The US To Send 7000 Marines to Costa Rica?

The U.S. and Costa Rican governments have comecaught in the middle of the conflict between the
to an agreement to expand U.S. military involvementsoldiers and the insurgents or in this case, the soldiers
in the anti-drug trade in Costa Rica. As a U.S. citizenand the traffickers. The whole issue of fighting the
who resides in Costa Rica, the latest news has somedrugs war has seemed to lead to more violence and
troubling aspects. There are currently U.S. Coastbloodshed, but certainly has not stopped the trade.
Guard members off the coast of Costa Rica helpingWhere there is demand, there will be a supply one
to patrol for drug smuggling. However, the latestway or another (but that is a whole other issue).
agreement between the Costa Rican governmentSecondly, Costa Rica could be opening a door to
and the United States would allow a much greaterincreased U.S. involvement that they will wish they
expansion of U.S. military power for the next sixcould close later on. While I truly don't believe that
months, 7000 marines, 200 helicopters, and 46the Obama Administration is going to circumnavigate
warships. It also includes an agreement that allowsthe wishes of the Costa Rican government, future
the U.S. military to "enter and leave the country atpresidents certainly could if they see it as
will" and even more concerning "the right to carry outadvantageous for U.S. interests. We have seen time
the activities it deems necessary in carrying out itsand time again how the U.S. has tried to bully and
mission"affect the politics of Latin American nations. Let's
The agreement was really pushed by the currentimagine that Costa Rica later says they want all the
leading party in Costa Rica which would betroops out of Costa Rican waters and territory, but
considered center-right. However, there is growinga new hawkish U.S. administration wants the efforts
opposition from other party leaders and a grassrootsincreased. At that point, Costa Rica will be without
opposition. No one wants to see drug traffickingoptions.
increase, and U.S. assistance could be helpful inIn the end, I think nations like Costa Rica need to be
stopping some of this trade. However, sometimescautious when allowing foreign troops to come into
things that seem completely positive could have atheir land. Though there may be good intent, it could
much more dangerous aspect to them.turn into something that they deeply regret and
Let's take the latest actions in Afghanistan. The U.S.actually undermine their own sovereignty. A helping
militaries goals are to assist Afghan government andhand can morph into an occupation quickly with the
to take out the insurgents. However, we can seevolatility of politics and the national interests which
that simple assistance can sometimes turn intoare constantly changing.
something much darker for the thousands people