ocr: The last period of violence was the 1948 civil war, from which Costa Rica emerged as a neutral, demilitarized modern state. The 7,500-strong National Guard, together with an anti-terrorist battalion of750 men, are the only security forces, and have little political intluence. Spending onsecurity is the lowest in the region. Costa Rica's defense goal is to maintain a neutral line by keeping out of any Central American conflicts.
