Drug sales and the activities around this business caused Costa Rica to reach a new record of violence. Many citizens are afraid and feel powerless, and the authorities recognize the unprecedented panorama, with 2017 being the year with the most homicides (582), and expected to end with more than 600 victims of murder.
Drug trafficking is at the center of the configuration of violence. The demand and the offer for drugs increased, along with has certain characteristics and aggressive implications that impact the country.
According to Michael Soto, Chief of Plans and Operations of the OIJ, the drug market is “appealing” is because of the millions of colones and power in the drug stations. Organizations increasingly want more ground and this generates a fierce competition. It is a war that bleeds certain districts, certain communities more than others, affecting the entire country.
The criminal organizations -large or small- have an expansionist culture. They want their initially small group of drug distributors to grow and produce more resources, and this unleashes war. In their search for more land, the bosses of the narco-families and criminal organizations send their men to kill. They then become hit men, which does not get them too much money, but it helps them gain respect and improve their position within the group.
This year the main fights between gangs are concentrated in neighborhoods south of the capital, Pavas and to the northeast. The absence of the leaders, who are in jail or were killed, also causes an internal struggle to take over the power. This was the case of Guido Toruño, also known as “Gringo,” the most wanted narc leader who was killed last week by his rivals.
The Ombudsman’s Office, the OIJ and the Public Ministry agree that the solution to this phenomenon is not in a single actor or sector.
Costa Rica requires expanding the actions of citizen security to a real human security, which implies reducing threats such as unemployment, crime, social conflict, environmental risks, hunger, among other social problems,”
added Montserrat Solano, Ombudsman.
Another factor is the increasing drug use. According to the Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (IAFA), in 2010, seven out of every 100 men had used marijuana at least once in their lives. For 2015, this proportion increased to 17 out of every 100. And although only 2% have tried drugs derived from the coca leaf, there was also an increase in the use of this type of drug.
When we talk about a young man who is involved in drugs (sales) we are talking about a large number of absences: absence of family, absence of values (…) For example, a 10-year-old boy was sent by his father to transport a bag with drugs(…) when the police approaches him, he tried to lie,”
explained Andrade.
The Director of the Public Force also acknowledged that the institution needs more personnel to improve the containment of violence.