With a crime surge that’s more dramatic than a telenovela twist, the nation is looking to its neighbor, El Salvador, for some hardline inspiration.
The surge in violence, predominantly driven by drug trafficking gang rivalries, marked 2023 as the bloodiest year in the country’s recent history.
Here’s the scoop: Costa Rica is on track to record 900 murders by the end of 2023, shooting up to a homicide rate of 17 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The United States has intensified its efforts against international drug trafficking by imposing sanctions on a notorious Costa Rican drug trafficker, known as “Macho Coca.”
The Canadian government has escalated its travel advisory for Costa Rica, urging a high degree of caution due to escalating criminal activities.
Costa Rica, long considered the safest country in Central America, is witnessing a year of unparalleled violence.