Military of Costa Rica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
On December 1, 1948, President José Figueres Ferrer of Costa Rica abolished the country's army after victory in the civil war in that year.[1] In a ceremony in the Cuartel Bellavista, Figueres broke a wall with a mallet symbolizing the end of Costa Rica's military spirit. In 1949, the abolition of the military was introduced in Article 12 of the Costa Rican Constitution.
The budget previously dedicated to the military now is dedicated to security, education and culture; the country maintains Police Guard forces. The museum Museo Nacional de Costa Rica was placed in the Cuartel Bellavista as a symbol of commitment to culture.
In 1986, President Oscar Arias Sánchez declared December 1 as the Día de la Abolición del Ejército (Military abolition day) with Law #8115.
Unlike its neighbors, Costa Rica has not endured a civil war since 1948.
Costa Rica maintains small forces capable of law enforcement and foreign peacekeeping, but has no permanent standing army.
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[edit] Ministry of Public Security's Public Force
During 1996, the Ministry of Public Security established the Fuerza Pública or Public Force which reorganized and eliminated the Civil Guard, Rural Assistance Guard, and Frontier Guards as separate entities; they are now under the Ministry and operate on a geographic command basis performing ground security, law enforcement, counter-narcotics, and border patrol functions.
Outside the Fuerza Pública, there is a small Special Forces Unit, the Unidad Especial de Intervencion (UEI) or Special Intervention Unit, which trains with special forces of Israel, and its namesake in Spain and other democratic nations, but is not part of the main police forces, instead it is part of the Intelligence and Security Directorate (DIS) which reports directly to the Minister of the Presidency.
There is also a Military Police force, notable for its participation in Operation Power Pack.
[edit] Weapons and equipment
Weapons include M16s, M4A1s, UZIs, MP5s and other weapons such as the M1911 .45ACP and Beretta M9 semiautomatic pistols.
[edit] Aircraft inventory
There are 11 aircraft on government support, law enforcement, and civil duties.
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service[2] | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aero Commander |  United States |
utility transport | 695 | 1 | |
| Cessna 206 | United States |
utility | 206G | 2 | |
| Cessna 207 | United States |
utility | 1 | ||
| de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou |  Canada |
tactical transport | 1 | ||
| MD Helicopters MD 500 | United States |
utility helicopter | MD 500E | 2 | |
| Piper PA-31 | United States |
utility | 3 | ||
| Piper PA-34 | United States |
utility | PA-34-200T | 1 |
[edit] In popular culture
- The Jurassic Park book and movie incorrectly portray Costa Rica as having a military Air Force in the timeframe of the book.
- The South Park episode "Rainforest Schmainforest" incorrectly portrays that Costa Rica has a military force in the timeframe of the series.
- The upcoming videogame Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker will feature Costa Rica's lack of military as a vital point in the history of the Cold War.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ El Espíritu del 48. "Abolición del Ejército". http://www.elespiritudel48.org/docu/h013.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-09. (Spanish)
- ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2007.
[edit] External links
- Ministerio de Seguridad Pública.
- El Espíritu del 48: Abolición del Ejército A brief history of the abolition of the military in Costa Rica.
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