The United States has donated a new mobile unit, specifically designed to transport police K-9 teams, to Costa Rica's Border Police.

According to the Ministry of Public Security (MSP), the vehicle, a two-door Toyota Hilux Single Cab pickup truck, was donated through the U.S. Embassy's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

The vehicle is intended to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Border Police's K-9 unit, which carries out a wide range of law enforcement duties in the country's border regions.

The truck will improve transportation for K-9 teams, consisting of specially trained police dogs and their handlers, who routinely participate in surveillance operations, border control missions and other public security activities conducted by the Border Police, the ministry said in a statement.

The vehicle was specially modified to meet the transportation needs of police dogs. Among its key features is a climate-controlled compartment that maintains an appropriate temperature during transport, helping ensure the animals' well-being while they are deployed to operational areas.

Police K-9 teams are an important resource for the Border Police, particularly during border checkpoint inspections, patrol operations and other security missions where their specialized training enhances law enforcement efforts, the ministry added.

Through the Joint Patrol Treaty between Costa Rica and the United States, the U.S. government has provided extensive security assistance to Costa Rica over the years.

Most recently, a U.S. Southern Command-led counterdrug operation resulted in the seizure of nearly 2 tons of cocaine and the arrest of three suspected drug traffickers after authorities intercepted a speedboat in Costa Rica's Pacific waters.

According to the U.S. Department of State, the United States has provided nearly $270 million in bilateral and regional security assistance to Costa Rica since 2018.

The assistance has included specialized equipment, training and technical expertise to strengthen law enforcement capabilities, combat organized crime and improve the justice system's ability to prosecute transnational criminal organizations.

Costa Rica and the United States also recently signed an amendment to their bilateral patrol treaty expanding cooperation to include efforts against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, in addition to maritime drug trafficking.

In March, the United States donated two mobile cargo scanners to Costa Rica to strengthen security at major border crossings and enhance efforts to combat drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.

Costa Rica also joined a U.S.-led regional agreement at the Shield of the Americas Summit to strengthen cooperation against criminal cartels and transnational organized crime throughout the Western Hemisphere.

The Ministry of Public Security is responsible for maintaining public order, overseeing Costa Rica's police forces and coordinating the country's national crime-fighting strategy.

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