Tough Talk and Familiar Playbooks in Costa Rica
THE ACTORS: Who is involved in this story? Laura Fernandez: The newly elected Costa Rican president, described as 'tough-talking' and a 'right-winger'. Her platform centers on combating drug-related violence. Curiously, the article omits her party affiliation ; she ran with the Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), a historically center-right party. Her opponent was from the centrist National
Liberation Party (PLN). U.S. State Department & DEA: Perennial players in Latin American drug interdiction efforts. Their involvement often dictates the 'tough-on-crime' narrative and shapes regional security priorities. The U.S. has poured billions into such efforts across Latin America, ostensibly to combat the northbound flow of illicit drugs (GAO Report, 2017). THE FUNDING: Where does their
money come from? While the article doesn't detail campaign finance for Fernandez, right-wing campaigns in Latin America, particularly those emphasizing 'security,' frequently receive significant backing from domestic business elites who prioritize 'stability' for investment. Historically, U.S. agencies have also funded anti-narcotics programs in the region, which can indirectly bolster political
rhetoric aligning with such goals. For instance, the Mérida Initiative provided over $3.3 billion in aid to Mexico and Central America between 2008 and 2020 for security and anti-narcotics efforts (Council on Foreign Relations, 2021). THE INCENTIVES: What do they gain from this narrative? For Fernandez: Political capital and public support by addressing a palpable fear among the populace regarding