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It was a classic example of the two-day controversy that happens when politicians manufacture a scandal, and it's over. Last week, the Legislative Assembly voted overwhelmingly to give the United States permission of continue its anti-narcotics campaign in Costa Rica's territorial waters.
Earlier the Citizen Action Party and several tiny left-wing parties called for an investigation of the alleged "invasion" of national sovereignty by anti-drug smuggling forces augmenting the meager local Coast Guard patrols.
Lawmakers granted the permit by a 31-8 vote. Opponents, risking criticism that they were playing into the hands of drug-smuggling cartels, charged that the operation by 7,000 men, 46 warships and U.S. Coast Guard cutters, augmented by five Harrier jet fighter-bombers and a number of helicopters constitutes a "blank check" for allowing military operations here.
U.S. authorities noted that they would not dock here en masse but ships would put in singly to Costa Rican ports a few at a time when needed. They will be required to ask permission a month in advance under the recent measure.
Drug cartels use a variety of sophisticated methods to ship drugs to U.S. illegal markets, including using vessels that travel partially under water, presenting a tiny target difficult to pick up by radar. Costa Rica is strategically placed as a "bridge" for these operations and not only has virtually unprotected borders but two coastlines the local Coast Guard finds difficult to patrol even for illegal fishing boats.
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