The United States donated police equipment worth more than $1 million to Costa Rican security forces Friday as part of the Central American Regional Security Initiative. The donation includes 430 bulletproof vests, 820 bulletproof shields one X-ray machine for detecting explosives, 245 radios and two fully-equipped base stations.
The donation was accepted by Security Minister Mario Zamora who said, “Our friendship with the United States unites us in our mutual struggle on earth, air and sea.”
It was also announced that the United States will be working with Costa Rica to build a control station located at kilometer 35 of the Inter-American Highway, a marker in the southwest on the way to Panama.
This station will increase Costa Rica’s ability to monitor traffic in the region, a critical area for drug traffickers. The stations will span 6,700 square feet and will include meeting rooms, detention center, a vehicle inspection area and enough dorms and bathrooms to accommodate 40 officials. The station will cost $1.3 million.
