Costa Rica: Safety Information for January

1. Overview of Incidents:

January 8: A man in his late 30s was shot and killed while living on the streets in Pavas.
January 10: A Nicaraguan couple was critically injured in Monte de Oca when they were shot by two men on a motorcycle. The couple had fled to Costa Rica from Nicaragua due to political persecution.
January 11: Shots were fired at a vehicle in a high-rise parking area in Romosel. No injuries reported, but the gunfire also hit a glass door of a vacant shop.
January 15: An 84-year-old former bank manager was assaulted in Escazú by an intruder seeking to steal his car. The intruder was apprehended by the police.
January 19: Four young men were shot and killed in a poor neighborhood in Goicoechea. The victims were believed to be involved in drug-related activities.

January 2: A 41-year-old Honduran was shot and killed at home by nine men. The intended target was a crime group leader who was unharmed.
January 3: A 23-year-old man was killed and his 34-year-old companion injured when they were ambushed while riding a motorcycle in Matina.
January 16: A 32-year-old man was chased and shot by three assailants along National Route 32 in Matina. The suspects were later arrested.
January 18: A police officer was killed, and his wife injured in Limón by two men on a motorcycle.
January 26: A 48-year-old man was abducted and later found dead by a river in Guasimo. The body showed signs of torture.
January 28: A man in his late 30s was stabbed to death in Limón during an argument with other homeless individuals.

January 3: A 16-year-old was found dead from gunshot wounds on an unpaved road in Puntarenas.
January 6: A 20-year-old man was shot multiple times while riding a motorcycle in Quepos.
January 23: A 42-year-old man was found dead from gunshot wounds in a private property in Osa.
January 24: A police officer was killed by drug traffickers in Guarito. Another officer was injured but survived.
January 27: The bodies of two missing persons were found in the Tarcoles River with signs of torture.

January 7: A 26-year-old prisoner was critically injured after being stabbed multiple times during a fight in San Carlos prison.
January 9: An explosive device was thrown at a police car in San Carlos, but no injuries were reported.
January 14: Four men posing as police officers stole cash, guns, and a car from a residence in Guatuso.
January 19: A trailer carrying cleaning supplies was stolen by four men in Alajuela. The driver was left tied up by the roadside.
January 24: A domestic violence incident in Rio Cuarto resulted in the attacker injuring a police officer. The suspect had a long criminal record.
January 26: Four robbers stole cash and emptied an ATM from an office in San Carlos.

January 4: A 27-year-old man was shot in La Unión and died the following day. The victim had a criminal record and had been attacked multiple times.
January 13: A 58-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man were shot in La Unión. The attackers were on a motorcycle and targeted the woman and man who had prior criminal records.
January 29: Three robbers tied up security guards and stole phones and guns from a viewpoint in Paraiso.
January 30: Two men, aged 31 and 28, were shot and killed in Turrialba. The shooting is linked to a rise in violence due to drug gangs expanding their territory.

January 4: A 30-year-old man was shot and killed in Sardinal after a fight. The suspect was arrested shortly after.

2. Safety Recommendations: