2023 has emerged as Costa Rica’s most violent year, casting a grim shadow over the picturesque province of Guanacaste. Known for its serene beaches and fewer homicides compared to other regions, Guanacaste is now grappling with an alarming spike in brutal crimes.
A Chilling Discovery in Liberia
The year’s horror crescendoed on a Sunday morning when three charred bodies were discovered in a vehicle in Quebrada Grande, Liberia. This chilling scene, devoid of suspects and reeking of fuel, marked a sinister trend in the province. With 96 homicides to date, Guanacaste has witnessed a staggering 63% increase from the previous year’s 59.
A Year of Burned Bodies and Unsettling Crimes
2023 in Guanacaste has been marked by the haunting discovery of eight burned bodies, some potentially linked to drug trafficking and organized crime. These include the presumed remains of 43-year-old DJ Piricho in Sonzapote, La Cruz, and human bones found on Punta Loros Beach, Santa Cruz. Moreover, two more charred bodies were located in an old dumpsite in Nicoya, and another man was found burned in a vacant lot between Peñas Blancas and Nosara.
The Liberia Victims: Shrouded in Mystery
The latest victims, possibly from Paso Canoas, Puntarenas, were allegedly lured to Liberia for a business discussion. Speculations swirl around their identities, with rumors suggesting they owned a car wash and a mini-supermarket. Authorities remain tight-lipped, adhering to the confidentiality of ongoing investigations.
Criminal Migration and Police Oversight
Former Security Minister Gustavo Mata links the crime surge in Guanacaste and nationwide to inadequate police surveillance. He critiques the government’s “Costa Rica Segura Plus” plan, which reallocated officers from regions like Guanacaste to Limón, inadvertently exposing other areas to heightened insecurity.
Mata warns that criminal groups, often more strategic and well-informed than perceived, exploit these policing gaps. He notes that using fire in homicides is a tactic to destroy evidence and complicate investigations.
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