Drug Violence in the Region

  I have officially been in Costa Rica for 4 weeks, and the thing I have heard consistently on the news has been about the rise of crime and violence related to drug cartels. Costa Rica is a traditionally peaceful country, with no military, and low crime rates especially when related to narcotics. However, there has been a recent surge not only in Costa Rica, but within all of Central America concerning drug trafficking.  People here are blaming Mexican organized crime, saying it has taken over Mexico and is now overflowing into the rest of the region.  Many fear Costa Rica’s peaceful reputation will be lost, and President Laura Chinchilla has pledged $360 million towards confronting drug related crime. In a society where police are needed more to direct traffic and close down roads after landslides, this is a serious change.  This year, Costa Rica was named for the first time one of the top 20 illicit drug transit or producing nations in the world. This is something Costa Ricans are all furious about. They are not prepared to let there country be taken over be drug cartels. Security has increased everywhere after some recent drug related events. First, a helicopter filled with cocaine crashed into a mountain, revealing an elaborate drug ring within the country. Then, just last week, three bodies were found burned in what police are saying was drug related violence. It is so upsetting to see that a society that revolves around the environment, stability, and tourism, is being taken over by organized crime.

The street where I saw 2 young men being search by police.

    Here in San Jose, I can see the heightened security. In the neighborhood in which I live, police on bicycles are constantly riding around looking for suspicious behavior. I was told the gym in front of the house I’m living in closed down just before I arrived because it was a cover for a drug ring. On my walk to school I pass by an empty lot where construction has just started. I always got a weird feeling every time I walked by and saw groups of young men definitely not dressed for construction hanging about. Walking home from school 2 weeks ago, 4 of these men were lying flat on the floor being searched by 6 policemen and women. Another drug ring was discovered here on my block. While it makes me feel safe knowing the police are on top of the situation at least here in San Pedro, other areas aren’t doing as well.  In a country that has achieved so much progress in recent history, this is a situation that could halt much development. Instead of continuing to spend on education and development, the government must now focus on fighting crime. In my opinion, the relationship between police and citizens here is ideal, but if police participation continues to increase as does surveillance and drug checks, that relationships can be thrown off and undermined. Even more problematic is ensuring that local police with low wages are not enticed into joining up with this organized crime that could certainly generate more money than the government is able to provide for them.  All of these fears have been increasing among locals, and have therefore been in the news almost every night since I have arrived. The international community needs to be aware of what is occurring and band together to halt the expansion of drug related crime in the region. It can be a detriment to everything Central America has achieved as of late. (9/25/10)