World’s Best Hotels by MICHELIN

Nayara Springs, a secluded adults-only resort near Arenal Volcano National Park, has claimed the highest spot in the MICHELIN Guide's new hotel rankings. The...

Costa Rica’s Hyatt Centric Escazú Finalist in GRI Awards

Costa Rica's hotel scene keeps building momentum on the global stage. The Hyatt Centric San José Escazú stands out as a finalist for Best...

Costa Rica Faces Nicaragua in Key World Cup Qualifier Match

Costa Rica takes on Nicaragua this Tuesday at the Estadio Nacional in a match that could shape their path in the 2026 World Cup...

Costa Rica Faces a Must-Win for a Place in 2026 World Cup

Costa Rica's national soccer team faces a defining stretch in their bid to reach the 2026 World Cup. With just two points from their...
Avatar
spot_img
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