US Navy is Costa Rica - Militarization of South America

[housewolf]

http://www.truth-out.org/what-heck-are-us-marines-doing-costa-rica-obamas-tilt-right-latin-america62104

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A multi-purpose ship, Makin Island is designed to transport and land Marines via helicopter, landing craft or amphibious assault vehicle. In an impressive show of force, the Navy recently deployed Makin Island to South American waters. There, the ship made visits to several ports of call including the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, the Chilean town of Valparaiso and the Peruvian capitol of Lima. More significantly, perhaps, the aircraft carrier could soon be deployed to the Central American country of Costa Rica.

If you just did a double take, that is understandable. For years, this small nation has prided itself on its adherence to pacifistic principles. In a region plagued by violence, Costa Rica historically managed to stay above the fray and the nation has not had an Army since 1949. The country, with a small population of just four million, is seen as safer than its Central American neighbors and an attractive destination for tourists and US retirees.

Costa Rica's Controversial Drug War

So, why is the Costa Rican government now inviting the US Navy to patrol its local waters? Officially, the Americans will be deployed to help stem the flow or drugs northward. The ships would arrive for at least six months to assist counternarcotics operations by Costa Rican officials. The government argues that the help is well needed. For some time, smugglers have used Costa Rica as a transshipment point for drugs coming from Colombia and Panama. Without any armed forces and with long coastlines and poorly guarded borders, Costa Rica is vulnerable to the machinations of technologically advanced drug cartels.

Indeed, Costa Rican authorities report that powerful Mexican cartels are infiltrating their country. Recently, local police seized more than a ton of cocaine at a house outside the capital and detained two Mexicans with alleged ties to the Juarez cartel. Meanwhile, the Costa Rican prison system has been put under enormous strain as the inmate population has soared. With a spike in drug-related crime, the prisons have spilled over and become more violent.

more at the link ....

[RKP5637]

1. As one comment said, "We look a lot more like a rogue state from outside

our borders."

[davidinalameda]

2. I remember now

we're going to invade Venezuela soon

that's why the Marines are down there