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Caribbean-Latin America
USN In Costa Rica
2010-07-13
Opposition leaders in Costa Rica are up in arms over an agreement between the country and the United States that reportedly allows 46 US warships and 7,000 US Marines to enter the country as part of an anti-drug effort.
46 warships is nearly 20% of the entire fleet ...
According to several Costa Rican news sources, the government there signed an agreement with the US last week to extend an 11-year-old cooperative program aimed at eradicating the maritime drug trade.

But opponents say this year's deal differs from previous ones in that it allows US warships to enter the country. Previously, opponents say, only US Coast Guard vessels were allowed to enter Costa Rican territory. The new agreement expires on December 31 of this year.

A committee of the People's Movement political party said the deal turns Costa Rica into a "US protectorate" and brings the country into "a new phase of military occupation," according to the Costa Rican newspaper El Pais.

Costa Rica's Nacion newspaper reported last week that the new agreement will see 7,000 US Marines, supported by 200 helicopters and 46 warships, "enter and leave the country at will." The paper also cited a June 2 letter from Costa Rica to the US declaring that US troops will have "the right to carry out the activities it deems necessary in carrying out its mission."

Inside Costa Rica reports that opposition leaders see the US military force as disproportionately large compared to the problem of Central American drug-running.

Luis Fishman, head of the Christian Social Unity Party, said the deal amounts to a "blank check" for US forces in Costa Rica. "We cannot support the illegal; we cannot allow our Constitution to be trampled," he said.
Posted by: Anonymoose

#3  Warships will totally ruin your roads.
Posted by: bigjim-CA   2010-07-13 15:03  

#2  the deal turns Costa Rica into a "US protectorate"

Given that Costa Rica has no armed forces, I can understand why the country might need some protecting.
Posted by: Frozen Al   2010-07-13 11:33  

#1  But opponents say this year's deal differs from previous ones in that it allows US warships to enter the country.

I understand their concern. I too think the warships should stick to the water, or no more than 20 miles inland
Posted by: Frank G   2010-07-13 08:31  

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