I read that Costa Rica doesn't have a military.Assuming this is true,how do they protect themselves?

Question

And are there any other countries that do not have a military?

Answer 1

who wants to mess with costa rica??
nothing there worthwhile in the first place.

Answer 2

Costa Rica don't really have any enemies. The UN would step in if there were any problems, as would various of their allies in the Americas.

Abolishing the military is actually a very sound idea. Frees up a lot of money to distribute on social programmes.

Answer 3

Yes it is true Costa Rica has no army and it has had no army for half a century. I am assuming if they did get invaded that they would be protected by the USA and many other countries whom are their friends.

Answer 4

Costa Rica has one of the more stable govts and economy in Latin America. There are probably enough rich North Americans living there to buy an army, retail, if CR needs one.

Answer 5

to Rev Cassell: The swiss military is one of the best prepared in the world. They have no bases (except for the Swiss Air Force), but its soldiers keep their weapons in their houses. There is a law that establishes that all swiss citizens do military services. Apart from that, the country´s topography makes it almost impossible to attack. Hitler did not invade switzerland because they were neutral, he didn´t invade it because his military planners knew they would have failed.

Answer 6

Panama has no army.
It was disbanded after the US invasion in the eighties. But the US effectively controls and protects the place because of the canal

Answer 7

IT SEEMS DR.CHRISTIAN ACCEPTS THAT THE US INVADED IRAQ FOR OIL!


On December 1, 1948, president José Figueres Ferrer of Costa Rica abolished the country's army after victory in the civil war in that year. In a ceremony in the Cuartel Bellavista, Figueres broke a wall with a mallet symbolizing the end of Costa Rica's military spirit. In 1949 the abolition of the military was introduced in the Article 12 of the 1949 Constitution.


José Figueres Ferrer breaking a wall of the Cuartel Bellavista symbolizing the abolition of the MilitaryThe budget previously dedicated to the military now is dedicated to security, education and culture; the country maintains armed Polices Guard forces. The museum Museo Nacional de Costa Rica was placed in the Cuartel Bellavista as a symbol of commitment to culture.

In 1986, president Oscar Arias Sánchez declared December 1 as the Día de la Abolición del Ejército (Military abolition day) with law #8115.

Unlike its neighbours, Costa Rica has not endured a civil war since.
Andorra Defence of the country is the responsibility of France or Spain. Similar treaties with both, June 3, 1993.
Cook Islands Defence is provided by New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands' government.
Costa Rica The constitution forbids a standing military in times of peace since 1949, but have unit of regional security - 7500 guardsman. Seat of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Seat of the United Nations University of Peace.
Dominica No standing army since 1981, after the army attempted a coup, but have state police - 300 men. Defence is the responsibility of the United States.
Greenland Never had an army. Defence is the responsibility of the Denmark. There are Danish and American bases, including the Thule Air Base.
Grenada No standing army since 1983, after the American-led invasion, but have unit of regional security - 750 guardsman. Defence is the responsibility of the United States.
Haiti Disbanded on June, 1995, but rebels have demanded its re-establishment. The National Police maintains some military units - 7300 active troops.
Iceland No standing army, but is a member of NATO. There is a defence agreement with the U.S., which will maintain, along with other NATO countries, a base in the country until September 2006. Maintains an expeditionary peacekeeping force, Coast Guard and an Armed Police unit.
Kiribati The only forces permitted are the police and the coast guard.
Liechtenstein Abolished their army in 1868 because it was too costly. Depends on Switzerland for defence. Army does not exist in times of peace, but have state police - 100 men.
Maldives Has no army since its independence on 1965. Was invaded by mercenaries in 1988, and rescued by India. No known permanent defence treaty.
Marshall Islands Defence is the responsibility of the United States.
Mauritius A multicultural country without an army since 1968, but with mobile state police - 1800 men.
Micronesia Defence is the responsibility of the United States.
Monaco Renounced its military investment in the 17th century because the expansion of ranges of artillery had rendered it defenceless. Defence is the responsibility of France.
Nauru Under an informal agreement, defence is the responsibility of Australia.
Niue Defence is provided by New Zealand.
Palau The only country with an anti-nuclear constitution. Defence is the responsibility of the United States.
Panama Abolished their army in 1990, confirmed by a parliamentary unanimous vote for constitutional change in 1994. Some units within the Public Force (Police, Coast Guard, Air Service and Institutional Security) have limited warfare capabilities - 11800 active troops. Defence is the responsibility of the United States.
Puerto Rico The defense of Puerto Rico is the responsibility of the United States as part of the Treaty of Paris (1898). The size of the overall military related community in Puerto Rico is estimated to be 100,000 individuals. 4,927 people have full time military or civilian positions at the major military bases located on the island. In addition, approximately 17,000 people are members of the National Guard or the Reserve forces.
San Marino Maintains a ceremonial guard, a police and a border force.
Solomon Islands Has known a heavy ethnic conflict between 1998, 2001 and 2006, in which Australia and other Pacific countries finally intervened to restore peace and order. No standing army.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Maintains a small defence force for internal purposes.
Saint Lucia Maintains a special service unit.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Maintains a special service unit.
Samoa No standing army. Defence is the responsibility of New Zealand.
Tuvalu Has no army, but its police force includes a Maritime Surveillance Unit.
Vanuatu Has a small mobile military force - 300 men.
Vatican City The largely ceremonial Swiss Guard acts as a security police force.

they provide internal security

Answer 8

Neither do the Swiss, they rely on their allies to protect them.