DCI WORLDWIDE BRIEFING -- COSTA RICA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83M00914R002100170024-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 24, 2006
• Sequence Number: 24
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2006/05/24: CIA-RDP83M00914R002100170024-9
SE CRE T
DCI WORLDWIDE BRIEFING -- COSTA RICA
Government Forces: Costa Rica has no army but the public
security forces, which include five
separate organizations, number about
7,000.
Armed Extreme Left: Estimated to be about 500.
Government:
-- Social democratic President Luis Alberto Monge took
office in office in May 1982. He faces formidable
economic problems, and government austerity measures to
satisfy IMF demands may erode Monge's popular support.
-- Monge and Foreign Minister Volio have strongly condemned
extreme left activites in the region. Elements of his
own party feel the Monge/Volio approach is too
confrontational.
Extreme Left:
-- Electoral strength minimal--about 6.4% of February 82
vote, a decrease from their 7.3% share of the 1978
election.
-- Includes three active groups, with about 500 armed
members.
Controls about 50,000 workers, but recent banana strike
settlement did not satisfy any of the workers' demands
and may have eroded Communist labor support.
We have little recent reporting of weapons shipments
through Costa Rica,
os a Rica con roues to serve
as a contact and transit point for Salvadoran and
Guatemalan guerrillas.
-- Evidence of increased Cuban/Nicaraguan support for
subversion against Costa Rice includes:
Approved For Release 2006/05/24: CIA-RDP83M00914R002100170024-9
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GF.rRVT
-- Cuban promise of support to new leftist political
party to be headed by former Minister of Security,
Johnny Echeverria.
-- As of August 1982, GRN had provided training and
assistance to 100 Costa Rican leftists in
Nicaragua.
Extreme Right
-- Free Costa Rica Movement (MCRL), an organization of
conservative businessmen, exists to oppose the Communist
threat.
-- Estimated membership: 500-1,000.
Frequently makes paid press denunciations of leftist
activities.
-- Currently providing paramilitary training of weekends
for 150 members.
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