Costa Rican Govt Approves US Occupation Thousands of US Troops to 'Fight Drugs'

[Large Sarge]

Costa Rican Govt Approves US Occupation
Thousands of US Troops to 'Fight Drugs'
by Jason Ditz, July 06, 2010
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In another example of the growing militarization of the war on drugs, the Costa Rican government has given the US permission to launch an invasion of up to 7,000 Marines, ostensibly to “fight drugs.�

The vote was extremely controversial in Costa Rica’s legislature, with several MPs arguing that it gave he US a “blank check� to occupy the nation and was a threat to its sovereignty. Costa Rica has had no military of its own since its abolition in 1948.

Preceded by decades of on-again, off-again violence, the lack of a military has actually served the nation quite well over the past 62 years, and Costa Rica is one of the few nations in Central America not to face any violent uprisings or brutal dictatorships. The nation even celerates a holiday, on December 1, called Military Abolition Day.

Indeed, it appears that the only reason the nation is in America’s sights at all is because it is geographically so narrow, and an occupation of it could provide a convenient choke-point for blocking drugs from South America reaching Mexico and eventually, the United States, by land.

Under the terms of the agreement, US troops “will enjoy freedom of movement and the right to carry out any activities needed to fulfill their mission.� In addition to the ground troops, the US will be deploying 46 warships and hundreds of helicopters.

[DMac]

Was not aware of this, thank you Sarge

[Large Sarge]

I do not think its really about drugs

I think it is about China.

China reportedly has a large presence in Panama

and a recent article was titled "China has bought its first latin american country" (Ecuador)

[DMac]

I do not think its really about drugs

I think it is about China.

China reportedly has a large presence in Panama

and a recent article was titled "China has bought its first latin american country" (Ecuador)




We sold Panama to China vis-a-vi the Panama Canal under Clintonista.

US military presence in Costa Rica could be related to privatization efforts in the country...?



Under the terms of the agreement, US troops “will enjoy freedom of movement and the right to carry out any activities needed to fulfill their mission.� In addition to the ground troops, the US will be deploying 46 warships and hundreds of helicopters.

The Honduran coup could be related to this deployment.

Costa Rica's Opposition Rejects Entry Of US Naval Forces (http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2010/july/03/costarica10070301.htm)


As is customary, the US asks for authorization of Costa Rica's legislature before entry of any US warship and soldiers in Costa Rican waters. And as customary, the Costa Rica legislature grants its permission, as was the case on Friday.

The permission allows the entry of 46 US war ships and 7.000 Marines for the balance of the year (July 1 to December 31, 2010).


Costa Rica's opposition, however, see it different, describing the permission as illegal and in violation of national sovereignty.

The main opponents to the granting of the authority is the Partido Acción Cuidadana (PAC), the Frente Amplio (FA) and the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), arguing that the destructive force of the ships and manpower, that includes helicopters, is disproportianate to the threat caused by drug traffickers.

The 46 ships carry some 200 helicopters and war planes and includes the USS Freedom, combat submarines and a hospital ship.

Luis Fishman, head of the PUSC party and presidential candidate in the past elections, said the legislative approval was like handing over a "blank cheque".

"We cannot support the illegal, we cannot allow our Constitution to be trampled", said Fishman.

The PAC and the FA recalled that the bilateral agreement signed 10 years ago allowed the entry of coast guard vessels, but not war ships that have the capacity for military confrontations and war.

FA legislator José MarÃÂ*a Villalta questioned the conditions under which the permission was granted, since US personnel "will enjoy freedom of movement and the right to carry out the activities needed to fulfill their mission".

The FA also urged consideration of the geopolitical situation in which naval forces will be allowed to enter a region considered by Washington as part of its sphere of influence.

The legislator recalled that the US applies in the region a "strategy of complete dominance", which includes offensive actions such as the coup d'etat in Honduras and the installation of military bases in Colombia.

Opposition Deputies said they may take action, that could include an appeal with the Constitutional Court, against the decision of the Legislative Assembly since the permission for the ships, airships, helicopters and marines to enter the country violates the agreement reached a decade ago.

[Libertytree]

Costa Rica has had a heavy American influence for quite some time, it was very evident too by the way they were/are promoting debt via credit and credit cards, it's an all out ad campaign.

This is sad news, I have a t-shirt that says "Costa Rica No Army", looks like it's obsolete.

[Ponce]

Many bad things do I see ahead now for Costa Rica.....easy to let the US troops in but will be very hard to take them out. I was not going to say anything about this but.....the guy that I sat next to coming back from Argentina? it was an army major that was helping in setting up a US army base in that country.

Soon the chess board will be full and the game will start.

[I am me, I am free]

Many bad things do I see ahead now for Costa Rica.....easy to let the US troops in but will be very hard to take them out. I was not going to say anything about this but.....the guy that I sat next to coming back from Argentina? it was an army major that was helping in setting up a US army base in that country.

Soon the chess board will be full and the game will start.


And he was flying first class??

[Ponce]

Yes, your taxes at work >:(

[Atocha]

Oh yes....Use our military to protect another country....A border wide open with illegals pouring through and we send 7000 soldiers and the military armada to Costa Rica.....I swear this government is stuck on "STUPID".

[sirgonzo420]

Oh yes....Use our military to protect another country....A border wide open with illegals pouring through and we send 7000 soldiers and the military armada to Costa Rica.....I swear this government is stuck on "STUPID".


How fitting; so is most of the population!

[Ponce]

One of this days will be fighting the enemy right here in on our soil thanks to those in the US government.

We worry about killing five or six a day overseas and yet.....500 of them per day just walk into the US.

[Bullfrog]

Do we have a naval base there? What side of Costa Rica is it on? Do we have another naval base closer to Venezuela? Am thinking about an article I just read about Venezuela nationalizing some oil rigs real recently.