Costa Rica’s Fateful Move: San José Expands its Role in U.S.- led Counter-Narcotics Efforts

On July 1st, Costa Rica’s legislature voted 31-8 to expand its bilateral cooperation agreement on security matters with the United States in order to intensify anti-narcotic efforts within the region. This agreement will allow 46 U.S. naval vessels carrying 7,000 Marines to visit Costa Rican waters until December 31st of this year. These ships will also be accompanied by 200 Black Hawk helicopters and other aircraft. The arrangement has prompted some criticism, particularly from Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla’s political opposition.

The most serious contention against the new agreement is that it will allow U.S. combat-ready equipment capable of military action into Costa Rican waters, whereas previous agreements allowed only U.S. Coast Guard vessels. Although this new arrangement will most likely prove to be innocuous, some of the local citizens’ and opposition legislative leaders’ outcries appear justifiable given the United States’ mixed track record of military and political intervention in the hemisphere. Washington cannot expect all Costa Ricans to cheerfully roll out the red carpet to greet the U.S. military; Washington policymakers would be wise to maintain an open dialogue with Costa Ricans and reassure them that all actions that will be undertaken are clearly within the legal bounds of the maritime agreement.

For full article click here

This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate Isabelle Van Hook