COSTA RICA REITERATES NEED FOR IMMEDIATE MARITIME

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN JOSE 000586 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHAT/CEN, WHA/PPC, INL/LP, AND PM E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018 TAGS: PREL PINR MASS MCAP PINS SNAR CS SUBJECT: COSTA RICA REITERATES NEED FOR IMMEDIATE MARITIME INTERDICTION ASSISTANCE, SPELLS OUT OTHER PRIORITIES REF: SAN JOSE 530 Classified By: DCM Peter M. Brennan for reason 1.4 (b). ¶1. (C) On July 1, during the Ambassador's formal courtesy call with her, Minister of Public Security Janina Del Vecchio reiterated what she had told us on June 12 meeting (Reftel): Costa Rica needs immediate maritime interdiction assistance to help combat drug trafficking in littoral waters. She asked that we commit as much of the Merida Initiative funding to help fix the Costa Rican Coast Guard (SNGC) as possible. Del Vecchio emphasized that what the SNGC needed most are maritime interceptors that could both catch "go-fast" drug runners as well as board them. She acknowledged that her current SNGC fleet was inadequate for either mission. ¶2. (C) Speaking more broadly on security issues, Del Vecchio shared with us that President Oscar Arias had instructed her to obtain as much international assistance as possible to help address Costa Rica's deteriorating domestic security problems, which are directly linked to the effects of narcotrafficking throughout Costa Rican territory. She relayed that Arias told her that the GOCR's budget was already under a lot of pressure due to increased fuel and food prices and that there was little room in the budget to increase current levels of security spending. ¶3. (C) Del Vecchio told us that after the SNGC, her top priority was to professionalize the police and to ensure that they were properly equipped. The establishment of a new police academy was, she highlighted, an important part of reforming the Costa Rican police. (NOTE: Post has assisted the GOCR on this issue in an advising role, especially through our New Mexico State Partnership Program. END NOTE.) She said the police needed more medium-size trucks or SUVs that could be used off-road (4X4s) and more mobile command posts (bus-size type of mobile command and control units, they currently have just one) to deal with problems outside of the capital such as major drug busts or reacting to natural disasters. She confirmed to us that Costa Rica would be receiving 200 small patrol cars from China, though she did not have a time frame for their delivery. ¶4. (C) In a separate courtesy call with Vice-President and Minister of Justice Laura Chinchilla on July 2, Chinchilla told the Ambassador that Costa Rica was very pleased that the Merida Initiative had passed. The GOCR was confident this would help address security needs. Chinchilla also seemed interested in developing a strategic security plan for Costa Rica with USG help. We are exploring various options on how to proceed, including a seminar led by a team from the National Defense University's Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, perhaps as early as next month. ======= COMMENT ======= ¶5. (SBU) Regarding the types of maritime interceptors that Minister Del Vecchio requested, Post recommends that as part of the Merida Initiative the USG purchase 33-foot SPE-LE "Safe" boats. The USCG uses these types of boats for both interception and boarding of drug running "go-fasts" and are the desired choice for the SNGC. Earlier this year, a USCG survey team visited Costa Rica and concurred with Post's assessment. The advantage with this type of interceptor is that is has a foam-filled hull, similar to inflatables but without the risk of being punctured and losing air, to minimize any damage made during boarding operations. The rigid-hull type of design, such as those used for Enduring Friendship, can cause damage to both the boarding vessel and the vessel being boarded. CIANCHETTE