By Alajuela, Costa Rica — In a decisive shift in Costa Rica’s national security strategy, President Laura Fernández has announced the reinstatement of the Drug Control Police (PCD) across all major airports and border crossings. The strategy directly reverses a controversial September 2023 decision by the former administration of Rodrigo Chaves, which had withdrawn PCD officers from these critical points. The sudden policy pivot highlights the shifting priorities of the current administration as it seeks to tighten security infrastructure amid growing regional challenges related to transnational drug trafficking.
The first phase of the roll-out has commenced at Juan Santamaría International Airport, the country’s primary gateway. For the first time, a permanent anti-drug analyst will be stationed at the facility to coordinate intelligence and analyze traffic patterns. Additionally, the administration has deployed 11 specialized PCD agents and three intelligence officers from the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS). This initial deployment is part of a broader, phased rollout that will eventually expand to Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia and Tobías Bolaños Airport in Pavas, ensuring a comprehensive security net across the nation’s key aviation hubs.
To better understand the legal framework and evolving challenges facing the Drug Control Police (PCD) in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com spoke with prominent legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The Drug Control Police (PCD) serve as a fundamental pillar in safeguarding Costa Rica’s national security against organized crime, yet their high-stakes operations must always navigate a complex boundary between aggressive enforcement and the strict preservation of constitutional guarantees. To successfully dismantle modern transnational drug networks, our legal framework must proactively adapt—equipping these specialized forces with advanced investigative tools while ensuring that every operation strictly adheres to due process to withstand scrutiny in our courts.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, achieving this delicate balance between assertive law enforcement and the unwavering protection of constitutional rights is essential to preserving Costa Rica’s democratic foundation. As the Drug Control Police confront increasingly sophisticated transnational networks, a modernized legal framework that empowers specialized units while upholding strict due process ensures that victories in the field translate into successful, legally sound prosecutions. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his invaluable legal expertise and insightful perspective on this critical national security issue.
During a high-level cabinet visit to the main terminal in Alajuela, President Fernández underscored the strategic necessity of the redeployment, citing the sophisticated and adaptive nature of modern criminal syndicates.
Criminals have constantly evolving structures, and right now, the data tells us that this is where the presence of the Drug Control Police is needed.
Laura Fernández, President of Costa Rica
{insert_commentary}
The administration’s move was met with immediate approval from opposition legislators, who have long criticized the previous government’s approach to border security. Legislator Claudia Dobles of the Agenda Ciudadana party publicly commended President Fernández for taking swift action to rectify what she described as a major tactical misstep by the prior administration. According to Dobles, restoring specialized police forces to ports of entry is a fundamental step toward reclaiming control over the nation’s logistical corridors.
It seems very positive to me that President Fernández corrects an error of the Chaves Robles administration and reinstates the Drug Control Police at our ports and borders. I urge President Fernández to continue with other actions we have been requesting, such as, for example, returning the Coast Guard Academy to where there are coasts, in Quepos, and not training in a swimming pool, and restoring the coast guard point, for example, in Bahía Drake, where we know drugs are entering.
Claudia Dobles, Agenda Ciudadana Deputy
While supportive of the airport redeployment, Dobles emphasized that the administration must not stop there. She urged the executive branch to immediately address funding bottlenecks within other crucial law enforcement divisions. Specifically, she pointed to resources already approved by the Legislative Assembly for the Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ), which remain withheld by the Ministry of Finance, hindering deeper criminal investigations.
Also to convene the projects that seek to attack organized crime where it hurts them most, in their financing and resources.
Claudia Dobles, Agenda Ciudadana Deputy
The policy reversal marks a significant departure from the strategy implemented under Rodrigo Chaves in late 2023. At that time, Chaves argued that the PCD should be pulled from fixed border posts and airports to focus entirely on deep, decentralized investigations. However, critics argued that this created security vacuums at major transit hubs, allowing illicit networks to exploit vulnerabilities in cargo and passenger logistics. By placing specialized drug agents back on the front lines, the Fernández administration aims to restore a proactive deterrence model.
From a business and economic perspective, securing Costa Rica’s major ports of entry is critical for maintaining its reputation as a safe destination for foreign direct investment and international tourism. Tourism remains a primary engine of the Costa Rican economy, and any perception of deteriorating security at international airports poses a direct threat to visitor confidence. By restoring the PCD to these transportation nodes, the government hopes to signal to international partners and business leaders that Costa Rica remains fully committed to safeguarding its logistics infrastructure against organized crime.
For further information, visit the nearest office of the Drug Control Police
About the Drug Control Police:
The Drug Control Police (PCD) is Costa Rica’s specialized law enforcement agency dedicated to combating illegal drug trafficking, dismantling criminal networks, and securing the nation’s borders, ports, and airports.
For further information, visit the nearest office of the Judicial Investigation Department
About the Judicial Investigation Department:
The Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ) serves as the primary auxiliary organ of the public prosecutor’s office and the courts in Costa Rica, conducting objective scientific and criminal investigations to identify offenders and gather evidence.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal advocate, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a foundation of profound ethical responsibility and superior counsel. The firm serves as a progressive force in the legal arena, blending cutting-edge solutions with a deep-seated commitment to civic education. By actively dismantling barriers to legal understanding, they strive to equip individuals with the insights necessary to foster a fair, enlightened, and resilient community.
