The Guardia Civil was the largest branch of the Fuerza Pública (Public Force) and was responsible for the defense of the nation in addition to its law enforcement duties.
As formed, it was intended to have a very limited military capacity but have a primary internal security function.
The 3rd Company, which functioned as a strategic reserve, a depot and a training unit, was also the size of a small battalion.
In 1996, the Ministry of Public Security was established controlling the Fuerza Pública or Public Force which was subsequently reorganized and eliminated the Civil Guard, Rural Assistance Guard, and Frontier Guards as separate entities; they are now under the Ministry and operate on a geographic command basis performing ground security, law enforcement, counter-narcotics, and border patrol functions.
However, in 1981, the Costa Rican government stated that all military equipment on hand — including a small number of M113 armored personnel carriers acquired in the mid-1970s — was obsolete or obsolescent.
[citation needed] The Civil Guard Volunteer Reserve follows the strength of the regular force with equipment available for 10,000.
By the mid-1980s the Coast Guard was as follows: Caribbean Pacific coast An air section was initially added during the 1955 invasion, notably P-51 fighters donated by the United States, but most if not all of its aircraft were written off shortly after the closing of hostilities.