Deplorable Conditions Continue in Border Security Posts Emergency Decree

The Ministerio de Seguridad (MSP) - Ministry of Security - in its plan to defend the border against the alleged and future invasions by Nicaragua in the area of Isla Calero, defined its needs and call to action. The Presidenta signed an emergency decree in February incorporation the changes.



The plan included spending some ¢3 billion colones in security alone, ¢1 billion of which would be used to buy a used helicopter, and the rest to buy camping tents, equipment and vehicles, for instance, and to improve the police stations in the border area.

The MSP used photos to show the deplorable conditions of the stations and what police officials daily face.

However, it's been more than a year and a half since the signing of the decree and little or nothing has been done.

The police stations in Medio Queso, Las Tiricias, Cuatro Esquinas, Cóbano and others are in the same deplorable conditions as before the decree and assignment of funds.

The situation is such that the officials working in these outposts are concerned for the health conditions, the discomfort they face daily and the boredom.

In fact, many officials interpret being assigned to these stations as a form of punishment, a reprimand.

Seguridad Minister, Mario Zamora, defends the "non action" saying they are in the process of determining the appropriate use of the funds requested from the Central government.

One can conclude that there was no emergency, for the stations have not been improved, nor the working conditions of the officials who assigned to protect the border.

One of those stations and personnel battling daily the lack of attention by higher ups is the Delta Costa Rica unit, considered one of the best police units, who continually face a Nicaraguan military post in the area of the Calero, at the mouth of the Colorado river and the division of the San Juan river.

Reports say that while Costa Rica's police officials look onto the great facilities of the Nicaraguan army, they have to sleep in makeshift containers, in a post that hasn't changed in two decades, with no running water.

The minister says the changes will be in stages. First it had to build the trail road - the Trocha - has it has come to be known, a road that has uncovered corruption and payoffs by government officials and contractors.

Meanwhile, Costa Rica's border is being guarded by a group of men and women whose live and work in conditions much worse than the criminals arrested and service sentences in prisons.