Security: bad news is good business

The region continues to face serious security problems. Honduras last year had the dubious distinction of becoming the world's most dangerous country, with more than 70 intentional homicides per 100,000 of population, followed by Guatemala.

In recent years, both countries, together with El Salvador, have consistently been among the world's five most dangerous places. A front-page story in the New York times last week analyzed the problem of violence in Central America, attributing most of the problem to the fact that cocaine traffic between South America and the United States increasingly moves through the region.

Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama continue to have low homicide rates, but authorities in those countries are concerned that increased drug trafficking could make the situation worse. China last week announced that it would contribute $30 million to finance a new police academy in Costa Rica.

Opportunities

• Security companies
• Providers of security systems
• Consultants