US Marines have been deployed to Costa Rica to help combat the drug smuggling
Last week our email box was pretty much filled with, “Why the US Marines were invading Costa Rica?” Even at our Facebook account, a few commented on right-wing political BS, “It’s all about the oil, about building a military base in Costa Rica, and of keeping an eye on all the other dangerous countries around like Venezuela.”
However, I would like to comment on the one of the insanely ridiculous rumors and accusations received from Playas De Cocos where we quote from her email:
“Many of us believe that these ships have been evacuated from the Gulf because of the threat of an explosion from the oil well that has been spewing oil for over 80 days. Apparently the sea floor has raised up almost 30 feet and fissures are forming. Even though they have capped the well as of the early hours of the morning, no one seems to know yet if this cap will hold. They say that if the well explodes, this will cause a fire as large as a mountain and a tsunami that will wipe out many of the Gulf States.”
Obviously, we answered, assuring it was almost impossible for such a thing to happen, and that they should welcome the troop’s arrival to fight the drug problem. And it is not like; Costa Ricans did not know anything about this.
We received a reply back that chastised us, ranting and raving about the Gulf disaster and the overall world ecology and because of this, they were concern about the properties they and other investors owned in Playas Del Cocos … Hummm, interesting!
It was very obvious that this person was out to bitch/vent about how their peaceful life of 15 years in CR was now threaten by the U.S invasion and of a BS tsunami that would destroy the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.
But lets get back to reality – for weeks the internet started screaming bloody murder over this “illegal invasion” of the sovereign Republic of Costa Rica. News agencies throughout the country were overwhelmed with angry Costa Ricans demanding an explanation on why the USA was permitted to completely ignore their constitutional laws and enter Costa Rica with their full military might.
Now Costa Rican’s must face some hard core reality.
- It is not a secret that President Chinchilla, promised to increase funding for anti-drug and crime programs and that it is necessary to fight drug traffickers, who are increasingly using Costa Rica as a storage and shipping point to for cocaine smuggling. With that said, Costa Rican legislature allowed US troops of 7,000 marines, 5 planes and 46 warships to the country for about a six month period by a 31-8 vote.
- Costa Rica is signer to the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance of 1947. If any country were to ever attack or declare war upon Costa Rica, the country can depend on 21 other countries, including the U.S., Chile, and Cuba to provide some sort of military force to provide defense. The treaty allows a US military presents and this has always been done with a Coast Guard presents.
The US Coast Guard (Military Vessel) cruising the port of Limon
The way we look at it, Costa Rica is killing three birds with one stone 1) Providing a training exercise under the Treaty of Reciprocal for the US Marines and 2) Showing force that Costa Rica will not tolerate drug trafficking. And finally 3) getting some much needed tourist bucks during the wet/slow season.
For the last 4-5 days we talked to many of our business accounts, and not one was concern about what has been dubbed, “US Invasion.”
One made it clear; “You have a ton of the Gray Cruise Ships that sent thousands of camouflage dressed tourists, that will be dropping money into the local economy. Now show me what is bad about that?
One even jokingly commented, Del Rey’s Largo and Jaco’s Beatle Bar suddenly had a lack of girls the next few days as many packed their bags filled with condoms, to “Welcome the Marines” – trying to get a piece (pun intended) of the action.
The fact remains, Costa Rica has become the new hub for drug trafficking, and why they are getting millions to help combat it. President Chinchilla knows, if something is not done about it, the country may become another Mexico, where tourism and foreign investments have fallen 95% and the residents start living in fear.
Everyday there seems to be a drug related crime and murder in Costa Rica. Five years ago, you were lucky to get 1 murder every 2-3 months. Ten years ago it was unheard of. And many of us remember when the Costa Rica police did not carry weapons. Now they have to.
We receive many emails a week, if the country is safe to invest and travel in – some have commented if it is becoming another Mexico, where the Cartel runs the country. One of our account’s attorney puts it into economic perspective.
He owns some very nice coastal and investor property on the pacific side, where due to the increase of the drug trade, he claims, the value of his properties have gone down. Many investors are not idiots, they do their research on areas to see if there is anything that would hurt their investment.
Some of these estate properties are in secluded areas that demanded a high rental rate and with the ongoing drug-trade and violence, his clients have elected not to rent the estates out. The attorney welcomes the U.S. Military and I’m sure he is not the only one that feels this way.
He also added, “The true invaders to Costa Rica are the Mexico Cartel who is most responsible of leading the violence and drug trade – and the Columbia Cartel. And that places like Jaco, drug use and addiction is on the rise, as many walk up and down the beach trying to sell the Columbia Marching Power.”
Several weeks I was in Tijuana, Mexico I saw the aftermath of two drug related shootings that killed 8 people, including 2 children. 1000s of businesses have closed in TJ because of this and it has almost bankrupted TJ. And this is happening all over Mexico and in the border towns of the US.
Do the good people of Costa Rica want to follow in the footsteps of Mexico?
…. and as for the oil spill, hopefully something good will come out of this, like better control/regulations and safety on deep drilling and, thank God, BP has the billions of dollars for clean up and reimbursements to local business who have suffered … otherwise it will become just another taxpayer expense.
as the current president of the U.S. is heading towards socialism , maybe even communism unless the good american people can stop it , is that the way Costa Rican Government is heading or is it committed to enterprising business practices as the country has practiced in the last 10 years .
Thanks admin. Jose Maria Hipolito Fugueres Ferrer, Next time any of you are in Santa Maria De Dona, stop by the park and admire the sculpture and read the inscription on the back of the statue. In my opinion Sr.Fugueres is one of the greatest politicians in the history of Central America.
If President Chinchilla wanted to do some real good for Costa Rica she should insist that the US Military enforce fishing laws in Costa Rican waters before foreign trawlers and long liners destroy Costa Rica’s fishing industry.
TO TICOMAN
I agree with your assessment. The USA doesn’t want to own anything in Central America only control it. I read that a hospital ship will be visiting Costa Rica. The ship also contained 500 marines and 4 Black hawk helicopters. That is more than enough to take over Costa Rica in say one week.
The mail purpose of the military presence is to be able to step in and take over if Costa Rica should get any ideas about nationalizing American holdings of pineapples, coffee, mining or any American business interests.
The leaders o;f Costa Rica should ask themselves What would Pepe Figuress say?
For those Gingos who want to know who José María Hipólito Figueres Ferrer (25 September 1906 – 8 June 1990), was, he served as President of Costa Rica three times, 1948–1949, 1953–1958, and 1970–1974.
During his first term in office, he abolished the country’s army, nationalized its banking sector, and granted women and blacks the right to vote.
My wife and I have been living in Costa Rica almost seven years and do not see how all these ships and troops will have much impact on the drug war, especially as so much is transported overland these days, and warehoused in country. To deter small speedboats, sure, yes, but 7,000 troops and 46 warships for that? At a time when the US military is already stretched to the hilt? We don’t think so.
No, something else is “up” and this is a convenient cover story, because it is a half-truth. They are acting on unpublished intel we believe. For example, unrest in Nicaragua with the upcoming elections. Or the increasing ties between Nicaragua and Iran. For example, a new “Cuban Missile”-like crisis brewing perhaps. If the newer Iranian missiles were based there they’d threaten the US directly, and of course many US interests in Latin American.
I dont know who wrote this, but he or she called it right. We have a drug problem and it already has destroyed many lives, as Mexico has … thanks for calling as it is…
Very Good article! simple…the TOTAL UGLY TRUE! Very sad…but true… prostitution every where, drugs every where, not able to walk either during the day time or evening…. a total mess!
…. MUY TRISTE! Que NO BUENO!
REALLY SAD this happening… What a shame! and corrupt Costa Rican Police
Very good article. I and my wife were recently in Costa Rica and found it to be a delightful country… but…. it was also very evident that drugs are an increasing problem for your wonderful country. Better nip it in the bud sooner than later. Your example of Mexico was right on. We no longer go to Mexico because of the drugs and violence. It would be a shame to see the same thing happen in Costa Rica.