Costa Rica’s International Trade Grinds to a Halt as Cargo Containers Pile Up Due to Customs System Hack
San José, Costa Rica - The ongoing cyberattack on Costa Rica’s public sector has led to a crippling paralysis of international trade, with cargo containers piling up and customs procedures grinding to a halt.
Disruption Caused by the Hack
The hack, attributed to the Conti group, has disrupted the country’s customs system, causing delays of up to four days in the approval process for moving containers. The affected institutions include the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Public Education, and others.
“We don’t know who is paying taxes correctly or incorrectly,” said President Rodrigo Chaves Robles in a statement. “The impact on international trade is huge, and we’re struggling to keep up with payroll payments due to the hack.”
Consequences for Businesses
As a result, importers are facing massive delays and costs, while exporters are unable to get their goods out of the country. The situation has raised concerns about the country’s ability to recover from the attack.
Government Response
The Costa Rican government has promised to pay outstanding salaries to affected workers and has implemented measures to reconcile payments within a month. However, the crisis is far from over, with many institutions still reeling from the hack.
Regional Cybersecurity Concerns
The incident has also highlighted Latin America’s lagging cybersecurity infrastructure, with only 12 countries in the region having a national cybersecurity strategy in 2020, compared to 20 by July 2023.
International Response
The US government has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Conti group leaders. The hack is seen as a major blow to Costa Rica’s economy, with estimated losses reaching $125 million.
Ongoing Crisis
As the country struggles to recover from the attack, international trade continues to grind to a halt, leaving businesses and individuals alike facing uncertainty and economic hardship.
Key Statistics:
- Estimated losses due to the hack: $125 million
- Number of countries in Latin America with a national cybersecurity strategy in 2020: 12
- Number of countries in Latin America with a national cybersecurity strategy by July 2023: 20