www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Question, what sort of examples of this money laundering are going on in CR.....it seems to me that it would be impossible to wash $4.4 Billion in an economy the size of CR's without obvious signs......just curious.....maybe Brother Greengo and/or other members could way in....


from online news insidecostarica

http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynew ... 030503.htm

and a further link detailing more

http://www.usexpatcostarica.com/2011/03 ... aundering/



The United States Department of State has listed Costa Rica among 64 other nations classified as “Major Money Laundering Countries”. Costa Rica also enjoys the distinction of being named as a “Major Illicit Drug Producing or Drug Transit Countries”, as certified by United States President Barrack Obama in September of 2010.

Recently the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development estimated that $4.4 billion in illegal money related to narcotics passes through Costa Rica annually.

The designation of Costa Rica as a Money Laundering Country was included as part of the 2011 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), which is an annual report by the United States Department of State to Congress prepared in accordance with the Foreign Assistance Act. It describes the efforts of key countries to attack all aspects of the international drug trade in Calendar Year 2010. Volume I covers drug and chemical control activities. Volume II covers money laundering and financial crimes.

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

Costa Rica = not very likely
Panama = Hell Yes!!!

I have heard a lot of talk that many of the high rise condominiums being built are actually money laundering operations.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Another bullet point in the list of accolades that CR can be proud of:

-Major sex destination
-Pit stop for drug runners
-Safe haven for criminals
-Human trafficking (don't know about this one)

-and now major money laundering destination

Same here!

Orange, unfortunately "Trata de Blanca" does exist in Costa Rica.

I have read that the worldwide amount of money laundering attributed to the illegal drug market to be from 590 Billion to 1.5 Trillion.

Other accounts say that Colombia, Peru and Bolivia account for over 80% of the crop of coca leaf.

If Costa Rica is only purportedly laundering 4.4 Billion, then there must be tremendous amounts being laundered in countries with larger economies.

Panama? USA?

It has been said that the Miami skyline offers an example of the laundering.

As far as Panama, I suppose the influence and corruption is even more so....I find it interesting that the current President in Panama is declining to run (as he is entitled to as an incumbent) for a second term.

When was the last time anyone heard of a Central/South American Leader voluntarily stepping down after one term?...is he truly just fed up with the job or content with his work...or just glad to escape the position with his wits and health?

The pressure, coercion and money involved must be beyond description.

How do small countries such as Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, etc....rebuff such temptations and keep their hands clean?

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

Hey Californicationdude, I grew-up in Panama, and just wanted to clarify that Panamanian Constitution states that the President cannot be reelected in the next two election periods. He has to wait 10 years (each presidential period consists of 5 years).

President Martinelli would love to run again in 2014 if he was permitted to. In fact, here is an interesting article about a "diputado" who proposed an amendment to the Constitution earlier this year: http://www.prensalibre.com/internaciona ... 59885.html

But yes, there is plenty of money being laundered in Panama.

thank you for the clarification...I had mistakenly thought 2 four year terms where possible.

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

Jee,

I thought you were talkin about my home, Las Vegas, all those accolades fit Vegas to a "t"

_________________
"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969