US Military Surge in Costa Rica May Fan Regional Tensions

Again the fascist state moves to Latin America to kill and destroy innocent people and protect the criminals that are destroying our planet. The destruction of Columbia is occurring right before our eyes. The bogus "drug war" is a method of building the US prison system and destroying any possibility of legalizing the drugs we all know and love. I am wondering what deal the fascist US regime offered Costa Rica, and what the consequences would be if Costa Rica refused to play this dangerous US game of terror against the peoples of Latin America. Unfortunately the American people generally have no clue why the US military and Pentagon create global wars based upon lies, so most Americans support these "war crimes" again and again. The documentary, "The Most Dangerous Man in America, Daniel Ellsberg" explains how the Pentagon and media lied to Americans about the reasons for the Vietnam genocide. The Iraq and Afghan wars are based on their own unique "lies." When a person finally wakes up to the lies of governments and media, an entirely new understanding of the world opens up, and we can never go back to believing "anything" the government and media says without complete critical analysis of the subject. My heart goes out to Latin America.

I live in Costa Rica and this whole thing has been blown out of proportion. The way it is reported it sounds (or made to sound) like 7000 troops will be allowed into Costa Rica and the fear is they are going build bases.

The truth is the 7000 are the sailors (no Marines) on the ships and they will be allowed shore leave only. Also the 46 war ships are not coming at once. That is the maxim allow for the year. The ships will be under command of the Costa Rica Coast Guard while in Costa Rica Waters.

The US Navy has been patrolling the waters of Costa Rica for drug smuggling for years now with ships and planes. This is noting new other then the fact the sailors now have the option of taking shore leave.

While the lack of mainstream media news coverage is shameful, the worst result is that the facts are replaced by rumors. James has it partly right. The personnel involved in this operation are mostly sailors, but there are about 700 Marines as well, according to the "Marine Times". The Marines would typically be operating from helicopters flown from the decks of carriers, which are surrounded by support ships. Allowing the Pentagon to get involved in the activities of the more rational Treasury Department Coast Guard is not a minor issue. The USA presence has escalated from drug intervention to a military presence that will alter the culture of peace-loving Costa Rica. The arrogance continues.

James, I too live in Costa Rica and I can assure you that our concerns are not blown out of proportion.

At the time of signing the1999 bilateral Maritime Counterdrug Cooperation Agreement between Costa Rica and the U.S., the Coast Guard was governed by Title 14 U.S.C. 1946 ed, Sec 1.

“The Coast Guard is designated a service in the Treasury Department except when operating as a service in the Navy. This is a better definition of the status of the Coast Guard than one which defines it as a service under the Treasury Department in time of peace, because the President is authorized to place the Coast Guard under the Navy in time of emergency, which could be in time of peace.” Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

TITLE 14 U.S.C. WAS AMENDED IN 2002

Title 14 U.S.C. was amended in 2002- Pub. L. 107-296 substituted "Department of Homeland Security" for "Department of Transportation".

TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS

“Transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization

Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6. Coast Guard transferred to Department of Transportation, and all functions, powers, and duties relating to Coast Guard of Secretary of the Treasury and of other officers and offices of Department of the Treasury transferred to Secretary of Transportation by Pub. L. 89-670, Sec. 6(b)(1), Oct. 15, 1966, 80 Stat. 938. Section 6(b)(2) of Pub. L. 89-670, however, provided that notwithstanding such transfer of functions, Coast Guard shall operate as part of Navy in time of war or when President directs as provided in section 3 of Title 14, Coast Guard. See section 108 of Title 49, Transportation.”

James, for a better understanding of the current mission of the U.S. Coast Guard now that it is under the Department of Homeland Security, I would recommend downloading the following document:  http://jsoupublic.socom.mil/publications/jsou/JSOU06-7bowenCoastGuardSOF...

I am of the opinion that the 2002 transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security significantly changes the mission of the Coast Guard from what is was in 1999 to one that violates both the letter and spirit of Article 12 of the Political Constitution of Costa Rica.