MEXICO CITY, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Mexico and Costa Rica have signed a series of treaties and agreements to combat organized crime and drug trafficking, officials said.
Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla and Mexican President Felipe Calderon signed a series of pacts, including the Strategic Association Accord, which will strengthen trade, investment and political ties between the two countries, El Universal reported Wednesday.
Chinchilla said citizens' security has become a crucial issue in the entire Mesoamerican region.
"It is here in Mexico and all of Central America where we are undertaking a heroic battle against organized crime," said Chinchilla.
The two presidents ratified treaties and agreements to exchange intelligence, as well as to recover and return stolen vehicles used to commit crimes.
Central American authorities have detected an increase in Mexican cartels in the region drug traffickers use as a corridor to smuggle Colombian cocaine to the United States.
Chinchilla started her two-day visit to the Mexican capital Monday.
