The United States Department of State through its International Narcotics Control Strategy Report 2018 makes a full analysis of Costa Rica’s situation when it comes to drug trafficking and the direct relation with the increase in homicides in the country.

“Costa Rica’s strategic location, vast maritime territory, and the small size of its security forces combine to make it an attractive transit and logistics hub for illicit drug trafficking. In 2017, U.S. authorities estimated Costa Rica was among the most heavily transited countries for cocaine shipments entering the United States. During the first 10 months of 2017, Costa Rican authorities seized a total of 22.4 metric tons (MT) of cocaine, on par with 2016. Bulk cash seizures from drug proceeds totaled over $26 million over this same period, a three-fold increase from 2016.”

“Though low for the region, the total number of homicides in Costa Rica was on pace to surpass 600 in 2017, overtaking the record 577 homicides in 2016. Continued turf-war related shootings and cartel-style assassinations have exacerbated heightened public concern and intensified the Costa Rican government’s sharp focus on the fight against illicit drug trafficking. The government significantly increased its security spending in 2017, resulting in important increases in law enforcement staffing and transformational equipment purchases. Institutional reforms enabled increased police professionalization, major advances in investigations and prosecutions, and improved success in drug interdiction and disruption of drug trafficking organizations, as well as drug prevention programs.”

The report highlights the efforts of the country to strengthen its ability to combat drug trafficking and tackle the rising presence of transnational organization but it also suggests:

“ (…) Costa Rica must maintain its planned security sector growth over 2018 and beyond if it hopes to keep up with the rapid increase in drug flows and associated criminality now permeating its territory. Top priorities for increasing effectiveness and efficiency should continue to include: 1) professionalizing police and judicial institutions, with an emphasis on anti-corruption; 2) augmenting the use of advanced investigative techniques aimed at organized crime; 3) further investment in border security, to include Border and Custom’s Police, and the continued build-up INCSR 2018 Volume 1 Country Reports 145 of the Coast Guard and Air Surveillance Service capabilities to control the country’s sovereign territory; and 4) passing laws that specifically target organized crime and its proceeds. Finally, Costa Rica should continue to strengthen its cooperation with regional partners. Its successful engagement with Panama and Colombia, for example, has already yielded results and holds great potential.”