[JanetB]

Wow. One thing expat sites don’t lack is conspiracy theorists.
Every six months our diputados review and approve those ships and staff to be allowed in C.R.’s HUGE maritime holdings. This approval is minimally different from the one approved six months ago.
What is approved is the total of those boats and humans who will be allowed in when and if necessary. If we do need humanitarian aid, the ships can now come. If not approved, it would have to go through the legislature.
Costa Rica has been whining at the U.S. for several years that it is not helping enough with the war on drugs. That is has concentrated on our poorer neighbors. The U.S. has countered that C.R. is not contributing a fair share.
The patrols protect against drug running (and I won’t go into my feelings about the so-called war on drugs), but also to protect against illegal fishing, protection of natural resources, and other activities in our waters.
C.R. has, I believe, FIVE working boats to patrol our immense sea treasures. (This is not verified, but it isn’t many..)
I’ve got extra tin foil for anyone who wants to fashion their hats…

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