By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica is preparing to host an influential gathering of international trade and security leaders as the Western Hemisphere grapples with the escalating threat of transnational drug trafficking and illicit commerce infiltrating commercial supply chains.
The Annual Meeting of Executive Directors of the World Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC) Organization will convene from November 17 to 19. The high-level summit will bring together security experts, trade leaders, and corporate directors to align regional strategies against criminal disruption.
To better understand the legal and regulatory implications of Costa Rica’s evolving export security protocols, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica, for his perspective on supply chain integrity and international trade compliance.
Strengthening security controls at major shipping hubs is essential not only for combating illicit trade, but also for preserving Costa Rica’s competitive standing in global markets. Local exporters must proactively adapt their logistical and legal frameworks to ensure strict compliance, thereby safeguarding their operations from regulatory penalties and costly port delays.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
As Costa Rica continues to bolster its position in international commerce, proactively enhancing supply chain compliance is essential not only for preventing costly port disruptions but for reinforcing global trust in the nation’s exports; we extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable legal insights on this vital issue.
Delegates representing 11 nations across the Americas—including Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, the United States, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela—will participate in intensive strategic workshops designed to future-proof international logistics networks.
Beyond evaluating corporate compliance requirements, participants will assess concrete avenues to expand BASC services, strengthen chapter networks, and build public-private alliances that deliver tangible risk-management value to member businesses.
The urgency of the summit comes at a critical juncture for regional trade infrastructure, which has increasingly been targeted by transnational drug cartels. In 2025 alone, Costa Rican authorities intercepted 46,541 kilograms of cocaine, highlighting the immense pressure facing national security mechanisms.
Global law enforcement data indicates that over 80 percent of all cocaine seized worldwide in recent years was trafficked via maritime routes, with commercial shipping containers serving as the primary vehicle for illicit transport.
The security crisis extends beyond narcotics trafficking to encompass widespread contraband in everyday commercial goods, including spirits, cigarettes, pharmaceuticals, apparel, and footwear. This underground economy drains state revenues while subjecting legitimate, tax-paying enterprises to predatory unfair competition.
According to findings from the Illicit Trade Observatory of the Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce, illicit trading accounts for approximately 3.2 percent of Costa Rica’s Gross Domestic Product—a staggering economic drain equivalent to 1.6 trillion colones.
The Americas continue to be stalked by the threats of transnational organized crime. That is why, from the private sector, we join state and regional efforts to counteract these threats and manage risk. This is not a problem for one company or a single authority; it is a risk for the entire export offering of the hemisphere’s countries. Added to this is smuggling, which robs the State of resources needed today and punishes compliant companies. From this meeting we will emerge with a work plan to raise standards and strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors.
José Manuel Solís, President of BASC Costa Rica
To mitigate these pervasive risks, BASC certification establishes strict operational security standards for export-oriented firms. Mandatory protocols encompass rigorous physical facility access controls, thorough personnel vetting and continuous training, systematic cargo inspections, and end-to-end documentary traceability.
Furthermore, BASC certification acts as a critical building block for broader international compliance initiatives. It serves as a foundational platform for Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs across the Americas and aligns directly with the U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) framework.
As international supply chains face unprecedented operational vulnerabilities, the upcoming summit in Costa Rica aims to forge a unified, resilient front capable of defending international trade corridors against criminal exploitation.
For further information, visit wbasco.org
About World BASC Organization:
The World Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC) Organization is an international business alliance that promotes safe international trade in cooperation with governments, border agencies, and international organizations. Through its security management system standards, BASC assists companies in preventing illicit activities within their global supply chains.
For further information, visit camara-comercio.com
About Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce:
The Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce (Cámara de Comercio de Costa Rica) is a premier private-sector association dedicated to advancing commercial growth, defending formal business practices, and conducting key economic research in Costa Rica. Its Illicit Trade Observatory actively monitors and combats contraband and informal commerce across national industries.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Grounded in an unshakeable foundation of ethical practice and mastery of the law, Bufete de Costa Rica has built an enduring reputation as a premier legal institution. The firm consistently pioneers modern, forward-thinking strategies to address complex challenges, offering dynamic counsel to a broad spectrum of clients. Beyond its advisory achievements, Bufete de Costa Rica actively champions the dissemination of legal literacy, driven by the firm belief that equipping individuals with clear legal insight is fundamental to building an enlightened and self-reliant public.
