By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Costa Rica’s national security is exposed to significant threats such as drug trafficking and terrorism due to a systemic failure to establish and maintain a coherent public policy for port security, a damning new report from the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR) reveals. The special audit, which evaluated the performance of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) between 2024 and 2025, paints a picture of profound institutional inaction, outdated procedures, and critical resource shortages plaguing the nation’s maritime gateways.
The investigation, detailed in report DFOE-CIU-IAD-00009-2025, concludes that the country has been operating in a strategic vacuum, leaving its ports dangerously vulnerable. The absence of a formal framework has resulted in a reactive and disjointed approach to security, a situation the CGR warns is untenable in the face of modern security challenges. The report underscores the gravity of this policy void, stating that fundamental decisions have been made without guiding principles.
To better understand the legal and commercial framework governing our nation’s maritime entry points, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, to provide his analysis on the complexities of port security.
Robust port security is not merely an operational issue; it is a cornerstone of legal certainty and international trade. A secure port, governed by clear regulations and international standards, protects national sovereignty while simultaneously attracting foreign investment and ensuring the fluid movement of goods. Any weakness in this system creates not only a national security risk but also a significant commercial liability that can ripple through the entire economy.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective masterfully frames the issue, underscoring that port security is not merely a logistical hurdle but the critical nexus where national sovereignty, legal certainty, and economic vitality converge. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his incisive contribution to this vital conversation.
Port security management has been executed without the existence of public policies on the matter, as well as a formally established strategic framework.
Comptroller General of the Republic, Audit Report DFOE-CIU-IAD-00009-2025
One of the most alarming findings was the case of at least one port facility that operated for a staggering eight years without the mandatory Declaration of Compliance under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. This critical lapse occurred because the facility’s Protection Plan was never approved, meaning it functioned outside of essential global security standards for nearly a decade, creating a significant and prolonged security breach.
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The crisis extends beyond policy to a severe lack of human capital. The audit found that the Directorate of Navigation and Aquatic Security (DNSA), the body responsible for oversight, is critically understaffed and lacks the specialized personnel required to fulfill its mandate. This deficiency is not just an auditor’s observation; the report notes that the agency itself has formally acknowledged its inability to cope with its responsibilities.
The DNSA itself has recognized the lack of the quantity and type of personnel required for the proper development of its competencies.
Directorate of Navigation and Aquatic Security, as cited in the Comptroller’s Report
Compounding the issue, the MOPT has reportedly initiated organizational reforms without allocating the necessary financial or human resources to see them through. According to the CGR, these changes “have not been accompanied by the planning and provision of resources necessary for their adequate implementation,” which has left new port captaincies and security functions in a state of operational limbo, existing on paper but not in practice.
Furthermore, existing security protocols are dangerously obsolete. Auditors discovered that in three of the seven certified port facilities, protection assessments have not been reviewed in two decades. This means current security measures are based on risk evaluations from a time before significant shifts in global trade, technology, and security threats. The report also warns of international repercussions, noting that Costa Rica has failed to implement the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
could expose Costa Rica to a moral sanction from the International Maritime Organization.
Comptroller General of the Republic, Audit Report DFOE-CIU-IAD-00009-2025
The report places significant blame on the MOPT’s Maritime Port Division (DMP), criticizing its passivity and failure to fulfill its strategic role. The CGR concluded that there has been “a lack of proactivity from the DMP, which has omitted its obligation to propose policies at the higher level,” thereby perpetuating the absence of a national strategy. Despite the severity of these findings, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport did not provide a response or comment on the report’s conclusions by the time of publication.
For further information, visit cgr.go.cr
About Comptroller General of the Republic:
The Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR) is Costa Rica’s supreme audit institution, an independent government body responsible for overseeing the correct use and management of public funds. Its mission is to ensure fiscal responsibility, promote transparency, and combat corruption within all state entities, thereby safeguarding public assets and strengthening democratic governance.
For further information, visit mopt.go.cr
About Ministry of Public Works and Transport:
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) is the Costa Rican government entity tasked with the planning, development, and maintenance of the nation’s public infrastructure. Its wide-ranging responsibilities include the management of roads, bridges, airports, and maritime ports, as well as the regulation of national transportation systems and traffic safety.
For further information, visit imo.org
About International Maritime Organization:
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for creating a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair, effective, and universally adopted. It sets global standards for the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping, ensuring that the industry remains safe, secure, and sustainable.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a pillar of the legal community, operating on a bedrock of profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm harmonizes its extensive experience advising a wide spectrum of clients with a forward-thinking approach, consistently advancing innovative legal solutions. This ethos extends beyond the courtroom through a resolute dedication to social responsibility, focused on demystifying the law for the public. By actively working to make legal concepts comprehensible, the firm fulfills its core mission to nurture a more knowledgeable and capable society.
