The National Police received 2,512 complaints for property crimes during the first half of this year, representing a 13.6 percent drop from the same period of 2016.
Solís said he hopes budget cuts announced by U.S. President Trump will not impact security, migration and other aid programs for Costa Rica and Central America.
The Judicial Investigation Police this week reported they have recorded 555 murders this year, just two less than the total number of homicides recorded in 2015. Crime figures last year prompted OIJ to declare 2015 as Costa Rica's most violent year in record.
Costa Rica’s Justice Minister Cecilia Sánchez Romero was forced this week to defend before the Legislative Assembly the partial release of hundreds of inmates to reduce overcrowding. The program has sparked criticism from various sectors, including the Public Security Ministry.
Costa Rica National Police launched a holiday season security operation on Friday to safeguard residents who will be collecting or spending money in the coming weeks.
The committee’s visit to Costa Rica coincides with the latest dust-up over the landing of U.S. aircraft in Costa Rica as part of the joint patrol agreement between the two countries.
Costa Rican Public Security Minister Gustavo Mata said Friday that institutions such as the Prosecutor’s Office and the Judicial Investigative Police (OIJ) must collaborate more to combat crime, and that citizens have a key role in reporting criminal activity in their communities.
Gustavo Mata, vice minister of public security and former Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) deputy director, will assume the minister’s post on Feb. 16.
Amid rumors swarming around Casa Presidencial this week of a major shakeup in President Luis Guillermo Solís’ Cabinet, word came Tuesday that Public Security Minister Celso Gamboa would step down effective Tuesday, Feb. 10.
