Costa Rica President says US ground forces would improve national security

Costa Rican President Laura Fernández announced that she believes the presence of United States ground forces in the region could enhance Costa Rica’s national security. Speaking at a press conference in San José on Tuesday, Fernández said the collaboration would help address transnational threats such as drug trafficking, organized crime, and illegal migration that have increasingly affected Central America.

Fernández’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions between Washington and several Central American governments about expanding U.S. military assistance and joint operations. While Costa Rica has traditionally maintained a non‑militarized stance, the president emphasized that any deployment would be limited to training and support roles, coordinated with the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security. Regional partners, including Panama and Guatemala, have expressed similar interest in U.S. involvement, citing shared security concerns. The administration indicated that formal agreements are still under negotiation and that any ground presence would be subject to parliamentary oversight.