Data provided Wednesday by the Public Security Ministry demonstrate the impact Costa Rica’s border restrictions have had during the coronavirus crisis.
Since March 19, when Costa Rica began banning entry to tourists and most non-resident foreigners, just 22,405 people have legally entered the country, according to Public Security Minister Michael Soto.
That figure is particularly striking when compared to last year. For instance, on April 21, 2019, more than 23,000 people legally entered Costa Rica. On April 21, 2020, the country received just 410 people. A graph compares daily arrivals to Costa Rica over the same period in 2019 (red) and 2020 (blue). Via MSP.
“[This] shows what was normal for arrivals to the country for this period: about 13,000 or 14,000 people entering the country [each day],” Soto said. “There is a considerable drop since March 19, when we established the restrictive measures.”
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The Public Security Ministry (MSP) says it will join forces with the Environment Ministry (MINAE) to help protect Costa Rica’s national parks from illegal activity.
In recent weeks, Michael Soto, the Minister of Public Security, visited three protected wildlife areas in the Guanacaste region to discuss hunting, illegal tourism, logging and other types of crimes that occur in conservation areas.
“It was evident that both institutions can train and work together,” MSP said in a press release.
The Public Security Ministry says it will begin conducting so-called “mega-operations” in national parks. During a mega-operation, all branches of Costa Rica’s police coordinate their efforts in an area of suspected crime.
The Air Surveillance Service (SVA) of the Public Security Ministry on Monday unveiled a new airplane meant to assist in anti-drug operations.
The ceremony was held at Juan Santamaría Airport in Alajuela alongside representatives from the U.S. Embassy, which helped fund the purchase of the Cessna Grand Caravan. The $5.6 million investment includes the aircraft, spare parts, maintenance and training.
“The United States is committed to working shoulder-to-shoulder with Costa Rica to build a more stable, prosperous and secure region,” said U.S. Ambassador Sharon Day. “The incorporation of this aircraft and this hangar will help Costa Rica to improve its support to isolated communities and its patrol capacity in the territory, making a difference in the lives of Costa Ricans.”