Costa Rica sends forces to Nicaraguan border after apparent military incursion

Costa Rica placed personnel from its National Police near the border with Nicaragua following reports of a raid by that country’s military that killed one person, Public Security Minister Michael Soto said.

Witnesses reported a raid by uniformed Nicaraguan military in the border town of Pocosol de San Carlos, Soto said in a statement.

The Public Security Ministry (MSP) leader indicated that the death of a young man “apparently of Nicaraguan origin … who was being persecuted by members of the army” of Nicaragua had been confirmed and is being investigated further.

Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor Lorena Aguilar said that “if this violation of Costa Rica territory is confirmed, we will proceed through the relevant diplomatic channels.”

The event renews tension between Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Costa Rica supports the opposition movement against the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, whose repression has left at least 325 dead. A wave of anti-Ortega protests broke out in April 2018.

International organizations claim that 62,500 Nicaraguans have sought asylum in Costa Rica, many of them after crossing unpatrolled spots on the border.

Earlier this month, the two countries disagreed over the circumstances of a different Nicaraguan man’s death in Costa Rica.

Both countries also sustained a border dispute after Nicaraguan military occupied the small border territory of Isla Portillo in 2010. The International Court of Justice, which has its seat in The Hague, ratified Costa Rican sovereignty over the site.