Prosecutors in the interior would rather not know about high-impact cases, and there are judges who do not want to rule on them for fear of reprisals.
Added to this are other problems being faced by prosecutors of the Public Ministry (PM) within the country such as lack of security, space and backlogs.
For prosecutors, who preferred anonymity, the main fear are the threats and attacks by organized criminals .
The phenomenon affects much of Latin America, whose countries spend on average 8% of their GDP on security costs.
That was the conclusion reached during the forum "Connecting businesses as partners for prosperity with security in the Americas", organized by the Organization of American States (OAS) and the private sector, under the framework of the Guatemala Investment Summit.
A survey of Salvadoran entrepreneurs reveals that during 2012, 66% of their companies or their staff were affected up to twice by extortion, kidnapping and murder.
The Survey ENADE 2013 assesses businesses' perception of the performance of government officials, in public safety, fiscal policy and democratic institutions.
• Type of research: a quantitative descriptive research using the technique of self-administered questionnaire.
Firms spent $174 million in security for their businesses in 2009, however in 2010 the expenditure amounted to $190 million.
A study by the Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce reveals that 42% of those surveyed said they had been a victim of violence.
"... We are convinced that the government has not fulfilled its part, ... this has become an obstacle to our development, as insecurity impacts on the competitiveness of the economy," said the Chamber’s president, Arnoldo André , as published by Prensalibre.cr
The costs generated by crime are equivalent to 11% of gross domestic product (GDP).
According to a recent World Bank report, crime and violence have an impact on economic growth not only in terms of loss of wages but it also affects the investment climate and diverts scarce government resources to strengthen the application of justice rather than promoting economic activity."
Paying for armed custody, satellite tracking and “tolls” to armed gangs are some of the additional costs that must be paid when transporting goods in Central America.
Some transportation companies state that $14.000 must be paid each year in security related costs for a single truck carrying goods within the Central American region.
An executive from a Costa Rican company with regional operations confirmed that they pay an $80 toll to Guatemalan gangs to ensure safe circulation within that country’s capital city.