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Southern Command To
Intensify Operations in
Costa Rica
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Southern Command To
Intensify Operations in
Costa Rica
The United States
Southern Command is
expected to intensify
its operations in Costa
Rica as USSOUTHCOM's
deputy commander, Glenn
F Spears, this week
visits Costa Rica.
In an interview with the
daily La Nacion, Spears
answered questions as to
the reasons of his visit
and the Southern
Command's role in Costa
Rica.
Spears explained that he
came to meet with the
Ministro de Seugirdad,
Fernando Berrocal, and
other authorities to
emphasize USSOUTHCOM's
desire to work together
with Costa Rican
authorities in the fight
against drug
trafficking.
Costa Rica has gone from
being a bridge of
passing drugs to a
warehousing country.
According to Spears,
drug traffickers have
increased their
operations in Costa
Rican territory, both on
land, sea and air, and
threatens Costa Rican
sovereignty and
security.
The US has has maritime
monitoring programs
since the 1990's,
however funds were
slowly reduced over the
years. Spears said that
there no one single item
that could be the
factor, but rather a
series as the US
destined resources in
other areas. However,
the US can now beef its
funding for this year,
the coming and for 2010.
Spears said that as the
US puts more pressure on
the drug trade in
Colombia and Mexico,
drug traffickers have
had to become more
creative and have taken
routes of less
resistance to move their
product. "who knows,
Costa Rica and Central
America it is easier for
them to move their drugs
and for that reason it
is important to focus on
the region and that each
country secures its
borders", said Spears.
Costa Rica, according to
Spears, is very
attractive for drug
traffickers who find the
open borders and can
easily mix with
legitimate business like
fishing operations in
the coastal areas.
Spears believes that its
beneficial to both
countries if Costa Rica
secures its borders and
hopes to find support
from minister Berrocal
who knows well the
difficult situation
Costa Rica faces with
the drug trade. Spears
said he hopes that
minister Berrocal and
Costa Rica is willing to
work together with the
US.
"What we do we do only
with the invitation of
Costa Rica and are
willing to share ideas
on border security,
especially because Costa
Rica's economy is
growing and there is
more business", said
Spears.
Spears noted that
economic growth is good
for the country, but it
also providers more
opportunities for the
drug trade and its hides
behind legitimate
operations.
The amount of illegal
drugs that flow through
Costa Rica is not
exaclty known and the
US's plan is to set a
limit on interceptions
based solely on an
estimated amount. "What
we have to do is keep
the pressure, increase
the capacity of each
country to secure its
border s- maritime, land
and air - and stop the
movement of shipments",
said Spears.
For 2008, the South
Command has budgeted
us$2 million dollars for
Costa Rica and to be
doubled in 2009.
The United States
Southern Command is
located in Miami,
Florida, and is one of
nine unified Combatant
Commands in the
Department of Defense.
It is responsible for
providing contingency
planning, operations,
and security cooperation
for Central and South
America, the Caribbean
(except U.S.
commonwealths,
territories, and
possessions), Cuba and
the Bahamas, and their
territorial waters; as
well as for the force
protection of U.S.
military resources at
these locations.
USSOUTHCOM is also
responsible for ensuring
the defense of the
Panama Canal and canal
area.
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Glenn F. Spears
Lieutenant General, U.S.
Air Force
Deputy Combatant
Commander,
U.S. Southern Command |
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