During the visit of President Luis Guillermo Solís to Italy, Costa Rica signed an extradition treaty with the country and an agreement on mutual assistance in criminal matters.
Last year Antonio Iovine, alias “El Niño”, leader of the renowned Italian Camorra mafia dedicated to trafficking in drugs, arms and human trafficking was hiding in Costa Rica. Hence the importance of these treaties, both extradition and judicial assistance, given the issues of drug trafficking and other crimes.
President Solis is also taking the opportunity to thank Italy’s support to Costa Rica, when the Central American country wanted to enter the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The president also has a scheduled meeting with Pope Francis to thank him for his support in the immigration crisis experienced last year with the waves of Cuban citizens arriving in Costa Rica.
Solis also wants to talk with the Pope on disarmament, peace promotion and environmental protection.