Costa Rica: New security strategy to launch September 1 /update 1

Event

President Carlos Alvarado announced on August 8 that a new national security strategy will be implemented on September 1. The new strategy, known as the "Integral Strategy of Prevention for Public Safety," was developed with support from the Colombian National Police and the US government. It is designed to improve collaboration between the police and citizens in a bid to reduce rising crime rates throughout the country. President Alvarado officially approved the policy after two foreign tourists were murdered on August 4-5.

Context

According to government statistics, 302 murders were reported in the first half of 2018, 29 more than during the same period in 2017, the most violent year in the country's recent history.

Costa Rica has traditionally been one of the least violent countries in the region, with a relatively high level of development, stable government, and a limited military. However, increasing levels of inequality have led to an upsurge in the drug trade in recent years and the rise in violent crime has been attributed in large part to conflicts between rival organized crime groups. The murder rate in 2017 reached 12 per 100,000 residents, and was considered an “epidemic” by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Advice

Individuals in Costa Rica are advised to remain vigilant at all times and take commonsense measures to minimize the risk of becoming a target (e.g. maintain a low profile, do not wear or display items of value, etc.).