Colombian Fiscal Says
Costa Rican Could Become
Another Colombia If It
Doesn't Deal Properly
With Organized Crime
The Fiscal General de
Colombia, Mario Iguarán,
has warned that Costa
Rica, for not having
taken measures against
organized crime, Costa
Ricans will be living
the same horrifying and
difficult experiences
Colombians have had.
Iguarán said he fears
that the country will
fall behind in its
battle against organized
crime.
The comments were made
during a meeting of the
"Encuentro
Iberoamericano de
Ministerios Públicos"
that was held in
Cartagena, Colombia,
last week.
"We urge countries such
as Costa Rica, to
develop laws and
instruments with which
they dismantle
transnational drug
trafficking or
terrorism", said Iguarán.
Iguarán also commented
on the struggle by Costa
Rica's Fiscal General,
Francisco Dall'Anese,
with legislators who
have been stalling the
passing of a bill that
would allow Costa Rican
authorities to combat
organized crime.
The head of the
Dirección de
Inteligencia y Seguridad
Nacional (DIA), Roberto
Solórzano, appearing
beofre the Legislative
Assembly, warned
legislators against
Costa Rica becoming
another Colombia or
Mexico.
During the appearance
Solórzano explained the
presence of the Fuerzas
Armadas Revolucionarias
de Colombia (FARC) -
Colombian rebel group -
presence in Costa Rica.
Dall'Anese has been
pushing hard for
legislators to approve
the law what would allow
judicial authorities
combat organized crime
differently that the
current laws that are in
place to deal with
common criminals.
One of the main points
being made by Dall'Anese
is the protection and
compensation of
witnesses against
organized crime. The
Fiscal General said that
the Fuerza Pública
(regular police force)
is not equipped to
protect witnesses and
victims or organized
crime and event though
judicials officials
doing their job well,
they will run against
wall with the Oficina de
Atención a las Víctimas
de Seguridad Pública.
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