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Costa Rica, under threat of drug gangs

Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla says increased international help is vital to tackle the drug cartels operating in Central America. President Chinchilla told BBC Mundo that Mexican gangs were present in her country, working with local cartels.Ms Chinchilla was speaking during a visit to Mexico focused on boosting co-operation against organised crime. Read Article

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Costa Rica, U.S. female student attacked kidnapped, according to professor

U.S. professor responds to skepticism about a report that a 24-year-old female was kidnapped in Puerto Viejo. Before sunrise Sunday, the Puerto Viejo de Talamanca community received a report that a U.S. tourist had been kidnapped near the beach town on the southern Caribbean coast. Local residents, the National Police and the Judicial Investigation Police […]

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Costa Rican Executive Drugged with Scopolamine in Colombia

•Eltiempo.com reports that Sergio Navas, Vice President of the Chamber of Exports of Costa Rica (Cadexco) has been in the care of the Clínica de Marly in Bogotá, Colombia after having suffered from scopolamine poisoning. •He was poisoned on Tuesday night, and there are several different versions of the event from different parties including the […]

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Tourist from Argentina killed in Costa Rica

The cold blooded murder of an Argentinian tourist on Thursday in the beaches of Costa Rica has again raised the question of insecurity and safety for tourism in the Central American country, which receives every year more than 2 million visitors. Read Article

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Costa Rican Youth dies in Sex Game

A 17 year old boy from Cartago is believed to be the first fatality of dangerous rough sex games. The boy is believed to have died when playing a “near death sex game” with his partner, a game that went terribly wrong. Apparently, the boy died from asphyxiation, a sex game where one partner chokes […]

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Costa Rica, most refugees are Colombian

In Costa Rica there are 19.116 refugees, of whom 54% (about 10,375) are Colombians who leave their country because of the armed conflict. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) there are 40 different nationalities with refugee status claims present in Costa Rica. Read Article

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Middlemen of Mexican Cartels Arrested in Costa Rica

El Universal reports: • Three Colombians and seven Costa Ricans were arrested Thursday in Costa Rica; they are believed to be part of a powerful international organization involved in drug trafficking and money laundering • 15 raids were conducted nationwide to act on an Interpol arrest warrant for Colombian Leudo Nieves, wanted by the U.S. […]

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Costa Rica, hotel guard who shot Kansas teen arrested

A hotel security guard has been arrested in Costa Rica in the shooting of a 16-year-old McLouth High School student, Costa Rica authorities said Friday. Authorities said the security guard is a 36-year-old Nicaraguan man who did not have permission to carry weapons in Costa Rica. Read Article

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U.S. Donates New Boats To Costa Rica Coast Guard

Friday morning at the Puerto Caldera on the Pacific coast the United States government donated to Costa Rica two new boats to the Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas (Coast Guard) to continue its fight against international drug trafficking. To receive the boats was Costa Rican presidenta, Laura chinchilla, who accepted the gift under the framework of […]

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Average Of 26 Couples A Day Get Divorced in Costa Rica

So far this year, the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE) – Supreme Electoral Tribunal – reports more than 4.000 divorces registered in the country. It is estimated that this figure could increase to more than double within 6 months. Read Article

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Cocaine Trafficking Intensifies In Costa Rica’s Overland Routes

The Policía de Control de Drogas (PCD) – drug enforcement police – and the Fuerza Pública (regular police) had a busy weekend, seizing some 371 kilograms of illegal drugs in the 24 hours between Friday and Saturday, increasing the haul in the last 10 days to 1.3 tons. Read Article

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Costa Rica, Airport Police Now Can Issue Traffic Tickets And Have Immigration Official Functions

The Policía Aeroportuaria del Servicio de Vigilancia del Ministerio de Seguridad Pública (MSP) at country’s international airports now do more than keep an eye on security, but can also now issue traffic tickets to drivers and detain illegals, among other duties of an immigration official. The special police body that is a permanent fixture at […]

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Six out of ten Costa Ricans fear of not finding work

A study by the Escuela de Estadística de la Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) – School of Statistics of the University of Costa Rica – reveals that there was an increase of four percentage points with respect to expectations in finding a job three months ago. But, that is of no comfort to many young […]

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Costa Rica, Health Clinic closed due to filthy bathrooms

Health services Clinic Volio Jorge Jimenez in San Joaquin de Flores, Heredia, belonging to the Social Security Fund (CCSS), were closed yesterday by the Bethlehem-area Flores leadership of the Ministry of Health because it was found that no plant sewage treatment, while there is a junction box near the emergency area, which confirmed the presence […]

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Costa Rica, Change to digital TV will cost $ 272 million

Make the leap from traditional analog TV to digital mean for Costa Rican households about $ 272 million in the next six years. + MULTIMEDIA RELATED NEWS Country will use TLC to bring ‘tele’ flights This amount includes the purchase of new screens, and the decoder, a device that allows the user to receive the […]

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Police found 80 knives and 6 cell phones into inmates

The police seized on Tuesday afternoon, 80 sharp weapons, six cell, two hammers and 40 grams of marijuana sting in several prison cells in El Roble, in Puntarenas. In a surprise operation, the Police Force and Prison Service made a requisition on the modules A1 and A2 of the prison in the afternoon. Read Article

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Latin America Climate, Energy and Environment News

Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico Environmental News HidroAysén’s executive vice president, Daniel Fernandez, ratified a public consultation on the transmission line Cochrane-Santiago by mid-July, to present in December, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Read Article

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Costa Rica, Chile and Peru were elected as a member of the Human Rights Council

The Government of Costa Rica on Friday described as a “major challenge” his election to the Human Rights Council (HRC) of the UN and thanked all countries that provided support. “Costa Rica appreciated the support and take responsibility for the Council with great commitment and a challenge of great magnitude,” he said in a statement […]

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U.S. developer murdered in Costa Rica

Jacques Cloutier, a developer who built thousands of homes in Southwest Florida before defaulting on millions in loans when the housing market crumbled, was found shot to death in Costa Rica Saturday, authorities there said. Read Article

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Five New Wind Projects Under Way In Costa Rica

Costa Rica already has 116 megawatts of wind power in the five existing wind farms, and there are several ongoing projects. A group of Italian investors led by Valerio Catullo plans to produce wind power for the first time taking advantage of wind currents in Cañas, Guanacaste. Read Article

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Gasoline Prices Set Record In Costa Rica With Latest Increase in Effect Today

If you didn’t fill up last night you missed on the opportunity to drive with cheap(er) gasoline today as the price at the pumps took a hike at the stroke of midnight, the fifth consecutive price increase this year. This morning Costa Rica woke up to the highest gasoline prices on record (based on purchasing […]

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Illegal Gambling Money Alleged To Finance Costa Rica Political Party

Otto Guevara, leader of the Partido Movimiento Libertario (ML) and 2010 presidential candidate acknowledged last week receiving political donations from Olman Rimola, but denied knowing if the funds came from illegal gambling sources. On Wednesday the Ministerio Publico raided the ML offices and is actively investigating Guevara and others. Read Article

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Digital Television Coming To Costa Rica In 2017

Although there is still time, it is best to start saving up for a new digital television set as Costa Rica moves to “digital only” television on December 15, 2017. On that date, free television – signals picked up by antenna and rabbit ears – will only air digitally. Read Article

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Gay Couples in Costa Rica Want Right To Marry

With the decision to marry, two gay couples petitioned the Tribunales de Familia (Family Court) on Monday to be allowed to tie the knot. According to the couples, they are tired of making constitutional filings that respects their rights as homosexuals and therefore organized the campaing “Iguales nombres, iguales derechos” (Same name, same rights). Read […]

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Costa Rica, MOPT Identifies Eight Roads to avoid at night during rain

The Ministerio de Obras Publicas y Transportes (MOPT) has identified eight national roads that it considers too dangerous to drive at night in the rain. The 11 kilometres section of the San José – Caldera between Atenas and Orotina is one, the Monte de Aguacate (old road to Jacó) and the Vara Blanca route in […]

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Costa Rica, Gold’s Gym opening three new locations

Gold’s Gym will open three new locations in Curridabat, Escazú and Perez Zeledon, San Jose, within two years. Chains of Gold’s Gym, Multispan, 360 and George Angulo have jointly planned investments over $ 8 million for opening new stores in the country. Read Article

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Costa Rica, trial of four doctors for death of patient

An alleged malpractice that allegedly cost the life of a woman of 28 years, will be the offense for which he will be tried three doctors named Smith, Pandora and Zeledon, and a doctor surnamed Morera, starting today in Turrialba. The debate is marked from 17 to 27 this month and will include the statement […]

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Costa Rica, Taco Bell closed for lack of current health operating permit

The Ministry of Health yesterday ordered the closure of Taco Bell restaurant located in Montes de Oca Sabanilla for violating the administrative requirements established by national legislation to function. Read Article

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Costa Rica, Judge grants house arrest to two Mexicans involved with plane carrying cocaine

Judge Kattia Jiménez Fernández, Pavas Criminal Court, granted the two Mexican arrest linked to the plane, loaded with 177 kilos of cocaine, which crashed on October 10 last year in the Torres River Canyon, San Joseph. Read Article

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Costa Rica, Fire destroys two floors of luxury hotel in Golfito

A fire destroyed part of Castillo de Pavones Hotel, located in the Southern Zone’s Pacific province of Puntarenas, on Sunday afternoon. Nobody was hurt in the fire that began on the hotel’s top floor. The hotel is located in a hard-to-reach area of Puntarenas. Read Article

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Costa Rica, Walmart will invest $ 160 million in building brand

Walmart brand came to Escazu, Guadalupe, Cartago, Heredia Curridabat, with an investment that will be around $ 160 million offering to all customers “lower prices every day” and over 3,000 new products, which, will be introduced also in other business lines: Pali, Maxi Bodega y Más x Menos. Moreover, under the firm’s director for Central […]

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Costa Rica: Second McDonalds Closed In Less Than A Week By Health

Costa Rica: Second McDonalds Closed In Less Than A Week By Health A “barrida” (sweep) of fast food outlets by the Ministerio de Salud (Health ministry) resulted in the closings of 90 businesses in Desamparados alone on Friday. The ministerio de Salud announced sweeps across the country when it was forced to close a downtown […]

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Costa Rican prison riot kills three

Two prisoners and one prison law enforcement officer died as Costa Rican police thwarted a prison escape at the maximum security La Reforma prison on Wednesday (May 11). According to authorities, on Wednesday afternoon, a group of armed prisoners took the prison director and about a dozen guards hostage and tried to escape. Read Article

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World court judges say Costa Rica and Honduras cannot get involved in Caribbean border dispute

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Court of Justice refused Wednesday to let either Costa Rica or Honduras intervene in a legal dispute about Nicaragua and Colombia’s maritime border in the Caribbean. Costa Rica applied to join the case last year, saying the area of Caribbean under dispute between Nicaragua and Colombia also covered part […]

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One U.S. student drowned, two missing after swimming accident in Parrita, Costa Rica

A dozen tourists from Ohio were on Playa Bejuco when a riptide swept away five of them. Lifeguards rescued two of the swimmers. Costa Rica’s heavy ocean currents claimed another tourist’s life this week, this time in a swimming accident involving a group of 17-year-olds from the U.S. state of Ohio. Read Article

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Costa Rica, unsolved crime

They stick in the back of the collective consciousness – unsolved crimes for which there is hardly any path toward resolution. While not dominating the public’s daily thoughts, they remain tucked away somewhere in our minds, to the point where we can recall them to memory with just a word or phrase. Like “Jolene.” Like […]

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“Caurterias” or Tenements Place Population At Risk

Cuarterias” or tenements are big problem in many parts of San José, grouping a large number of people and families all sharing electrical and plumbing facilities into an area designed for many less. And the cause of many disastrous fires. Read Article

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Television in Costa Rica Meet The Internet

Sony has announced the launch in Costa Rica its line of Bravia televisions with internet access (IPTV), that in addition to basic functionality of a TV, can surf the internet, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, watch YouTube and make Skype calls. Read Article

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Drug Semi-Submersible Nabbed Off Costa Rica

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sherman interdicted a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel and took four people into custody 480 kilometres off the coast of Costa Rica, April 3. The semi-submersible and its crew were carrying an estimated 6.4 tons of cocaine, according to the Coast Guard. Read Article

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Costa Rica, former president sentenced to prison for corruption

A former Costa Rican president who briefly served as chief of the Organization of American States was convicted of corruption charges Wednesday and sentenced to five years in prison. Read Article

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Tico police monitor Costa Rica-Panama border

Specialized police agents will monitor the borders of Costa Rica with Panama and Nicaragua, beginning yesterday, in an effort to strengthen the safeguarding of territorial sovereignty, said President of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla. Chinchilla explained that the new force will secure the border areas between Costa Rica and neighboring countries in an attempt to ensure […]

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Costa Rica, Semana Santa Traffic Report: 10 Deaths, 57 Drunk Drivers

The Policia de Tránsito on Monday provided the Semana Santa’s traffic statistics, saying it issued during the week a total of 3.500 traffic tickets, taking into custody 57 drunk drivers and counting 10 deaths from collisions on the country’s roads. Read Article

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Security Minister, Costa Rica, out

Recent public missteps by José María Tijerino precipitated his departure as Ministro de Seguridad Pública (Minister of Public Security) at a time when the Government is also evidencing failures to address the problem of insecurity. Read Article

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Bacteria threaten rice crop in Costa Rica

A bacterium known as a powerful threat is rotting the rice crop in Costa Rica, said the State Phytosanitary Service today [18 Apr 2011]. Some 30 000 hectares may be lost due to the microscopic enemy, identified a few weeks ago in the Guanacaste area in the west of the country. Read Article

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Costa Rica: 24 “Violent” Deaths Recorded So Far This Semana Santa

Authorities in Costa Rica that include the Cruz Roja (Red Cross), the Policia de Transito (traffic police) and the Fuerza Pública (police) had hoped for a calm and fatality free holiday week. However, that has not been the case. With still two days to go, the death toll for the Semana Santa (Holy Week) to […]

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Costa Rica’s Liberia Airport Soon To Accommodate More Vacationers

Tourists arriving in Liberia (LIR) for the 2011-2012 vacation season will enjoy the new terminal that is under construction and to be ready for November. The new terminal in Liberia will almost double capacity to 1.500 passengers at one time from the current 900 and will have a food court, two boarding areas and a […]

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Rising Gasoline Prices Are Shifting Central America’s Energy Industry To Cleaner Sources Of Fuel, Such as Hydroelectric Power In Costa Rica

Soaring international prices for oil and gas are driving the expansion of renewable energies in Central America, a region that has plenty of untapped potential for producing hydroelectricity, wind power and geothermal energy. “What stands out the most is that all the countries are interested in wind energy, and in continuing to make the most […]

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Costa Rica’s International Airport To Double Capacity

With an investment of us$153 million the Juan Santamaría (San José) airport, will also have a new passenger terminal of 22.000 square metres, that will include nine more lounges, as well as an additional commercial area of at least 3.300 square metres. The expansion will be of a new building to be built west of […]

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Costa Rica to Host Global Medical Tourism Conference

Costa Rica, known worldwide for its leadership in ecological preservation, sustainable development and eco-friendly tourism, will lead the world once again as it hosts the 2011 Medical Travel International Business Summit May 2-4, 2011in San José and Guanacaste provinces. Read Article

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Costa Rica Threatened for Protection of Embryonic Rights

Costa Rica must legalize in vitro fertilization according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, or face penalties for alleged violations of human rights protected by international law. Read Article

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Interpol believes Founders of Indicted Online Poker Companies Are In Costa Rica

Senior executives from online betting companies like PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Abolute Poker indicted by the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York in U.S. for bank fraud, money laundering, illegal gambling and other crimes. Read Article

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Costa Rican Youths Gather To Celebrate Cannabis Day And Criticize Its Ban

April 20 (4:20) is a special day for marijuana smokers around the world, many lighting up to mark the occasion, sometimes even in public places like parks, and sometimes in fairly large groups. In Costa Rica a group of 70 youths gathered in Costa Rica’s Plaza de la Democracia de celebrate the day, taking the […]

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Costa Rica Birth Rate Sliding

The Costa Rica’s National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) said that the birth rate in the country had dropped to 5% for 2010 due in part to the world economic crisis. Read Article

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Ethanol Use In Costa Rica

The government, based on the National Biofuel Program, established the mandatory use of all gasoline sold in Costa Rica with a blend of around 7% ethanol, starting in October 2008. The implementation phase follows a two year trial that took place in the provinces of Guanacaste and Puntarenas. The government expects to increase the percentage […]

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Costa Rica, Beware of Quema de Judas! On Saturday

The Fuerza Pública has 556 officers ready to stop vandalism and riots during the Quema de Judas ((burning of Judas), which is tradition in several Costa Rican communities on Saturday. José María Tijerino, ministro de Seguridad Pública, is making available as well ten lawyers, seven police analysts police, 61 motorized, eight vehicles to transport those […]

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Costa Rica Pineapples Shipment Filled With Illegal Drugs

Officers from Spain’s National Police force confiscated over 200 kg of cocaine that was hidden in a shipment of pineapples imported from Costa Rica. The police operation culminated in the arrest of 12 people embroiled in transporting the drugs from the port of Valencia to Talavera de la Reina (Toledo). Using officers on the ground […]

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Costa Rica, Seizure Made OF Illegal Sailfish Meat

More than 7.000 kg of sailfish meat bound for Peru were seized from a seafood exporter, say Costa Rican government officials. Sailfish are a protected species in the popular Costa Rican fishery. Read Article

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Convergys Hiring 370 in Costa Rica

Convergys Corporation, a global leader in relationship management, is seeking candidates to fill approximately 370 open positions at its Barreal de Heredia and Ultra Park II contact centers in Costa Rica. New employees proficient in Spanish and English will provide customer service and technical support for three Convergys clients in the cable and financial services […]

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Coffee House War Brewing In Costa Rica

Coffee House War Brewing In Costa Rica A coffee house war is brewing in Costa Rica, with the announcement that the Guatemalan coffee house chain, Café Barista, is coming to Costa Rica, a market currently dominated by Spoon and Giacomín. Barista’s president, Walter de la Cruz, said that operations will start next January following an […]

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Costa Rica Tax Reform Needed, Says IMF

Concluding its mission to Costa Rica, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)has said that the medium term economic outlook is broadly positive, and that tax reform is key to the securing of a higher revenue base. As part of consultation discussions with Costa Rica, the IMF mission visited the country from March 28-April 12, and met […]

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Protesters Occupy Dutch Farm in Costa Rica

More than three hundred farmers have occupied Tierras Nuevas, a Dutch farm in Costa Rica. Owned by 54 Dutch investors, the land is used to grow beans and basic grains. Activists have put down plastic tents and are now camping on the 240 hectare site with their families. Read Article

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Costa Rica To Develop First Satellite In Central America

In Costa Rica there are 70 national companies that manufacture devices to control the wings of airplanes, tanks for spacecraft and aircraft seats to Europe. The data, which the authorities found surprising, are the result of the first study Aerospace Business in Costa Rica. Read Article

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Autopistas Del Sol Tolls Highest In Costa Rica And Latin America

Did you know that the tolls of the San José – Caldera are the highest in Latin America and five times, on average, than the tolls paid on Costa Rica’s national roads. That is the conclusion of a study by the political party, the Partido Accesibilidad Sin Exclusión (PASE), as made public by legislator, Victor […]

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Costa Rica, Prosecutor arrested for corruption

For ¢500.000 colones (us$1.000) for hiding a file in a murder case, a Fiscal de Juicio (trial prosecutor) in Limón found himself behind bars following a detention by judicial officials. The misplaced file led to the case being thrown out of court. The Fiscal General (Attorney General) personally coordinated the capture of the fiscal identified […]

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Costa Rica, police believe missing French couple drowned at sea

Claude and Gerard Debois, both 65, disappeared March 31 after leaving the hotel they were staying at in Puerton Quepos (150 km southwest of the capital), heading to Sunday, a resort located 15 km south. Costa Rican police believe the couple may have drowned in the ocean. Read Article

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Distrust And Chaos Marked Costa Rica, Nicaragua Border Talks

After more than an hour delay, Costa Rican and Nicaraguan officials finally sat across each other along the border that separates the two countries at Peñas Blancas on Tuesday, but the discussion proved fruitless, as distrust and chaos reigned. The meeting had been scheduled for 10am but didn’t get underway until past 11am, when both […]

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Wal-Mart to open 24 New Stores In Costa Rica

Wal-Mart Centroamérica announced on Tuesday the opening of 24 new stores in Costa Rica for this year. The expansion will also create 839 new jobs says the company based in Mexico that operates stores in that country and throughout Central America. Wal-Mart says it will invest us$160 million dollars in the Costa Rica expansion and […]

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Costa Rica To Get New Vehicle License Plates

To combat counterfeiting, forgery or misuse of license plates and the increase in the number of vehicles in the country, Costa Rica is adopting new license plate system forcing all existing plates to be replaced. The regulation is by decree published in the La Gaceta on April 8. Read Article

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App Allows Users To Keep Informed On Costa Rica Tech Industry

The Costa Rican Chamber of Information and Communication Technologies (Camtic), a private, non-for-profit business association, now offers an innovative and free way to keep abreast of technology news in Costa Rica. By downloading the “app”, mobile users of Apple devices – iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, etc – can download and comment on CAMTIC published news, […]

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Costa Rica – Nicaragua Border Closed Today

If you plan to go to Nicaragua by land, take into account the border at Peñas Blancas is closed this morning, as both Costa Rican and Nicaraguan authorities decided to close the border between the two countries as a security and safety measure for the bi-national meeting scheduled for this morning at 10am. The land […]

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Costa Rica, Traffic police using unmarked vehiclesc Cops!

Would you stop for traffic officer not in his patrol car? That is the question posed by many during the last few days following the announcement of the policy of the Policia de Tránsito for the use of unmarked vehicles to surprise drivers. Read Article

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Costa Rica, Health ministry closes between 15 and 30 restaurants each month

The Ministry of Health on average closes between 15 and 30 stores, sodas and restaurants in Costa Rica for violating requirements for the health and safety of its customers. Read Article

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First Private Cloud Created In Costa Rica

Codisa and Radiográfica Costarricense (Racsa) signed a partnership to create the first private cloud in the country. That is, a space reserved within the world cloud where public and private entities can store information with a greater degree of security and access to specialized computer systems. Read Article

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Costa Rican Opposition Rejects Docking of US Military Ships

osta Rican opposition politicians reiterated their rejection on Friday to U.S. military ships docking in Costa Rica under the pretext of fighting drug trafficking. “We want to fight drug trafficking, but we do not accept the docking or prolonged stay of military ships in our country, because it violates our Constitution and our national sovereignty,” […]

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150 Young Nicaraguans Watch Over The Isla Calero

A group of 150 members of the Nicaraguan Sandinista Youth have begun since Friday a watch of the Isla Calero to, “take care of national sovereignty”, according to the official Nicaraguan portal 19 de Julio. This group took over from the 100 young people who on Monday stood in the conflict zone in an attempt […]

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Popular San José Eatery Café Mundo Shut Down For Possible Food Poisoning

The popular eatery (Cafe Mundo) was shut down on Wednesday by the Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health) after complaints by customers. In total, 25 people filed complaints for diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain after eating at the restaurant. Affected by the intoxication were also seven employees of the restaurant. Read Article

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Crime And Violence in Costa Rica Costs US$790 Million Per Year: World Bank Report

Costa Rica spends about us$790 million annually as a result of crime and violence, says a report from the World Bank (WB), to be presented today in Washington D. C. The document entitled “Crime and Violence in Central America: a challenge for development”, seeks to go beyond the social impact and find ways to quantify […]

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Costa Rica Proposes Drop Tax On Cigarettes, Beer And Wine And More

The elimination of taxes on cigarettes, soft drinks, spirits, beers and wines, by legislators of three political parties, will leave under-funded the Instituto de Desarrollo Rural (INDER), known as the Institute of Agrarian Development. Read Article

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Thai exporters focusing on Costa Rica and Panama

Thai exporters eye Costa Rica and Panama markets for their products with the development of a new logistics route from Asia that could reduce shipping costs. Ten memoranda of understanding with Costa Rican counterparts were signed by the private companies and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, while a total of 15 agreements were signed with […]

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Nicaragua To File Complaint Against Costa Rica

Nicaragua To File Complaint Against Costa Rica Nicaragua says it intends to file a complaint against Costa Rica at the International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICJ) for violating its territorial integrity. The Ortega government said on Sunday that it would file the complaint today, Monday. Nicaraguan Army Chief Julio Cesar Aviles on Friday […]

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Costa Rica Chasing Off Foreign Gasoline Stations

Although gasoline prices keeping rising, one thing that is evident to owners of gasoline stations in Costa Rica, is that for some years the business has become less profitable. Gasoline stations owners have a fixed mark up – ¢35 colones per litre – since 2008, which, among other factors is the cause for a crisis […]

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Costa Rica Hosts Meeting For First Multinational Treaty Designed To Stop Drug Trafficking In The Caribbean

Delegates from 12 countries are trying to reach agreement on how to implement the first multinational treaty designed to stop drug trafficking in the Caribbean. They met this week in San José, Costa Rica at a time Mexico’s and Colombia’s wars against illegal drugs are pushing the gangs farther into Central America. Read Article

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Fiscalia Raids Offices Of Autopistas And CNC For Evidence of Alleged Corruption

The Fiscalia and officials of the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) raided on Thursday the offices of autopistas del Sol and the Consejo Nacional de Concesiones (CNC) looking for evidence of alleged payoffs with respect to the construction of the San José – Caldera. A total of 10 prosecutors and anti-corruption and judicial officials worked […]

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Majority In Costa Rica Feel San José – Caldera Is Unsafe

Crossing the road to Caldera is a test of nerves for 58% of the drivers using the route according to the latest poll by Unimer for the daily La Nación. The poll reveals that of the 58% who have a negative opinion, 39% of the feel the road is unsafe, while 19% feel it is […]

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Costa Rica, Indigenous group files suit to block Diquís Hydroelectric Project

A lawsuit could block Diquís Hydroelectric Project, which develops ICE in Buenos Aires, Puntarenas, and which has already invested $ 80 million. The claim as filed on March 21 Integral Development Association of the Indigenous Territory of Terra-formed by Indians, against the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) for the occupation of their territories to build […]

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Chile, Isolated incidents recorded commemoration of the young combatant

Targeted incidents are recorded on Tuesday night in various parts of the country, under the so-called “Day of the Young Combatant” (Dia del Joven Combatiente)which commemorates the death of the Vergara brothers dictatorship. Campfires, stone throwing and attempted to burn a minibus have been the norm during the early hours of the night has been […]

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Costa Rica, New Police Patrol Cars Crash Into Each Other

Despite receiving instructions on the operation of the vehicles, the drivers of four of the eighteen patrol vehicles en route to the border points, where involved in a multiple vehicle collision. Read Article

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Construction Begins On New Hydroelectric Plant in Costa Rica

Enel Green Power has begun construction on a new hydroelectric plant in Costa Rica, between the provinces of Alajuela and San Jose. The new plant, named Chucas, will have an installed capacity of 50 MW, and once fully up and running, will generate around 219 million Kwh/year, equal to the annual consumption of over 81.000 […]

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Costa Rica, Temperatures highest on record

Costa Rica is hotter today than in the past, the average temperature increasing by one degree Celsius during the past half century, according to the results of an investigation by the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN). The investigators made ​​a comparative analysis of the average temperature in the country between the periods 1961-1990 and 1991-2005, in […]

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Costa Rica, Police Vehicles That “Do Not Comply” With Traffic Law

If it were you or I we would be facing a hefty fine and points for not having the annual marchamo (circulation) permit for our vehicle, however, when it comes to a government institution everyone looks the other way. Until now. Alajuela councilman showing his proof of police patrol cars without riteve and marchamo to […]

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In Costa Rica Sexual Violence Strikes Also Men, Survey Reveals

Although women continue being the main victims of sexual violence and abuse in Costa Rica, in the last couple of years men have been a target of this situation. This is reflected in the national survey of sexual and reproductive health by the Ministry of Health, which looked at sexual violence in the workplace and […]

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Nicaragua sends protest note to Costa Rica for the violation of airspace

The Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry on Thursday sent a protest note to the Directorate General of Foreign Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica for “violating airspace” of the disputed area. Action “disobeyed the order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its resolution of 8 March 2011.” Read Article

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Costa Rica’s Credit Card Debt Over ¢585 Billion

Costa Ricans owe some ¢585 billion colones on their credit cards according to a study by the Ministerio de Economía last October. The average debt per person debt of credit cards is ¢418.000 or double that of the minimum salary in Costa Rica. Read Article

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22% of Costa Ricans Have Sex Before Age 15

The Encuesta Nacional de Salud Sexual y Reproductiva (National Survey of Sexual and Reproductive Health) presented on Thursday reveals that 22% of men and 11.2% of women, aged between 15 and 44, in Costa Rica say to have had their first sexual experience before their 15th birthday, while 67.9% of men and 51.4% of women […]

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Costa Rica Crimes Can Now Be Reported Online

Beginning today, if you are a victim of crime and want to file a complaint, you can do so by way of the internet to access the Poder Judicial website, from the comfort of your home, office or anywhere you have access to a computer. The new tool was announced by the Chief Justice of […]

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Costa Rica, website monitors transvestites and their customers

Some residents of Heredia are alarmed at the number of transvestites operating their services in public in Barrio Fatima, Heredia. They are conducting surveillance of the area and publishing license plate numbers and the names of the registered owner of the vehicle in which someone contacted a transvestite. Website – clientesdetravestis.com Clientes de Travestis en […]

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CIA Financed Costa Rica’s Intelligence Service Espionage On Drug Trafficking: Former Security Minister

The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) financed, for ten years, an espionage operation against drug trafficking conducted by specialized agents of Costa Rica’s Dirección de Inteligencia Seguridad (DIS) – Intelligence Service. The daily La Nacion reported that a team of officers, as confirmed by the former minister de Seguridad, Rogelio Ramos, and the former […]

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Costa Rica – 20 Young Americans Rescued Who Suffered Various Attacks in “Teen Mentor Program” Academy

The Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI) – Costa Rica’s child welfare agency – says it rescued on Monday a group of 20 American minors who allegedly received psychological and physical abuse by managers of a reformatory in Puntarenas. The academy “Teen Mentor” has been operating since 2010 in the Hotel Carra in Tarcoles de […]

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Mega Road Blocks New Tactic To Fight Crime In Costa Rica

“Megaoperativos” is the new crime tactic by the ministerio de Seguridad Pública (MSP), which includes broad police sweeps, with checkpoints at strategic locations and times. The plan, as announced by the minister of the MSP, José María Tijerino, is to focus in all provinces with key areas chosen based on crime activity. Read Article

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Costa Rica: A Country of Scandals

Our corruption, crime and government mistakes are based on a unique scandal system and not the rule of law. Don´t get me wrong. We go through the judicial motions, but that´s where it ends. “Scandal” trumps the legal system for both the famous and infamous. Read Article

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