Kathmandu— Costa Rican President Laura Fernandez has indicated openness to potential US military operations within Costa Rica's territory, citing national security benefits against transnational crime, while stressing that such actions would require approval from the country's Congress and noting no current plans for such deployments.

Security Cooperation Framework

President Laura Fernandez, a right-wing populist who took office in May following a February election focused on security concerns, stated that US military operations could "bring national security benefits" if aimed at combating transnational crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism.

She clarified during a Friday interview with Reuters that any such deployment would require legislative approval, emphasizing that "it would obviously be very good for national security if it were about pursuing a common objective against transnational crime, transnational drug trafficking, transnational terrorism."

Fernandez also noted there are no current plans for US forces to operate in Costa Rica, though her remarks align with broader US efforts to expand military engagement across Latin America.

Crime and Political Context

Costa Rica's homicide rate has doubled over the past decade, reaching 17.2 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023, driven largely by increased drug trafficking activity, according to the source text.

The security crisis has become a top voter concern, with Fernandez running on a tough-on-crime platform. However, she has ruled out declaring a state of emergency, which would suspend constitutional rights to grant police and military expanded powers—a model popularized by El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele.

Critics argue that El Salvador's prolonged state of emergency, in place since 2022, has become a de facto permanent measure, raising concerns about democratic backsliding.

US Regional Strategy

Fernandez's comments reflect the broader strategy of US President Donald Trump, who has pushed to expand American influence in Latin America through military engagements since returning to office for a second term.

Trump recently launched the "Shield of the Americas," also known as the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (ACCC), to unite right-wing leaders in addressing drug trafficking. During its inaugural meeting, he urged Latin American governments to adopt a military-driven approach to crime, despite human rights concerns.

The US has already conducted military operations with Ecuador's right-wing government, though these efforts have been criticized for contributing to human rights abuses, including torture and enforced disappearances by Ecuadorian forces.

The situation remains fluid as Costa Rica weighs potential security cooperation with the US, while balancing domestic political considerations and concerns about human rights violations in similar partnerships.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.