Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Security announced they have invested in the purchase of four new vessels to help battle organized crime in Costa Rican waters.

“With satisfaction we announce that the ships GC110-1 Libertador Juan Rafael Mora Porras and GC110-2 General Jose Maria Cañas Escamilla (both donated by the United States to the Costa Rica coast guard service) are already painted and almost ready.
A team is in the United States with professional and specialized technical personnel and representatives of the Costa Rican government. We expect the vessels to leave on December 28 from the Fairland Boat Works dock in Newport News, Virginia to the Coast Guard base in Baltimore, Maryland.
Once the first phase is completed we will begin in January 16 with phase II (training and familiarization) which will take place in the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies in Baltimore, Maryland and where 47 officers of the National Coast Guard Service will be training to learn the operation of the electronic and communication equipment; when this phase has concluded we will have the ships ready to serve the country’s security”, stated Gustavo Mata, Minister of Security.

“We also want to inform that we have started the process to purchase through the United States Embassy, another 4 vessels, two of 38 feet, one of 45 feet, and a fourth one 85 feet and involving an investment of $9.69 million” , continued Mata.

The Minister also confirmed the donation by the United States of three tactical vehicles known in Costa Rica as “Bestias” to be used by Specialized Units.

The Migratory Police also received six minibuses to be used in the transportation of those apprehended.