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Costa Rica’s Organized Crime Landscape: A Deep Dive
Resilience, Leadership and Governance
- Costa Rica is considered a democratic country with no evidence of organized crime penetration into the political system.
- The new president has made statements against organized crime and is committed to improving police salaries and conditions.
- Security issues facing the new government include cocaine trafficking, gang violence, and rising corruption.
Criminal Justice and Security
Judiciary and Law Enforcement
- Costa Rica’s judiciary is independent and free from intervention by other institutions.
- Prisons are overcrowded due to preventive detention, but the country has a low level of impunity compared to its region.
- The Public Prosecutor’s Office determines investigations, and the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) handles criminal investigations.
Economic and Financial Environment
- Costa Rica remains an important money laundering hub despite anti-money laundering laws.
- Money is laundered through construction, real estate, hotels, and the drug trade.
- There are concerns about authorities’ capacity to halt drug trafficking syndicates from infiltrating the legal economy.
Civil Society and Social Protection
Prevention Programs
- The OIJ has a witness protection unit, and the Office for the Attention and Protection of the Victim provides free and confidential protection to crime victims.
- Three main prevention programs focus on community security, commercial security, and child and adolescent protection.
- Media ownership is concentrated in a limited number of people, limiting pluralism and diversity.
Conclusion
Overall, Costa Rica faces challenges related to organized crime, including money laundering, corruption, and gang violence. However, the country has a strong legal framework against corruption and a low level of impunity compared to its region.