Drug trafficking in Xosta Rica in 2025.

Drug trafficking has had a profound and multifaceted impact on Costa Rica, particularly evident in 2025 based on current trends and historical context. As a key transshipment point for cocaine moving from South America to North America and Europe, the country has seen significant social, economic, and security challenges tied to this illicit trade. Security and Violence

The most direct impact is the surge in violent crime. In the first two months of 2025, 63 of the 146 recorded homicides—approximately 43%—were linked to drug trafficking and disputes between rival criminal groups, according to judicial data. This mirrors a longer-term trend: in 2023, about 70% of the country’s record 907 homicides were tied to organized crime, a pattern persisting into 2024 and 2025. Gangs fight over control of trafficking routes and local drug markets, often using firearms, which are involved in around 80% of homicides. Urban areas like San José, as well as coastal provinces like Puntarenas and Limón near key ports, have become hotspots for this violence. The early 2025 homicide rate projection of 16.8 per 100,000 inhabitants reflects how drug trafficking has eroded Costa Rica’s historical reputation as a safe haven in Central America. Corruption and Institutional Strain Drug trafficking has strained Costa Rica’s institutions, particularly its underfunded police and judicial systems. With police salaries starting at roughly $600 per month, the risk of corruption is high, as cartels can offer substantial bribes to officials to facilitate trafficking or avoid prosecution. In 2023, authorities seized a record 132 tons of cocaine, yet this likely represents only a fraction of the total flow, given the country’s strategic location and 1,290-kilometer coastline—ideal for maritime smuggling. Operations like "Operación Caribe" in 2024 disrupted some networks, but the sheer volume of drugs overwhelms limited resources. The government’s "Costa Rica Segura Plus 2023-30" plan aims to bolster security with port scanners and more personnel, but implementation lags, leaving gaps that traffickers exploit. Social and Economic Effects The drug trade has also fueled social decay. Rising local drug consumption, particularly of cocaine and crack, has increased addiction rates and petty crime, as users steal to fund their habits. In tourist areas like Jacó and Manuel Antonio, this manifests as theft and scams, with 1,447 tourist-targeted crimes reported in 2023 alone. Meanwhile, youth unemployment (around 35% for ages 15-24 in recent years) and school dropout rates—exacerbated by poverty and lack of opportunity—make young people prime targets for gang recruitment. A 2024 study estimated that 10-15% of urban youth in high-crime areas like San José’s southern districts have some gang affiliation, often tied to drug distribution. Economically, while drug money may informally boost certain local economies (e.g., through money laundering in real estate or businesses), it undermines legitimate growth. Tourism, a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s economy contributing 8-10% of GDP, suffers as safety concerns deter visitors. A 2024 survey found 41.8% of Costa Ricans viewed crime—much of it drug-related—as the nation’s top problem, signaling broader societal unease that could discourage investment. Environmental Impact Drug trafficking also harms Costa Rica’s environment, a key national asset. Traffickers use remote areas like the Osa Peninsula and Tortuguero National Park to move drugs, often clearing jungle paths or polluting waterways with fuel and waste from boats. In 2023, authorities found makeshift airstrips and abandoned vessels in protected areas, linking these to cocaine transport. This degradation threatens biodiversity and ecotourism, which relies on the country’s "Pura Vida" image. Government and Regional Dynamics The Chaves administration has prioritized combating trafficking, with measures like increased police presence and international cooperation via the U.S.-led Regional Security System. However, Costa Rica’s rejection of militarization—lacking an army since 1948—limits its capacity compared to neighbors like Panama or El Salvador, where harsher tactics have curbed trafficking to varying degrees. Chaves’ mention of the "Bukele model" hints at tougher policies, but public support for such measures remains divisive given Costa Rica’s pacifist tradition. Regionally, Costa Rica’s role in the drug trade is shaped by its position between cocaine-producing nations like Colombia and major markets like the U.S. The Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, along with local groups like Los Monos, have entrenched operations here, exploiting weak borders and corruption in neighboring Nicaragua to move product northward. Seizures in 2025 are on pace to match or exceed 2024’s 100+ tons, but this success also underscores the trade’s scale. Conclusion In 2025, drug trafficking continues to destabilize Costa Rica, driving violence, corruption, and social issues while straining its economy and environment. The homicide spike, institutional vulnerabilities, and societal shifts reflect a country grappling with a problem it’s ill-equipped to fully contain. Without significant resource boosts, regional collaboration, or socioeconomic reforms to address root causes like poverty and youth disengagement, the impact is likely to persist, challenging Costa Rica’s identity as a peaceful, green oasis. For real-time updates, tracking OIJ reports or X posts from local sources could provide further insight as the year unfolds.