HomeNewsCosta RicaCosta Rica Launches Operation Sovereignty to Combat Drug Trafficking

Costa Rica Launches Operation Sovereignty to Combat Drug Trafficking

The Costa Rican government has launched a new operation aimed at combating drug trafficking. The operation, dubbed “Operation Sovereignty,” will focus on securing entry and exit points in the country to prevent the flow of drugs.

One of the key components of Operation Sovereignty is the installation of scanners at the Moín Container Terminal, Costa Rica’s main port. These scanners will be used to check all containers entering and leaving the port, in an effort to prevent drug trafficking in the country’s exports.

The government also plans to increase security at other ports, airports, and land crossings. This will include increasing the number of security personnel, installing more cameras, and using drones to conduct surveillance.

President Rodrigo Chaves has said that Operation Sovereignty is a “reality” and that it is not just about installing scanners. He has emphasized that the goal is to “sterilize” the country of drug trafficking and to protect Costa Rica’s sovereignty.

The Chamber of Exporters (CADEXCO) has welcomed Operation Sovereignty. The president of CADEXCO, Siany Villalobos, has said that there is “no greater fear for an exporter than for his cargoes to be contaminated.”

The Drug Control Police (PCD) has also expressed support for Operation Sovereignty. The PCD has said that the operation is “a step in the right direction” and that it will help to “protect Costa Rica from the scourge of drug trafficking.”

The government has not yet said how much Operation Sovereignty will cost. However, it has said that the operation is a priority and that it is committed to making it a success.

The launch of Operation Sovereignty is a significant development in Costa Rica’s fight against drug trafficking. The operation has the potential to make a real difference in the country’s efforts to prevent the flow of drugs. It will be important to monitor the operation closely and to assess its effectiveness in the coming months.

In addition to the measures mentioned above, Operation Sovereignty will also include:

  • The use of divers to detect additions to ships
  • Patrols by Coast Guard vessels
  • 1,100 members of the security forces at checkpoints
  • 274 security cameras
  • 7 drones
  • Aerial patrols

Several branches of Public Security will be involved in the work, primarily the Coast Guard, Border and Air Surveillance, the Intelligence Unit, and the Drug Control Police.

The government has said that it expects Operation Sovereignty to be fully operational by the end of the year.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s Cahuita Tourism Businesses Struggle After Major Drug Raids

Tourism businesses in Cahuita, one of our best-known Caribbean destinations, are struggling with fewer visitors, declining sales and concerns about the town's reputation following...

Costa Rica Faces an $882 Million Revenue Hole as Courts, Police and Schools Take Cuts

Costa Rica expects to collect about â‚¡400,000 million ($882 million) less than it budgeted for 2026, and the Finance Ministry is asking lawmakers to...

Free Museums, Films and Music Fill Costa Rica’s Weekend Calendar

Costa Rica is offering a wide range of free cultural activities this weekend giving everyone an opportunity to enjoy live music, movies, theater, traditional...

Costa Rica and El Salvador Sign New Agreement to Fight Organized Crime

Costa Rica and El Salvador have signed a new security agreement aimed at strengthening cooperation against organized crime, as President Laura Fernández moves to...

Power Failure Disrupts Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría Airport Control Tower

A power failure temporarily knocked out critical air traffic control systems at Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport today, raising new concerns about the...

Costa Rica Mayor Investigated in Guanacaste Beachfront Hotel Permit Scandal

Costa Rican prosecutors are investigating the mayor of Santa Cruz, his son and seven others over suspected irregularities involving beachfront hotel construction permits and coastal land concessions in Guanacaste.

Costa Rica Gives SINPE Móvil Businesses 12 Months to Register Payment Numbers or Face Fines

If you get paid through SINPE Móvil for a business, a rental or freelance work in Costa Rica, you will soon have to tell...

Planned US Embassy Visit Leads to Arrest of Man Wanted in Georgia

A man wanted in Georgia was detained in Costa Rica after US authorities flagged a planned visit to the US Embassy.

Costa Rica’s Priciest Airbnb Tops $23,000 for Thanksgiving Weekend

The most expensive vacation rental on Airbnb in Costa Rica for Thanksgiving weekend costs more than 10.5 million colones, or about $23,300, for two...
Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel