Law enforcement in Costa Rica successfully apprehended the nation’s primary drug trafficking target on Friday. The tactical operation, which occurred in Rio Frio within the Heredia province, resulted in the death of one criminal figure and left eight police officers wounded.
Attorney General Carlos Diaz confirmed that the target, Alejandro Arias Monge—widely recognized by his alias El Diablo—was located during a summit of organized crime leaders. During the confrontation, which involved approximately 2,500 rounds of ammunition, another prominent figure named Roney Rios lost his life.
The United States had previously placed a $500,000 bounty on Monge. Following the arrest, the U.S. embassy in San Juan commended the Costa Rican government for their effectiveness. Officials noted that Monge had been evading capture for a decade, potentially utilizing Nicaragua as a base of operations. This event highlights the growing escalation of narcotics-related violence in Costa Rica, a region that historically maintained a reputation for safety.
