On Thursday morning, the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica made official the donation three tactical security vehicles, nicknamed “The Beasts” that will be part of the country’s police forces.
One of the armored vehicles was donated to the Fuerza Publica (National Police); the other to the Unidad Especial de Intervención (UEI) – special intervention unit of the Dirección de Inteligencia y Seguridad (DIS) – national intelligence and security service of the Presidency; and the third to the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ).
The OIJ has used a tactical vehicle called “The Protector” but initially became popular as “The Beast” in operations by the Servicio Especial de Respuesta Táctica (SERT) – Special Service of Tactical Response – in the raids. According to Wálter Espinoza, head of the OIJ, that vehicle was used 262 times during 2017, reflecting its usefulness in fighting the growing delinquency in the country.
“It is a difficult moment with all the delinquency in the country so the help of friendly countries constitutes a very important possibility for us. The car will be called “El Justiciero,” said Espinoza.
For his part, Mariano Figueres, director of the DIS said the units will allow security teams better coordination to fight organized crime.
Sharon Day, U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica, highlighted the alliance between the two countries.
“I can confirm that the support to the government of Costa Rica will continue for many more years,” said the Ambassador.
The presentation was made at a park near the U.S. Embassy in Pavas, on the west side of San Jose.
Each unit has a cost of US$208,221 dollars, putting the total of the donation to more than US$600,000 dollars.
Estos vehículos que se suman a la seguridad ciudadana, son de doble tracción, fueron equipados en Estados Unidos con tecnología de punta, cámaras infrarrojas y vidrios blindados. pic.twitter.com/QLrwWieYPR
— Gustavo Mata Vega (@gustavomatacr) January 25, 2018
