The government has announced it will buy an aircraft and maritime interdiction boats, and will contract maintenance for aircraft in the National Air Service.
The Cabinet has endorsed the purchase of a DHC-6 Twin Otter 400 aircraft as well as maritime interdiction vessels DAMEN 1102 and three contracts for maintenance of aircraft order to strengthen the capacity of the National Air Service (Senan).
The movement of illicit capital in Costa Rica and Panama counts for more than 10% of their respective GDP, meaning that its removal would be a major blow to their economies.
Editorial
The report entitled "Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries: 2001-2010" by Global Financial Integrity, reveals that during the first 10 years of the new century, the flow of illicit money in Costa Rica amounted to $64 billion, while in Panama the total was $40 billion.
In the U.S. the number of people over 12 years old who use drugs increased from 5.8% in 1991-93 to 8.9% in 2008. In Mexico the war on drugs has killed over 50,000 people over the past 5 years.
Juan Carlos Hidalgo wrote an article for Nacion.com in February 2012. His approach, denouncing the harmful effects of drug prohibition, was based on a proposal by the President of Guatemala, Otto Perez Molina, to legalize drugs as a means to combat drug trafficking.
Mexico is currently making headlines worldwide for its drug violence, but the homicide rate in Central America is now higher than that of the Aztec nation.
Like other analysts, Andres Oppenheimer attributes the drama unfolding in Central America to drug trafficking: "Even in Costa Rica, a country that is often called the Switzerland of Latin America because it is an island of peace and prosperity in the region, there is growing anxiety about the rising tide of drug-related violence."
Private companies will participate in monitoring the results of the plan.
Following Colombia’s example, where monitoring by the private business sector was instrumental in implementing the security measures proposed by the government, businessmen from El Salvador will monitor the security plan and the tax on large amounts of capital.
The methods used to finance the government's ambitious plan to combat insecurity is the private sector’s main concern, because to apply the tax on large capital (assets over $500 thousand) a significant portion of the country’s business could be affected .
Widespread corruption, institutional weakness, disputes between countries, and resistance to more taxes, are jeopardizing the chances of success of the plan and its 22 projects.
A summit held in Guatemala, where for the first time since 1856 Central American countries agreed to fight together, culminated in joint action plans to combat drug trafficking.
The country is looking at buying Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano planes to use in the battle against drug trafficking.
President Porfirio Lobo met with the head of the International Security Cabinet of Brazil, José Elito Siqueriam to discuss the issue.
Digital Process reported, "During the meeting they also discussed the commitment of President Rousseff ‘s government’s to collaborate with the Lobo Sosa administration in logistical support and training the police to combat crime and criminality. "
The funds will be used to strengthen programs to combat organized crime in the country.
The prevention, rehabilitation and strengthening of law enforcement are some of the areas that will be enhanced with the injection of new resources.
The loan, granted by the Inter-American Development Bank, was signed by President Laura Chinchilla in the institution's headquarters in Washington as part of the business tour business that the president is currently taking.
From El Salvador, the US president offered the funds for regional security projects.
Regarding distribution of funds, the president said Central American countries will be the ones deciding how to invest the funds according to their particular needs.
Laprensagrafica.com reported statements from Barack Obama, "It will be a program designed and led by Central American governments in the region ...
Central American businesses demand from governments clear mechanisms to combat insecurity in the region.
The president of the Federation of Private Entities of Central America, Panama and Dominican Republic (FEDEPRICAP), Carlos Amador, said, "Central America is threatened by drug trafficking, gangs and transnational organized crime and to help combat these problems there is an need for a united isthmus."
Lack of investment and development has triggered the establishment of criminal gangs in the border areas of Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
This was one of the findings of a study by the Institute of Strategic Studies and Public Policies (IEEPP). Javier Meléndez, advisor of the Institute, commented that “Organized crime has profited from these vulnerabilities, by providing ‘job’ opportunities for the local population, which ends up contributing to the logistics and operations of trafficking drug between Colombia and United States”.
A joint $953 million plan to fight crime developed by Central America and Mexico, will be presented to the United States on May.
According to the Central American Integration Secretary (SICA), Mexico and Central America require $803 million to fight crime, $120 million for prevention and rehabilitation and $30 million to strengthen institutions.
From Laprensagrafica.com: “The war against drug trafficking requires the most resources ($200 million), followed by organized crime ($130 million), police topics ($90 million), gangs ($60 million), murders ($60 million), illegal traffic of weapons ($48 million), and corruption ($60 million)”.
Authorities from the Central American countries have gathered in El Salvador in order to coordinate joint border security efforts.
Manuel Melgar, Salvadoran Justice Minister, stated that these efforts should be geared towards stopping drug dealing and organized crime.
“We must review how to strengthen border controls, not only at the points of entry, but also along the borders, specially at illegal entry points used by dealers and illegal aliens”, commented Alvarado.
Every new government generates expectations, and they are larger when the topics are most sensitive for the population.
For the new president of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla, her experience as Justice and Security minister increases hope in her government to revert growing insecurity in the country.
As her rival candidates, Chinchilla’s proposals were headed by the security topic, and include placing experienced people in key security roles.