Costa Rica Safest
Country in Latin America
Even though it is hard
to believe, Costa Rica
is being called the
safest country in Latin
America when it comes to
security for business
executives and
multinationals,
according to the latest
Latin Security Index
developed by FTI
Consulting Ibero America
for Latin Business
Chronicle.
The Latin Security Index
measures the danger
level in Latin America
based on homicide rates
as well as other factors
affecting corporate
security and the safety
of foreign business
executives.
FTI Consulting bases its
ratings on official
numbers from public
security secretariats,
local police,
governments, NGO's and
institutes of crime
investigations.
Each country receives
rating from 1 to 5 with
1 representing a
non-dangerous country
and 5 representing a
very dangerous country.
Joachim Bamrud, director
of the Latin Business
Chronicle, said that
although Costa Rica has
the same score as Chile
and Uruguay, the index
places Costa Rica as the
safest country.
Last year, Chile was
given the top spot,
meaning that Costa Rica
has risen.
Laura Chinchilla, Costa
Rica's vice-president,
said that the top spot
given to Costa Rica in
the index is an
excellent aspect for
foreing investors who
are looking at Costa
Rica for expansion.
"Notwitstanding, we
cannot drop our guard,
as criminal indicators
show rapid growth and we
cannot have a drop in
the index in the
future", said
Chinchilla.
Fernando Berrocal, the
ministro de Seguridad,
explained that his
ministry is making great
efforts to give police
the resources they need
to fight the rise in
crime.
"There are still many
things missing, not
everything is well, but
were making strong
efforts to combat drug
trafficking and
organized crime", said
Berrocal.
The index placed
Nicaragua as the second
most security country in
Central America, while
the rest of the Central
American countries were
classed as highly
dangerous.
Brazil and Mexico, two
countries with the
largest economies in
Latin America, were a
score of 4 points in the
index, equaling last
years score.
Haiti is classed as the
most dangerous country
in Latin America,
receiving a score of 5.
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