Defense and public security leaders from the United States and Central America take part in the Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC) to be inaugurated today at the Intercontinental Hotel in Escazu Canton, San José Province.

The conference's goal is to discuss ways to strengthen regional cooperation in support of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.

Jorge Torres, Ministry of Public Security co-hosted this year’s CENTSEC with U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which sponsors the annual conference.

"This year’s CENTSEC will include plenary sessions on critical infrastructure protection in the cyber domain, climate change and environmental security, and human rights," the U.S. Embassy said.

On Tuesday, Richardson announced a series of U.S. funded security assistance donations totaling $13.7 million that will enhance the nation’s ability to combat narcotrafficking and other threats. "These latest donations reflect the U.S. commitment to Costa Rica as a longstanding security and democratic partner," the U.S. Embassy said in its statement. 

The funds include $7.5M for a command & control system, $5.3M for an unmanned aerial system and $967K of parts & maintenance for the Air Vigilance Service.

Security leaders and delegations from Belize, Panama, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, Mexico, and the United States attended the summit.

The conference was last hosted by Costa Rica in 2016.

Richardson arrived in Costa Rica to meet President Rodrigo Chaves. The U.S. Army Gen.’s four-day agenda in Costa Rica includes meetings with an additional 13 government leaders, as well as co-hosting the Central American Security Conference.

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