Costa Rica invites US military to combat drug trade

[Elzenga]

Deze de start van deze missie zal blijkbaar nog even op zich laten wachten, want bijv. de USS Makin Island is nog helemaal niet operationeel inzetbaar. Die is nog bezig met de laatste tests en aanpassingen na indienststelling...
http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/lhd8/Pages/MakinIslandWrapsupPSA.aspx

De "USS Freedom" Neemt deel aan RIMPAC 2010.

[VandeWiel]

Zo veel schepen voor zo'n klein land en om "drugs te bestrijden"? Klinkt als een drogreden.

Vreemd bericht dat nog vreemdere reacties (veelal conspiracies) oproept, zoals deze:


46 US Warships Plus 7,000 US Marines On Route To Costa Rica?

On the 2nd July 2010 the Costa Rica Congress authorized the entry of 46 U.S. warships capable of carrying 200 helicopters and warplanes, plus 7,000 U.S. Marines "who may circulate the country in uniform without any restrictions" , plus submarine killer ships to the Costa Rican coast for "anti-narcotics operations and humanitarian missions' between 1st July 2010 until 31st December 2010.

With this kind of nation destroying firepower, it gives real meaning to the expression "war on drugs", but if this a real six month "war on drugs" we should expect to see some fantastic results, right?

Politicians representing the Acción Ciudadana (PAC), the Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) and the Frente Amplio (FA) political parties opposed the measure saying that the destructive force of the ships, helicopters and 7,000 US Marines is "disproportionate for the fight against drug trafficking."

On Sunday, the President of Costa Rica Laura Chinchilla said that the government does not intend to militarize the fight against drugs and the Minister of Public Security Jose Maria Tijerino stressed that this huge, powerful military force would be under the command of the US Coast Guard and not the US Navy.

Although I don't suppose the Costa Ricans, the drug traffickers or we expats will notice the difference...

A few of the thoughts that raced through my mind?

• To my knowledge at the present time, Costa Rica is not suffering from any "humanitarian" crisis.
• The article did not make it clear what sort of "humanitarian missions" might take place.
• The article did not mention where any "humanitarian mission" might take place.
• Based on the truly horrific, drug crime related slaughters we have witnessed in Mexico, wouldn't it be better conducting these kinds of heavy weapon "anti-narcotics operations" in northern Mexico?
• With what is probably the world's worst environmental disaster going on right now in the Gulf of Mexico, surely it would be more appropriate to conduct "humanitarian missions" in the Gulf?
• Or, could these crucial warships and the 7,000 US Marines be fleeing from something far more dangerous that is about to happen in the Gulf of Mexico?
• The article did not make it clear whether these vessels would be patrolling off the Pacific or Atlantic coast but either way, is it possible they are on their way to Venezuela? Either as a show of force or something more serious?
• Does anyone know if any of these ships carry nuclear weapons?

Another politician Francisco Chacón defended the arrival of the US forces saying that "they would give humanitarian support, build schools and fight against drug traffickers."

If these 7,000 US Marines, 200 helicopters, warplanes and submarine killers are coming to Costa Rica to "give humanitarian support, build schools and fight against drug traffickers," perhaps we could ask them to repair the new highway to Caldera? With that kind of manpower they could have it finished in a week.

But seriously, what do you think is going on?

http://www.welovecostarica.com/public/46_US_Warships_Plus_7000_US_Marines_On_Route_To_Costa_Rica.cfm





Zie ook dit bericht, weliswaar in het Spaans maar "USS Makin Island"  (LHD8), "USS Freedom" (LCS-1) en cinco Harriers zal wel door iedereen begrepen worden

http://www.nacion.com/2010-07-02/ElPais/NotasSecundarias/ElPais2431541.aspx

[VandeWiel]

Published 09 July, 2010, 04:03

The government of Costa Rica has approved a measure to bring in 46 US warships and 7,000 troops to aid in the fight against drug trafficking.

In 1999, a previous agreement allowed US Coast Guard vessels into Costa Rica. The new agreement, however, brings in warships, helicopters and US Marines.

"Neither the Costa Rican government nor the US government through the ambassador or embassy has really told us what this is all about and what the mission is or what the deployment is. Ultimately it just smacks of something that we don't know, it's the unknown and that's the unknown that is causing a great deal of confusion in anger here in Costa Rica," said John Holtz in Costa Rica, who is the executive director of the Center for the Studies of Modern Management.

Costa Rica is dependent on its neighbors for military aid. The Latin American nation has no army or military of its own. In the past, it brought in help from Venezuela. However, with relations with Venezuela in decline, the US seemed the next best option.

"They're sending down just a massive amount of military. It's sort of like dropping the atomic bomb on a group of ants," said Holtz.

The US is not waging war in the region as the troops were invited by the Costa Rican government, but no clear mission or plan has been made known by either side.

"Unknown usually translates to anger and usually manifests an enormous amount of conspiracy theories," said Holtz.

Holtz said the question still remains how the troops will be able to target the drug lords and stop the money laundering, in addition to simply stopping the trade routes. He noted that he was not aware of any expert DEA (Drug Enforcement) officials involved.


http://rt.com/Top_News/2010-07-09/costa-rica-us-military.html