The United States Congress approved $40.7 million to be given to Costa Rica to battle organized crime during 2019, informed the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This amount represents an increase of 33% over last year’s aid; this increase obeys to the good results obtained by the Ministry of Public Security and the different police bodies in the country in their battle against drug traffic and organized crime. These funds are part of the budget destined for International Operations of the Department of State.

The request to increase the funds was made through the Costa Rican Embassy in Washington D.C. with the commitment of working on the security of the country and the region.

“In this achievement, the work of the Costa Rican Embassy in the United States was key with its constant communication and work with members of Congress, informing them of the seizures (drugs, firearms, etc.), the use of the equipment (donated by the US) and the training (of the personnel), that marks the progress of the country in terms of security”, stated the press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The United States donated over the past few years, three bulletproof tactical vehicles, three ships for the Coast Guard Service, four helicopters and six virtual shooting ranges.