Q COSTA RICA — Costa Rica, known for its long-standing commitment to peace, abolished its military in 1948 and has since relied on diplomacy and civilian policing to maintain security.
Allowing U.S. ground operations on its soil would break with that tradition and carry implications far beyond the immediate tactical advantages.
Why are we talking about it?
The issue arose after President Laura Fernández stated in an interview with Reuters last week that potential U.S. ground operations would be “very beneficial” for Costa Rica’s security.
The possibility of the United States conducting ground operations in Costa Rica has sparked debate about the implications of allowing forces from another country to operate within its national territory.
Fernández explained that such cooperation could contribute to combating transnational crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism. She also revealed that a discussion about this possibility took place several months ago and that she explained to U.S. authorities the legal procedures that must be followed in Costa Rica.
“It would obviously be very good for national security if it were about pursuing a common objective against transnational crime, transnational drug trafficking, transnational terrorism,” Fernandez told Reuters when asked about the possibility of U.S. ground operations on Costa Rican soil.
Fernandez’s comments signal a willingness to collaborate more closely with the United States on defense matters, reflecting concerns about crime, drug trafficking, and other security threats in the region. While Costa Rica traditionally maintains a neutral stance without a standing army, this openness to U.S. military presence marks a notable shift in the country’s security policy.
Costa Rica and the U.S. have cooperated for years on security matters, including through joint maritime patrols. U.S. President Donald Trump invited Costa Rica to join his Shield of the Americas coalition, which is aimed at combating drug cartels.
Fernandez, who took office on May 8, campaigned on a tough anti-crime platform, vowing to restore order in Costa Rica, a country that has seen a spike in drug trafficking and violence in recent years. The homicide rate hit a record 17.2 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023, double the rate of a decade ago.
However, the president clarified that no concrete operation is currently underway.
Daniel López, an expert in international relations, told Noticias Monumental that these types of actions between countries are common; however, he asserted that their scope and limits must be clearly defined to prevent violations of national sovereignty.
López pointed out that any potential ground cooperation does not mean that another country can operate freely within Costa Rica, and explained that some decisions would even have to be reviewed by the Legislative Assembly.
Costa Rica and the United States currently maintain cooperation on security and counternarcotics, although any potential ground operation would have to adhere to the procedures and limits established by the country.
Costa Rica’s constitution strictly regulates foreign military presence within its borders. Any deployment of foreign troops, including those from the United States, demands explicit approval from the country’s Legislative Assembly.
Costa Rica depends on its civil police force instead of a military, so letting foreign troops operate on its soil is a very sensitive issue. Critics and experts in the region warn that this could signal a shift toward militarizing Central America.
President Fernández’s comments quickly spread across social media and caught the attention of major news organizations both at home and abroad.