An active member of the Mara Salvatrucha fled El Salvador with an arrest warrant and arrived in Costa Rica, where he sought refuge from the national authorities.
The country is on alert. Only in the first half of 2016 a total of 30 mareros entered Costa Rican territory. The figure is alarming, since in the last 10 years only 22 cases had been identified, but in only six months the historic figure was exceeded.
Michael Soto, head of the Office of Plans and Operations (OPO) of the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) said that they even keep the subject under surveillance, since he is considered an active militant of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13).
He reportedly fled El Salvador with an arrest warrant, arrived in Costa Rica and then sought refuge in the country. However, the man could have the intention of founding a gang in the country.
It is very likely that he has some mission in the country. We are aware that the fact that 30 people belonging to this gang are entering has a special meaning,”
said the official.
After applying for refuge in the national territory, the country must complete a bureaucratic procedure before the expulsion of the Salvadoran or before proving him with the refuge he seeks. This procedure may involve appeals and may be extended for long periods of time.
Given the situation, the OIJ has reinforced the measures to detect the subjects and proceed with the expulsion.
President Solís and Security Minister Gustavo Mata issued a directive to expel foreigners who pose a risk for national security.
The country has detected the presence of subjects of the Mara 18, also known as Barrio 18 and its rival, Mara Salvatrucha. Although they were born in Los Angeles, USA, they have a strong presence in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala and are related to crimes such as robberies, assaults, murders, drug trafficking, among others.