Costa Rica attorney general expands DEA partnership to hunt politicians and executives

In an interview, Attorney General Carlo Diaz outlined a new phase of Costa Rica’s collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration that will target business executives and politicians alleged to be connected to drug trafficking. Describing these figures as “invisible drug traffickers,” Diaz warned that senior status will not shield anyone from prosecution. He cited Costa Rica’s recent extraditions—six completed and 25 pending—as a turning point in the fight against transnational crime.

The initiative builds on earlier joint missions that focused on criminal organizations and occurs as the country grapples with a homicide surge that peaked at 17.2 per 100,000 in 2023. Diaz also rejected President Laura Fernandez’s proposal to allow U.S. forces on Costa Rican soil, arguing that better resources for local security forces are sufficient. Ongoing political friction between the attorney general and the government underscores the broader challenges of addressing organized crime in the nation.