Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves said he will raise with the United States government — under the leadership of Republican President Donald Trump — the issue of illegal gold mining in the northern part of his country, denouncing what he described as the large-scale theft of gold and sediment from Costa Rican territory.
Chaves pointed specifically to gold extracted illegally from the Crucitas area, which he said is later commercialized in Nicaragua and purchased by Chinese companies.
Near the end of a press conference, Chaves announced that he and President-elect Laura Fernández will travel to the United States following an invitation from Trump to attend a meeting in Florida with a small group of Latin American leaders. The gathering is expected to address a plan known as “The Shield of the Americas.”
“I am going to bring up the issue of illegal mining (…) President Trump has extended the invitation in the plenary session of the meeting to the current head of state and one guest,” the Costa Rican president said.
Read also: Costa Rica Alleges Chinese Companies in Nicaragua Are Buying Stolen Gold From Crucitas
“They’re stealing Costa Ricans’ soil”
Before the announcement, Public Security Minister Mario Zamora presented the latest findings from the Border Police and Public Force under the so-called Crucitas operation, stating that illegal mining activity is affecting nearly 3,000 hectares.
“Mr. President, they are stealing Costa Ricans’ soil in bulk. What used to be Cerro Las Conchuditas has nearly disappeared. There is now a new technique added to previous ones: simply filling sacks with soil, taking them out of Costa Rica and selling them in Nicaragua,” the minister said.
The statements come days after Zamora, during the presentation of the report “Save Crucitas,” warned of a more than 200 percent increase in illegal gold extraction in Crucitas, in the canton of San Carlos. He argued that the situation underscores the urgency of passing a bill promoted by the current administration to legalize open-pit mining in the area.
According to the minister, the affected area has expanded from 900 to more than 3,000 hectares, encompassing Crucitas and now Cerro Las Conchuditas. He also warned that transnational organized crime groups operating there have evolved their illegal extraction methods from artisanal to semi-industrial techniques.
Read also: $354 Million and Counting: The Most Valuable Properties Confiscated by Ortega
“Each little handful of gold is worth $5,000”
For his part, Chaves sharpened his tone when addressing Costa Ricans about the value of the illegally extracted gold.
“Think about it: 31 grams of a yellow powder — that’s worth $5,000, 2.5 million colones (…) and there are millions of troy ounces in those areas,” he said.
Chaves also openly criticized lawmakers from the Frente Amplio party (Broad Front party), accusing them of blocking legislation aimed at combating illegal mining.
“Other Frente Amplio deputies say no — that they will file thousands of amendments to that bill to prevent each little handful of gold worth $5,000 from being stolen from you and your people,” he stated.
The Costa Rican president further accused what he described as the “extremist left” of protecting hidden interests.
“Follow the money and you will always find the reason… Whom does Costa Rica’s extremist left want to protect?” he asked.
