Costa Ricans Blame Government
for Violence
Forty-three
percent of the Costa
Rican population holds
President Oscar Arias
responsible for the
increase of violence in
the country, according
to a CID-Gallup poll
published Thursday.
The survey on digital
newspaper La Republica
showed that the Costa
Rican population
perceives the president
lacks a defined strategy
to face and fight crime.
Those questioned
asserted that the
emergency measures
announced on January 10
are very far from
concrete solutions to
eradicate crime in a
country where, in the
last four months, almost
3 out of 10 homes has at
least one person who has
been a victim of
violence.
Almost two years ago,
when President Arias
took office, the
administration committed
to get resources for an
anti-crime crusade.
Nearly half, 48 percent,
in the poll believe
increased punishment is
the most effective way
to fight crime, rather
than solutions like
budget increases and
strengthening the
police.
The population also
criticized the
Legislature for
prioritizing
implementing the free
trade treaty with the
US, instead of
increasing punishments
against criminals.
Costa Rican Vice
President and Justice
Minister Laura
Chinchilla recently
reported that physical
attacks doubled in 2007,
and homicides increased
50 percent. |
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