Costa Rica has persisted for three-fourths of a century since the abolishment of its military. On Friday, people and officials celebrated the prohibition of the military in the plaza which carries the event’s name. The country prides itself on diverting funds from the military to education.
On the 1st of December, Costa Ricans gathered to commemorate the 75 years since the official abolishment of the military. The gathering took place at Abolishment Square, where the former president, José Figueres Ferrer, symbolically destroyed the wall of the former military headquarters with a mace.
José Figueres Ferrer was the first president of Costa Rica after a civil war that took 2,000 lives, according to the Costa Rican government. His side had won the general election prior to the war, but the incumbent party declared the result fraudulent. Ferrer began an uprising and became head of the Costa Rican State after winning the war.
The United States helped install the new government in Costa Rica supporting Ferrer’s anticommunist side in the civil war.
As head of state, Ferrer helped draft the current constitution of Costa Rica in 1948. It included the “prohibition of the military as a permanent institution.” According to the Ministry of Culture’s website, it was intended to “create a climate of confidence and stability after the war,” and to guarantee help from the United States. Today, the United States is Costa Rica’s largest trading partner.
Investment in education over military
The Central American country has made a point of diverting government funds from military spending to public education spending. In 2022, the government of Costa Rica invested 6.3% of its gross domestic product into public education, higher than both the United States and Germany, according to the World Bank.
Costa Rica has a high percentage of workers with advanced education. The World Bank published that 75% of the Costa Rican workforce had received advanced education (bachelor’s degree or equivalent). By comparison, only 72% of the United States workforce had the same level of education.
Costa Rica is also ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world, according to several studies on citizens’ happiness. As per the World Database of Happiness, Costa Rica is the 7th happiest country in the world from 2010–2019.
Increase in violent crime
But despite the country’s peaceful history, Costa Rica has had an increase in violent crime in 2023. This year registered 26% more homicides in 2023 than in 2022 as per official data from Costa Rica’s judiciary.
Over 600 (around 70%) of this year’s homicides had “settling of scores or revenge” as the motive. According to the US Department of State, the increase in crimes can be attributed to Costa Rica’s role as a transshipment point for cocaine.
One of the goals of Costa Rica’s national plan is to reduce the number of homicides by addressing drug trafficking and highlighting the need for authorities to “keep a close eye on the border and shipping zones.”
While other Latin American countries may mobilize their military forces as a response to drug trafficking operations, Costa Rica has relied on its police force for public safety.
“For vigilance and conservation of public order, only the necessary police forces will be available,” says the Costa Rican constitution.
