Laredo Port of Entry May Serve as Model

Seeking ways of modernizing Costa Rica's port of entry, Peñas Blancas, on the Nicaraguan border, members of the Costa Rican government journeyed to Laredo, Texas, last month to possibly copy how that city does it.

Costa Rican Trade Ministry executive Margarita Libby told Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas and City Manager Carlos Villareal that the Peñas Blanca border post is nearly unbearable for truck drivers entering the country.

"Drivers have to stop and sleep in their cabs," Libby said, "We have no place for them, not even a bathroom. They're human and they deserve better treatment when they're trying to bring us merchandise."

Incoming trucks often are often backed up overnight at the border post during inspection procedures. Laredo, on the Mexico-U.S. border, handles their trade much better. During a trip to meet with Costa Rican officials a few years ago, Salinas happened to mention the city's port-of-entry.

This sparked interest in Costa Rican officials in copying the Laredo port facilities -- including bathrooms.

But Mayor Salinas is even more ambitious -- he wants to adopt the town of La Cruz near the Nicaraguan border as a sister city -- Laredo has 35 of these cities scattered across the globe. He even invited Costa Ricans to the city's Sister City Festival in July.

The Mayor also wants to promote Laredo's airport as Costa Rica's port-of-entry for air cargo. He says such a partnership would help keep Laredo as the number one U.S. inland port.