Introduction

Costa Rica and Panama abolished their standing armies. How do they protect their country? Having a military forces makes the people and a country feel safe and protected. Panama has no military forces, following the 1989 US invasion, the Panamanian military was abolished. Panama’s security institutions have undergone significant reforms starting in 2008, including the merging of the coast guard and police air wing and the development of the border defense force. Costa Rica Military has been gone for nearly 70 years, since 1948. They have existed in peace despite civil wars and other conflicts experienced by most of its neighbors. Costa Rica’s army ceased to exist when disbanded Dec. 1, 1948, by President Figueres Ferrer after Costa Rica won its civil war. If Costa Rica and Panama are faced with danger who is their militia? Do they receive outside Aid, or do they have an evacuation plan?