No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCosta RicaExamining Costa Rica's Role in International Drug Trafficking

Examining Costa Rica’s Role in International Drug Trafficking

The U.S. Department of State has published the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, which analyzes Costa Rica’s drug problem.

According to the report, “Costa Rica remains the top transshipment point for cocaine en route to the United States from South America and is a key transit point in international narcotics trafficking.”

The problem is aggravated due to Costa Rica’s historically small and underfunded security.

In addition, the country has been experiencing a growing domestic drug consumption problem, which has allowed drug gangs to enter the local market and gain influence.

However, this isn’t the country’s only problem. The report shows that the national homicide rate rose from 11.2 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2021 to 12.6 per 100,000 in 2022.

Despite these problems, the Central American nation has been working towards professionalizing the police and increasing its efforts towards fighting drug trafficking.

“With U.S. support, Costa Rica engaged in numerous police professionalization efforts in 2022, including leadership training, improvements to training facilities, expanded canine programs, and better cooperation between national and local authorities,” highlighted the document.

Regarding corruption, the analysis shows that the Costa Rican government does not encourage it nor is it involved in laundering the proceeds of the sale of illicit drugs.

The U.S. also stressed that Costa Rica’s public institutions keep working to tackle this issue effectively. For instance, the Judicial Branch expanded the implementation of the country’s first organized crime court, and the country adhered to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Anti-Bribery Convention.

Costa Rica has always been a strategic ally, so the United States has always encouraged cooperation initiatives between both nations.

“The United States supports police professionalization through a range of leadership and specialized training. At the National Police Academy, the United States provides curriculum support and infrastructure development,” they pointed out.

Finally, Costa Rica must direct its efforts towards including much-needed staffing increases in police forces, professionalizing police and judicial institutions, investing in border and port security (especially scanners), strengthening cooperation with regional partners, and expanding citizen security best practices within Costa Rica and throughout the region.

Trending Now

Costa Rican Congressman Faces Sexual Abuse Allegations from 2006

Fabricio Alvarado, a sitting congressman and presidential hopeful for the New Republic Party, now contends with a formal complaint accusing him of sexually abusing...

Costa Rica Ranger Trapped After Falling off Cliff on Cocos Island

Rescue teams in Costa Rica continue their efforts to save a park ranger who fell down a 40-meter cliff on Isla del Coco. The...

Costa Rican Hotels Warn of Job Risks Amid Drop in Tourists

Hotels across Costa Rica face mounting pressures as tourist numbers dip and a sluggish dollar exchange rate eats into their earnings. From January to...

White House Calls Nobel Prize to Venezuelan Machado ‘Politics Over Peace’

The Norwegian Nobel Committee handed the 2025 Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado on Friday, sparking sharp words from the White...

Guatemala Accepts First Honduran Deportees from US

Guatemala has started accepting deportees from other countries as part of its deal with the United States, with the first group of Hondurans arriving...

Costa Rica Women’s National Team Coach Steps Down Amid World Cup Push

The Costa Rican Soccer Federation dropped a major update this week: Spanish coach Beni Rubido is stepping down from his role with the women's...
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