Costa Rica’s Security Crisis Unmasked
Once hailed as a beacon of peace and prosperity in Central America, Costa Rica now finds itself in the grip of a growing security crisis. The rise of gang violence and organized crime has shattered the country’s image as a safe haven, replacing it with a disturbing reality that is threatening to consume the next generation. This article is part of an ongoing series that examines the spread of gangs across Latin America and the Caribbean, the failure of regional governments to curb the violence, and the humanitarian fallout that follows.
The Rise of Gangs: A Snapshot of Costa Rica’s Youth in Peril
For decades, Costa Rica, with its population of just 5.2 million, was considered a model of social welfare and security in Central America. The country famously abolished its military in 1948 and turned its focus toward environmental sustainability and tourism, drawing in 2.2 million visitors annually. But over the past decade, things have taken a dark turn. Homicide rates have skyrocketed by 81%, rising from 9.5 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2014 to 17.2 by 2023. The Costa Rica of today faces an unprecedented security crisis, with young people like Kevin at the center of it.
Why Costa Rica? The Perfect Storm of Factors
Several factors have converged to make Costa Rica a fertile ground for gang recruitment and violence. A regressive tax system, a poverty rate that peaked at 19.9% during the COVID-19 pandemic, and pressure to privatize public services have all contributed to rising inequality. Poor communities have become easy targets for drug-dealing groups looking to recruit young people to fuel their illicit businesses. The majority of the country’s homicides are linked to rivalries among criminal gangs and hitmen recruited from these youth gangs.
Organized crime is not new to Costa Rica. The country has long been a transit point for drug trafficking, but the recent global surge in cocaine production has made Costa Rica an increasingly attractive hub for smuggling drugs to the United States and Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic only worsened the situation, as tons of drugs got stuck on Costa Rican soil, leading to a spike in domestic consumption and gang turf wars. Meanwhile, the country’s police force and legal system were ill-prepared to handle the growing presence of Colombian and Mexican criminal organizations.
The Education Crisis: Fueling the Fire
One of the most alarming aspects of Costa Rica’s security crisis is the role of the failing public education system. Once praised as one of the best in Latin America, Costa Rica’s education system is now crumbling. The decline in teaching quality, coupled with the social disruptions caused by the pandemic and political decisions to slash education funding, has led to what experts call an “educational blackout.” The hardest hit are the 38% of children living in poverty, who are now more vulnerable than ever to gang recruitment.
According to Leonardo Sánchez, Costa Rica’s deputy education minister, the crisis in education is directly linked to the rise in youth criminality. “The quality of the [education] system is related to the incursion of the youth into criminality,” Sánchez explained. Disillusioned by a system that no longer promises a better future, many students drop out of school and are lured into the world of gangs.
The numbers are grim. Since the pandemic, around 5,000 teenagers have dropped out of high school and technical education each year, representing about 2.5% of the students at that level. For those over 18, the situation is even worse: half of the students who enter the school system never graduate. With limited prospects, these young people are easy prey for gang leaders who see them as expendable assets.
The Infiltration of Schools: A New Battleground
Schools in Costa Rica have become prime recruiting grounds for gangs. According to Isabel Román, coordinator of the Estado de la Nación report, public education is in its worst crisis in 40 years, largely due to a lack of economic support. In 2024, the government invested just 5.2% of GDP in education, far below the 8% mandated by the constitution. As a result, investment per student is less than half the average of other OECD countries. Austerity measures since 2019 have only made matters worse, with nearly 100,000 scholarships cut in 2023.
As conditions worsen, the illegal economy becomes increasingly attractive to students who were already in precarious situations. Teachers report that some students receive financial support from gangs in exchange for recruiting classmates or overseeing drug operations. Violence has seeped into classrooms, with students being killed during exams and teachers being arrested for selling drugs. In some areas, like Los Cuadros, police now patrol schools after students expressed fear of attending due to the violence.
The Government’s Response: Is Mano Dura the Answer?
In response to the escalating violence, Costa Rica’s president has called for hardline (mano dura) legal reforms, including longer prison sentences for teenagers involved in murder and extended pre-trial detentions. However, these proposals have faced strong opposition in Congress, and many question whether tougher penalties alone can solve the underlying problems.
Schools have protocols to deal with violence and at-risk children, but the cumbersome procedures often hinder immediate and effective interventions. Teachers and school directors are sometimes hesitant to report issues, fearing retaliation from local gangs. As a result, many at-risk students fall through the cracks, further fueling the cycle of violence.
The Humanitarian Response: Fighting a Losing Battle?
Humanitarian organizations are stepping in where the government has fallen short, but they face significant challenges. As a middle-income country, Costa Rica receives little international aid, despite the growing need. Groups like World Vision and local churches are working to provide emotional support, skills training, and community-building activities for vulnerable youth. But their efforts are often overshadowed by the allure of gang life, which offers a sense of belonging and quick rewards that the formal economy cannot match.
The growing insecurity also makes it harder for humanitarian workers to reach those in need. In dangerous neighborhoods, they must rely on local volunteers or even the police to ensure their safety. Despite these obstacles, dedicated individuals like Pastor Antonio Gutiérrez in Puntarenas continue to fight to keep young people in school and out of gangs, even as the odds seem stacked against them.
A Nation at a Crossroads
Costa Rica is at a critical juncture. The rise of gang violence and the decline of the education system are symptoms of deeper issues that, if left unaddressed, could lead to the loss of an entire generation. The country must take immediate action to improve education, reduce inequality, and provide real opportunities for its youth. Failure to do so will only allow the cycle of violence and poverty to continue, with devastating consequences for the nation’s future.
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