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Costa Rica: Tourists Victim of Armed Robbery

news.co.cr reported two Spanish tourists and three Costa Rican tourists (including a minor) suffered an armed robbery while they were enjoying a walk in one of the trails of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park this Thursday, August 9th at around 11:30 a.m.

The tourists were intercepted by men carrying knifes who took all their belongings, cell phones, binoculars, cash, backpacks, among other things.

The Public Police Force of Guanacaste with the assistance of the Touristic Police and workers of the National System of Areas of Conservation immediately patrolled the area and at around 4 p.m. they arrested two suspects and recovered most of the items stolen, as well as the knife used in the robbery, one of the suspects is a minor and both are of Costa Rican Nationality. Read Article

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Costa Rica: Ten U.S. Citizens Perish in Plane Crash

CNN.COM – A spokesperson for the US State Department confirmed the deaths of “multiple US citizens.” “We express our condolences to all those affected by this tragedy. We are in contact with Costa Rican aviation authorities and will continue to monitor the situation,” the spokesperson said. It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, […]

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Costa Rica: Massive 6.5 earthquake rocks central american country

Costa Rica ‘ROCKED’ by massive 6.5 magnitude earthquake express.co.uk/ Nicole Stinson / A HUGE 6.5 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Costa Rica, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake’s centre 44 miles (71 km) southwest of San Jose at a depth of 6.2 miles (10 km). Costa Rica is located […]

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U.S. Military in Costa Rica, what are they after?

Southern Command in Costa Rica: U.S. Occupation Disguised as Humanitarian Aid Santiago Navarro F. and Renata Bessi United States Southern Command says its role in Costa Rica is to fight drug trafficking and offer humanitarian aid. But hydroelectric projects and mineral speculation betray another aim. From the top of the great Talamaca mountain range in […]

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Costa Rica: Tourist From Canada Stabbed to Death in Robbery

A Toronto teacher has been killed in what is believed to have been a violent robbery in Costa Rica. citynews.ca / Bruce McCallum, 58, who taught at Albert Campbell Collegiate in Scarborough, was found dead around 4:30 a.m. last Sunday in the southern Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo, Limón. He had suffered multiple stab wounds. […]

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Top Five Retirement Destinations for 2017: Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia

Internationalliving.com/cnbc.com Annual Ranking 1. Mexico has always offered arguably the easiest transition to expat life around: Low-cost, conveniently close, friendly locals and plenty of expats—Mexico offers an appealing balance of exotic foreign culture and familiar First-World lifestyle. Over recent years, crime and insecurity across the border have made headlines—and yes, there are parts of Mexico […]

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Costa Rica: Peruvians Detained in suspected theft of tourist’s luggage, bags, billfolds, etc

EFE/rpp.pe Two Peruvians suspected of tourist robbery arrested in Costa Rica According to the authorities of the Central American country, the Peruvians would have stolen luggage from foreign tourists worth almost $ 10,000. The Judicial Investigation Agency of Costa Rica (OIJ) arrested two Peruvians on Tuesday suspected of at least 10 cases of foreign tourist […]

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Some Americans May Dump Trump, thinking of moving to latin america

fusion.net/Manuel Rueda and Tim Rogers reported so for some people who have been thinking about it for years, Trump’s win could be the final nudge that pushes them to make the leap. “I think Trump’s win will be a windfall for Nicaragua,” a U.S. expat who owns a restaurant in Granada told me. “Send us […]

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Survey Says: Ecuador most empathetic country in the world

Ecuador was most empathetic country, followed by Saudi Arabia and Peru Denmark was 4th, followed by UAE, Korea, US, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Kuwait Lithuania is least empathetic, seven of the bottom 10 Eastern European dailymail.co.uk REPORTED: The United States is one of the most empathetic countries in the world, according to a new study – […]

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Costa Rica: Recorded deaths of U.S. citizens from Jan. – May, 2016

Costa Rica: Recorded deaths of U.S. citizens from Jan. – May, 2016 Costa Rica Date City Cause of Death 01-19-2016 Aguirre Drowning 04-06-2016 Aguirre Drowning 03-05-2016 Bahia Ballena Drowning 01-09-2016 Esparza Veh. Accid-Motorcy. 03-28-2016 Esterillos Beach Drowning 02-14-2016 Huacas Homicide 03-31-2016 Nosara Drowning 02-01-2016 Osa Other Accident 01-04-2016 Puntarenas Drowning 01-09-2016 Puntarenas Veh. Accid-Other 02-04-2016 […]

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Costa Rica: Expat from U.S. attacked by crocodile

AZcentral.com reported an Arizona man has been reported in critical condition after a crocodile attacked him Friday morning at a Costa Rica beach. Jon Becker, 59, was identified as the survivor. Diario Extra said Becker was attacked by a crocodile at about 7:10 a.m. Friday while visiting a beach favored by surfers and ecotourists in […]

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Costa Rica: Panamanians sentenced for stealing cocaine, disguised as U.S. DEA agents

prensa.com reported Costa Rican courts sentenced three Panamanians who disguised themselves as Americans to steal cocaine in the border area drug agents, he said on Monday, May 9, the Office of Costa Rica. According to a statement from the Public Ministry, Panamanians wore jackets, caps and balaclava with false badges Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA, for […]

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Costa Rica: Tourist from U.S. reports rape in Puerto Viejo

ticotimes.net (Dece 31, 2015) reported a U.S. woman, age 27, filed a criminal complaint against a man who she says raped her last Sunday on a beach in the southern Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo, according to the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ). On Tuesday night, National Police officers in Limón province arrested a local resident […]

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Survey Says Expats in Ecuador, Costa Rica: high level of satisfaction with their love lives

themalaymailonline.com/Internations – Compiled by expat networking site InterNations ahead of Valentine’s Day, expats living in Ecuador, Costa Rica and Malta reported the highest levels of satisfaction with their love lives. For the ranking, 14,000 people living in 195 countries were polled and countries ranked accordingly. A scan of the top 10 list reveals a common […]

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Costa Rica: Tourist from Canada dies at International Airport

Believed to have passed away as result of heart attack insidecostarica.com reported January 13th, 2016 (ICR News) A 67-year-old Canadian tourist whose identity was identity was not immediately released, died shortly before 4:30 p.m. inside Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) on Tuesday. Read Article

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Stranded Cubans in Costa Rica to be granted pemission to continue to U.S.

bbc.com reported Central American nations have reached an agreement to allow several thousand Cuban migrants stranded in Costa Rica for over a month to continue their journey towards the United States. The migrants will be airlifted to El Salvador and put on buses, which will take them to the US. American legislation gives Cuban migrants […]

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Costa Rica: Officials search office of attorney regarding missing U.S. expat

amcostaricaarchives.com reported judicial investigators searched a lawyer’s office in Ciudad Quesada Thursday, and this appears to be related with an effort to find a missing U.S. expat. The Judicial Investigating Organization issued a brief statement Thursday afternoon. It said that agents entered and searched a lawyer’s office in an investigation of false paperwork. The paperwork […]

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Costa Rica to shutter both its zoos, release animals in ten years

The biodiverse nation intends to shut down both of its zoos and release all captive animals. This news is too awesome not to share. In 2013, the beautifully diverse country of Costa Rica announced that it would become the first country in the world to shut down its zoos and free all captive animals. Home […]

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Costa Rica: Tourist from france dies in boating accident

costaricagoldcountry.com reported a French tourist identified by Costa Rican officials as Aubers Nicolle, 49, died Sunday when the fishing boat he was on crashed into rocks near the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica’s southern Pacific. The man was traveling with four other people, including his wife, Lidie Nicolle, 48 and son, Antane Nicolle, 15. The […]

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Costa Rica on list of most dangerous countries for environmental activists

ticotimes.net reported the deaths of Tico environmentalists Jairo Mora Sandoval and Diego Saborío González have earned Costa Rica a spot on the list of most dangerous countries for environmental activists. The list is compiled each year by U.K.-based non profit Global Witness, which keeps tabs on environmental conflicts worldwide. The group found a 20 percent […]

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Costa Rica: More than 40 percent of sex crimes, are against minors

(InsideCostaRica.com) An average of eighteen people report a sex crime each day in Costa Rica – an average of once every 80 minutes – and in more than 40% of those reported crimes, the victim is a minor, according to a special report on sex crime in Costa Rica prepared and published by Amelia Rueda […]

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Tamarindo Costa Rica: Surfer from Canada attacked by crocodile

On the first day of his surf trip in Tamarindo March 6, Montreal native Val Muscalu was waiting his turn for a wave when suddenly he was ripped off his board. Muscalu felt something strong clamp down on his left foot. He remembers kicking out and swimming backstroke to shore, but everything else is a […]

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More North Americans Moving to Latin America

latino.foxnews.com reported the warmer weather. The beaches. The lower cost of living. The many options for health care coverage. And the proximity to the United States. Those are among the top reasons that Americans increasingly are looking south of the border to retire, or for those not yet ready to comb gray hair, to start […]

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Survey Says: Costa Rica happiest country

christiantimes.com reported…If you’re feeling lonely and want to be in a place where happiness abounds, then Costa Rica is the place to go. In a global happiness survey recently conducted by the University of California, Berkeley, Costa Rica topped the list of the happiest countries in the world, Forbes.com reported on Tuesday. Some 40,000 students […]

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More African, Asian migrants using Costa Rica on route to U.S., Canada

ticotimes.net reported during the summer of 2014, massive flows of Central American migrants – many unaccompanied children – flooded the southwestern border of the United States. While tens of thousands of migrants have been fleeing violence and poverty in search of new opportunities in the U.S., other migrants from Africa and Asia have been traveling […]

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Costa Rica: President Chinchilla explains challenges of free speech and social media

rnw.nl reported Over the past three years, the president of Costa Rica has been heavily criticised by her country’s citizens. Many see Laura Chinchilla as the worst president in Latin America. Much of the criticism is being expressed via social media, especially on Twitter and Facebook. Her government has found it difficult to deal with […]

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Costa Rica may adopt electronic bracelets for criminals with minor offenses

the project which would allow the use of electronic bracelets in Costa Rica might be law of the Republic starting next week, according to members of the third full Commission approved it in first debate earlier Wednesday. This initiative would allow persons who commit a minor crime not go to jail to saturate national prisons […]

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Costa Rica: Missing U.S. tourist may have been victim of foul play according to father

costaricantimes.com reported after two months of searching and nothing to indicate a missing Alaskan is lost and alone in rugged Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica, Roman Dial now suspects his son fell victim to foul play. Dial traveled thousands of miles to Central America in early August, about two weeks after the disappearance of […]

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Costa Rica among top three competitive economies in Latin America per report

ticotimes.net reported Costa Rica was among the top three most “competitive” economies in Latin America last year, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015, released on Wednesday. Costa Rica, ranked 51st worldwide, came in behind Panama (48) and Chile (33). Costa Rica has enjoyed a steady rise on the index during the […]

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Costa Rica: Northern Zone, residents targets for assaults, robberies

ticotimes.net reported Responding to pressure from residents in Costa Rica’s Northern Zone, who say they increasingly have become targets for assaults and robberies, the Public Security Ministry announced Thursday that it had conducted the first of several sweeps of the area in an effort to catch the bad guys. Mata met with San Carlos municipal […]

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Costa Rica: American Expat found, bludgeoned to death

July 23, 2014 nacion.com reported the security forces of Coto Brus confirmed this Wednesday evening the killing of an American woman, of 37 years, by a man of 20, who lived in the same House. The crime took place in Los Angeles of Limoncito, Coto Brus. At 2:40 p. m. received the alert through 911 […]

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Study of three drug transit routes in Costa Rica

Rodolfo Calderón Umaña reported Central America’s emergence as a principal transit route for illicit drugs from South America to the U.S. has given rise to local retail markets supplying users within the region. A study of three Costa Rican communities – one in greater San José and two along the Caribbean coast – highlights several […]

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Costa Rica begins implementation of prison reforms

aulablog.net reported pPrison overcrowding is a widespread problem in Latin America, primarily because of harsh drug-sentencing laws and inadequate budgets, but Costa Rica may be setting a useful example for dealing with it. In most countries, guards control the perimeter, but groups of prisoners or criminal gangs organize and control life inside the prison compound. […]

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Complaint lodged against Swedish TV show using Costa Rica National Anthem

theguardian.com reported Swedish TV apologies to Costa Rica for using national anthem for gameshow Costa Rica lodges diplomatic protest, describing TV4’s use of anthem in trailer as ‘grave disrespect to our national symbol. A Swedish TV network has apologised to Costa Rica for using the Central American country’s national anthem to promote a comedy show. […]

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Costa Rica to investigate U.S. programs in CR established to destabilize Cuba

appeal-democrat.com/AP reported Costa Rica’s director of intelligence and security says his government will investigate undercover U.S. programs based in the Central American country that were designed to destabilize the government in Cuba. Mariano Figueres says Costa Rica has found no records or information on a project overseen by the U.S. Agency for International Development that […]

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Costa Rica recommends against travel to Dominican Republic, due to chinkunguna virus outbreak

lainformacion.com reported the Ministry of health of Costa Rica today suggested to the Costa Rican avoid travel to Dominican Republic, due to the number of cases reported to the country of the chinkunguna virus. “If a person does not have the need to go, it is better not to do it, it is a suggestion […]

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Costa Rica: Preparing Green Alert for Chikungunya Virus

The Costa Rica News (TCRN) –The Ministry of Health is preparing for the declaration of a ‘green alert’ for chikungunya in the country. According to the Director of Health Surveillance, Dr. Mary Ethel Trejos, they are already collecting all the specific information to be presented to the National Emergency Commission and thus have a well-founded […]

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Costa Rica: Workers allege Coca Cola of harassment, anti-union persecution practices

elpais.cr reported two workers of the transnational Coca-Cola reported the company to the Labour Court of San José for harassment and anti-union persecution. The Labour Court of the Second Circuit Court of San José, gives course to the demand for labour against the Coca Cola company, filed by the trade unionist Róger Lanzoni Mora and […]

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U.N. reaches out to Indigenous populations struggle in Costa Rica

IPS.net reported Indigenous people in Costa Rica, hemmed in by violent attacks from farmers and ranchers who invade their land and burn down their homes, have found a new ally: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who met with 36 native leaders during a recent visit to this country. The leaders, representing eight indigenous groups, described […]

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China, Costa Rica planned oil alliance

ipsnews.net reported China’s plan to become Costa Rica’s main energy ally through the joint reconstruction of an oil refinery has been revived after the presidents of the two countries agreed to review the conditions of the project during a meeting in the Brazilian capital. The two countries initially signed a framework accord in 2008, including […]

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Costa Rica: Search Continues for U.S. tourist who was hiking in National Park

ticotimes.net reported search-and-rescue teams from the Costa Rican Red Cross continued their efforts Monday to locate a missing U.S. hiker, believed to have disappeared in the rugged Corcovado National Park in the country’s southwestern Osa Peninsula. Cody Roman Dial, a 27-year-old Alaska native, had been traveling through Mexico and Central America for the last seven […]

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Beef from Costa Rica approved for sales to Russia

ticotimes.net reported Costa Rica’s cattle industry meets all health requirements for exporting to Russia, according to Russia’s Federal Administration of Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control.The approval, currently granted only for meat and milk powder, was issued after Russian experts conducted evaluations of infrastructure at local export companies and investigated the country’s vigilance of animal diseases, Costa […]

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China plans on becoming Costa Rica’s energy ally

ipsnews.net reported China’s plan to become Costa Rica’s main energy ally through the joint reconstruction of an oil refinery has been revived after the presidents of the two countries agreed to review the conditions of the project during a meeting in the Brazilian capital. The two countries initially signed a framework accord in 2008, including […]

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Costa Rica: First case of Chikunguna Virus Detected, French Tourist, may be imported

noticias.yahoo.com reported a French tourist is the first infected the virus chikunguna which is confirmed in Costa Rica, although authorities do not rule out that this is an imported case, said today the Ministry of health. The Director of epidemiological surveillance, María Ethel Trejos, said at a press conference that it is not excluded that […]

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Central America pushing for more infrastructure to attract tourists

ticotimes.net reported that while Costa Rica remains Central America’s top tourist destination, the region’s six other countries are vying to lure tourists and increase revenues by aggressively investing in airports, cruise-ship facilities, hotels and other tourism infrastructure. A $22 million project in neighboring Nicaragua is now underway to modernize the fishing port of Puerto Salvador […]

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Panama outscores Ecuador for retirees according to IL

eturbonews.com reported that Panama, Costa Rica and Ecuador offer the most attractive programs in the world for retirees—wooing foreign pensioners with special visas and significant discounts on everything from airfare to health care, reports InternationalLiving.com. Panama comes out on top with the best retiree-incentive program in the world, receiving a perfect score of 100 in […]

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Costa Rica: tourist boat assaulted by gunmen, passengers robbed of money and passports

eturbonews.com reported that in Tortuguero Costa Rica, a tourist boat carrying from 30 to 40 foreign tourists was assaulted by gunmen from a speed boat. The tourists were on their way to a hotel in Tortuguero when four armed from the speedboat. The assailants removed from the passengers cash and passports. Foreigners included Americans, Europeans, […]

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Jacó Costa Rica: Russian tourist shot, killed in altercation

ETURBONEWS.COM reported Jacó Costa Rica – On December 10th, 2013, a Russian tourist with the last name of Grigorenco was shot and killed after having only been in Costa Rica for two days. The incident happened at about 9:30 am when Mr. Grigorenco apparently was having a mental health incident. He began to throw items […]

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Costa Rica: Fecal matter in waste water along Guanacaste beaches may force closures

Wastewater treatment in Costa Rica is once again making headlines, and the latest reports indicate that strict measures such as limiting access to entire beach towns along the Pacific coast of Guanacaste could be taken unless a comprehensive water management strategy is adopted soon. Earlier this year, Playas del Coco was one of the beaches […]

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Costa Rica growing capital for sex tourism in Latin America

wikipedia.org…Recently, Interpol named Costa Rica the fastest-growing capital for sex tourism in Latin America.[15] Jacó and San José are two of Costa Rica’s most prominent sex tourism locations. Money made by prostitutes is enough to keep the majority of Jacó’s businesses open during the off season, as it provides a significant economic supplement.[16] Americans are […]

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Yellow Fever Vaccination required to enter Costa Rica from twenty countries

mundoturismo.com reported……..To enter to Costa Rica, as in most countries of the Caribbean and Central America, be immunized against yellow fever is required for travelers coming from areas with risk of transmission, among the countries concerned risk are Angola, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Ecuador, Gambia, Nigeria, and Sudan. All travelers who intend to visit […]

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Costa Rica: French tourist drowns in Tortuguero Limón

nacion.com reported that French tourist Jean Pierre Maurice Bomvallo, 59, drowned in Tortuguero, Limón, on Sunday at about 11 am The incident occurred in front of the hotel itself La Princesa, in the coastal community located north of Limon and belonging to Pococí. Read Article

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Costa Rica: Network of Organ Traffickers detained, Israel connection

Reuters – elpais.cr reported that authorities arrested three Costa Rican doctors and a Greek restaurant owner on suspicion of organizing illegal organ sales. 1. Three doctors were arrested. 2. Greek owner of a pizza restaurant detained – responsible for recruiting individuals to sell their organs. 3. Doctors allegedly involved in arranging private locations for transplants. […]

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Costa Rica: Taxi drivers working at airport obtain fraudulent English certifications

CostaRicanTimes.net reported….. – You get off your flight to Costa Rica. You go through baggage claim to pick up your luggage. You then head outside and are asked right away by about 20 different taxi drivers asking you where you want to go. Do they speak English? You would think yes……..but their certificates may be […]

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Costa Rica: Dengue cases up sharply in 2013

costaricantimes.com reported…..If you are thinking of travelling to Costa Rica or if you are living in Costa Rica you are probably aware of the dengue epidemic that ha hit the country. Although it is fairly easy to prevent this by using mosquito repellent or making sure your screens are intact, it is something to have […]

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Costa Rica: Catholic Nun denounced for the alleged sexual abuse and rape of two girls

A Catholic nun was denounced by the state National Association for Children of Costa Rica (PANI) for the alleged sexual abuse and rape of two girls, ages 3 and 6 years, Efe confirmed judicial sources. The nun was on the staff of a private children’s shelter of the order of the Sisters of Mary Help, […]

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Costa Rica: Review of some popular scams

Costa Rica News – Scammers are probably the best people you’ll meet in your entire life. Why? They want something that you have, and they are going to take it from you. These crooks look like anybody else you know; a friend, a trusted neighbor, or somebody posing as a relative, knocking on your doorstep. […]

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Brazil: 7 Suspects Detained for Diverting R$47.5 million in Public Funds

estadao.com.br reported on September 3, 2013 that the Federal Police launched “Operation Pronto Emprego” to combat the diversion of public funds (R$47.5 million) granted by the Ministry of Labor and Employment. The police arrested seven suspects including an aid to the secretary of the Ministry of Labor who was arrested in a hotel in Sao […]

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San Jose, Costa Rica: Dismantled Gang Used Mail Service to Traffic Drugs

From lainformacion.com on August 28, 2013- Authorities in Costa Rica dismantled an international drug trafficking gang that was using the postal service to send and receive drugs. The group was led by one Lithuanian and two Romanians who had recruited officials from the state-owned postal service. This organization shows the continued “diversification” of drug trafficking […]

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Puerto de Moín, Costa Rica: Authorities Seize 300 Kilos of Cocaine from Colombia

From lainformacion.com on August 26, 2013- Costa Rican police National Guardsmen seized 300 kilos of cocaine hidden in the hull of a Colombian boat known as “Sant Lucía.” The boat originated in the Colombian port of Puerto de Turbo in Antioquia, and the boat was seized in the Costa Rican port of Puerto de Moín. […]

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Penas Blancas, Costa Rica: Police Detain Guatemalan with 202 Kilos of Cocaine

From lainformacion.com on August 14, 2013- The Drug Control Police of Costa Rica (PCD) arrested a Guatemalan who was attempting to transport 202 kilos of cocaine to Nicaragua. The drugs were hidden in a “double wall” in the container of a truck. The drugs were discovered during a routine inspection at the Penas Blancas border […]

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Costa Rica: POLICE CORRUPTION ENDEMIC PROBLEM

costaricantimes.com reported that whether anyone wants to admit it or not payoffs and bribes happen within the ranks of the Costa Rican police force each and every day. It seems that power that abuse of power has filtered down the ranks. This unethical virus has taken root so much that on average 6 times a […]

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Costa Rica plans to close public zoos

Costa Rican officials say they plan to close both of the country’s public zoos next year so that animals can be freed from their cages. But the foundation that runs the animal parks said Saturday it is trying to keep them operating. Environment Minister Rene Castro announced in recent days that the 97-year-old Simon Bolivar […]

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Central America: Mexican Cartels Continue Regional Expansion

From El Cronista Digital on July 29, 2013- According to Gema Santamaria, a Mexican academic, the policies of Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto will have no positive changes for Central American countries dealing with the continued expansion of Mexican cartels. Pena Nieto’s strategy has been to limit drug trafficking violence and crimes of high impact […]

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Limón, Costa Rica: 15 Year Old Girl Sexually Exploited With Parents’ Consent

On July 12, 2013 Alianza Por Tus Derechos reported that the National Child Welfare Board (PANI) has intervened in a case involving the parents of a 15-year-old girl who received financial support in exchange for consenting to their daughter maintaining a sexual relationship with much older men. In one instance, the girl lived with a […]

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Costa Rica: Organ Trafficking Among Human Trafficking Cases in 2013

On July 18, 2013 Sipse Noticias reported that of the 20 victims of human trafficking reported so far this year, 7 had been exploited for the purpose of organ trafficking. The data comes from a report by the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Unit of the General Immigration Directorate, which indicated that the victims include […]

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Liberia, Costa Rica: Police Arrest 5 Suspected Sex Traffickers

On July 11, 2013 La Nación Noticias reported that police in Liberia, Costa Rica have arrested five people and freed 13 alleged victims of trafficking during two raids on the “Sol y Luna” bar, also known as “La Casa Rosada”. During the raids, police arrested the alleged leaders of the trafficking operation, Moya “Roxana” Picado […]

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Members of the Knights Templar Arrested in Costa Rica

From lainformacion.com on June 29, 2013- Police in Costa Rica captured two suspected members of the Mexican drug cartel, the Knights Templar, and seven Costa Ricans who were working with the cartel. The murder of a Guatemalan and a Costa Rican model last November sparked the investigation into Mexican cartel activity in Costa Rica. The […]

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Costa Rica: Organ Trafficking Network Dismantled

On June 18, 2013 El Mundo reported that the Attorney General and the Judicial Investigation Office of Costa Rica have dismantled a transnational organ trafficking network. The criminal organization operated primarily in Costa Rica, with branches in Eastern Europe, while receiving its direction and financing from Israel. During the operation, police also arrested Dr. Francisco […]

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Costa Rica: Doctor Arrested and Several Hospitals Raided in Organ Trafficking Investigation

On June 18, 2013 Teletica reported on a series of police raids on various public and private hospitals in Costa Rica, as part of an investigation related to organ trafficking. Dr. Mora Palma, who works in the nephrology department at of Calderón Guardia Hospital, was arrested during the police operation. On May 27, the Mexican […]

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Costa Rica: Websites Abound for Sex Tourism Industry

On June 4, 2013 CRHoy.com reported on the large number of tourism websites advertising sexual services in Costa Rica. Dozens of internet sites promote the country as a “perfect destination” for sex tourism, with some even offering advice on which areas are frequented for these purposes, as well as how to obtain a variety of […]

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Costa Rica Takes Steps to Prevent “Organ Transplant Tourism”

On May 30, 2013 La Nacion reported that Costa Rican Deputy Minister of the Interior Freddy Montero was not surprised by a recent report by Mexican newspaper “El Universal” denouncing organ transplant tourism in Costa Rica. However, Montero stated that, so far, Costa Rica has been working well to prevent this crime, and mentioned a […]

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Costa Rica on blacklist of 17 tax havens according to French government

Costa Rica on Monday appeared on a blacklist of 17 tax havens released by the French government, the daily newspaper Le Monde reported. Coincidentally, the report was published just before the U.S. government unsealed a three-count indictment against naturalized Costa Ricans for operating a $6 billion alleged money laundering business out of the southwestern San […]

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Costa Rica: Canadian murdered in gated community

According to globalnews.ca reported: Canadian expatriate murdered in home invasion near San Jose, Costa Rica. Last week gunmen desguised as security guards broke into the victims residence near San Jose in a gated community. Brad Deering attempted to escape when he was shot three times in the head. THINKING OF MOVING TO ECUADOR – NEW […]

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Drug Traffickers Captured in Costa Rica with Ties to Mexico and Ecuador

Drug Traffickers Captured in Costa Rica with Ties to Mexico and Ecuador Prensa Latina reported on May 15, 2013 that the Drug Control Police (PCD) of Costa Rica arrested members of an international drug ring dedicated to the transfer of large shipments of cocaine from South America to the United States via the sea. Four […]

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Costa Rica: Drug Czar resigns after President’s use of plane with drug trafficking ties

Costa Rican “Drug Czar” Resigns after Airplane Incident On May 17, 2013 La Nacion reported that the Director of the Costa Rican DIS and of the National Anti-drug Commission, Mauricio Boraschi, resigned after an incident concerning the president Chinchilla’s use of a private plane with drug trafficking ties. President Chinchilla’s personal assistant, Irene Pacheco, and […]

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Puntarenas, Guanacaste Costa Rica hit hard by Dengue outbreak

Nacion.com repoerted that Dengue virus attacked with more force than usual this summer, preying especially those living in the provinces of Puntarenas and Guanacaste. These coastal areas account for 52% of all patients this year: 1,394 affected in the Central Pacific Region and the Region Chorotega 1097, according to the latest data from the Social […]

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Costa Rica: police to patrol nesting areas of turtles to protect eggs in Limón

From Monday, police will be trained in Lemon protection of nesting leatherback turtles that come to nest on the Caribbean coast. The forces of this province coordinated with the Coast Guard, the Ministry of Environment and panels and the GAO and the IPU to start patrols in Westphalia, Moin, Bocana of Matina and Vizcaya. Erick […]

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Limón Costa Rica: Security issues, Hotel Colón Caribe closes after latest assault

DUE TO SECURITY ISSUES Hotel Colón Caribe CLOSES DOORS m.teletica.com reported that this past Friday Caribbean Hotel Colón in Limón closed its doors after suffering a recent assault with weapons being used. Furniture was loaded away last Friday after the hotel operated for 14 years. The manager made the decision to close after Swedish and […]

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Costa Rica: reported highest number of dengue cases in ten years

spanish.china.org.cn reported that Costa Rica sum so far the year 5615 cases of dengue, the highest figure recorded in the last 10 years, reported the Social Security Fund (CCSS). Costa Rica sum so far the year 5615 cases of dengue, the highest figure recorded in the last 10 years, reported the Social Security Fund (CCSS). […]

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Costa Rica: tourist from U.S. dies after fall from horse

nacion.com reported… Coming on vacation to Costa Rica was part of what she loved the young Caiklen Debroca Meredith, an American who died aged 23 in Playa Potrero today. She was staying in condominiums in Las Catalinas, Playa Potrero. Today she decided to take a tour on horseback, making her last trip and who died […]

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Ninis: a social problem for Costa Rica

His routine is part of the lifestyle of ninis: youth who neither study nor work. Some love the option of living and other frustrated watching them playing closed every door in search of opportunity. In Costa Rica, this population is made up a total of 201,870 people from 12 to 24, who represent 19% of […]

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Costa Rica: number of people over 65 to triple by 2050

elpais.cr reported that the number of people over 65 will triple in Costa Rica in 2050, while children under 15 years will be reduced, according to projections released today by the National Institute of Statistics and Census ( INEC).”The size of this population (over 65 years) will triple over the next 40 years, from 316,000 […]

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Costa Rica: Italian detained with liquid cocaine in bottles of vodka

Authorities in Costa Rica today reported the arrest of an Italian carrying liquid cocaine in bottles of vodka and a Guatemalan with 80 capsules of heroin in his stomach, both at the airport Juan Santamaría, on the outskirts of San Jose. The Italian had the flight route San Jose, Madrid, Touluse (France) and the authorities […]

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Costa Rica: Ecuadorian boat seized with 470 kilos of cocaine

Eluniverso.com reported that an Ecuadorean boat arrested Monday in the Costa Rican Pacific carried a total of 470 kilos of cocaine, according to the final tally made by the authorities, said Tuesday the Ministry of Security. The drug has already been sent to San José in aerial surveillance aircraft, while the four arrested, two Costa […]

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Costa Rica: foreign suspect arrested in hold up of bus on Feb. 11, 2013

A foreigner, 20, was arrested Friday on suspicion of involvement in an assault that occurred on February 11 in a bus route in San Pedro Vargas Araya of Montes de Oca. Agents Assault Section, the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ), effected the arrest in his home in Sabanilla, Montes de Oca, where important evidence was seized. […]

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Costa Rica: 300,000 youth between 15 and 24 seeking employment

Nearly 300,000 young people aged 15 to 24 who are working or seeking employment in our country, a population that represents about a third of the total number of boys in that age. Among young workers, half working in trade, agriculture or industry, three quarters are single and three-quarters also have one or more children. […]

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Dengue Outbreak Puntarenas Costa Rica

costaricantimes.com reported that for all those people that have noticed a few more mosquitoes than normal during dry season, they are not a figment of the imagination. No rains have come, however there is talk of an epidemic of dengue in Puntarenas and even a recent death of a woman infected with the virus. dengue-costa_rica […]

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Talamanca Costa Rica: cameras being installed to help deter crime against tourists

lanacion.com reported that in Talamanca Bribri. A modern camera surveillance system will be installed on the streets of the southern Caribbean coast as a deterrent against attacks on tourists. The plan, to be implemented jointly by the Chamber of Southern Caribbean Tourism, the Ministry of Public Security and the Municipality of Talamanca, has a cost […]

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Costa Rica: tourist attacked on beach by ants, runs into ocean, drowns

lanacion.com reported that Skuglud Mauricio Alberto Acuna, 42, a naturalized foreigner and resident of Costa Rica San Vicente de Moravia, drowned Monday afternoon in a Belltower Point beach in Drake Osa, Puntarenas. According to authorities, the man entered the area with friends to enjoy a few days of vacation and on Monday, after lunch, decided […]

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Costa Rica: three in ten assaults committed with toy guns

A judgment of the court in San Jose, which authorized the National Arsenal on Monday destroy toy guns 487, notes that three in ten assaults are committed with such weapons. These guns are replicas of revolvers, shotguns, AK-47s and pistols of various calibers. Through an office of 28 January, the President of the Supreme Court […]

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Hotel Samasati Costa Rica victim of armed attack, 18 tourists robbed

Hotel Samasati – one victim was taken to a local hospital after being struck in the face. Puerto viejo, limon Costa Rica, 18 tourists robbed at gunpoint (many tourists from the United States Hotel is located in the southern region of Limón, near the border with Panama. According to the ticotimes.net, five armed assailants raided […]

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Costa Rica: green (preventive) alert issued for Rincón de la Vieja Volcano

green (preventive) alert Ticotimes.net reported that CNE issued a green (preventive) alert in areas surrounding the volcano late last year, both for residents and visitors to the Rincón de la Vieja National Park. CNE Chief Operating Officer Walter Fonseca said they received multiple reports that the volcano has been spewing ashes and rocks in recent […]

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Costa Rica approves MONSANTO for planting genetically modified corn

The National Biosafety Technical Commission decided by a majority opinion granting positive Monsanto to plant one or two hectares of GM maize in Costa Rica. This information was confirmed by Alejandro Hernandez, a member of the Commission by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and by the NGO Coecoceiba. The request made ​​by the company […]

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Costa Rica initiates new law against human trafficking

china.org.cn reported that Costa Rica account starting today with a new law against human trafficking offenses and punishing new increases penalties for those who engage in this scourge, reported the Directorate General of Immigration. Costa Rica account starting today with a new law against human trafficking offenses and punishing new increases penalties for those who […]

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Costa Rica: U.S. tourist from Colorado dies as result of crashing wave in Puntarenas

Nacion.com reported – Parrita, Puntarenas. An American, identified as Michael McKinsckly, 65, died yesterday morning, when a large wave rolled him and hit him hard against the sand. The incident occurred in Esterillos beach, west of Parrita. Carlos Carrillo, lifeline of the area, said the victim was with a boogie board in the water. “When […]

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Use due diligence if using medical or legal services in Costa Rica

Costa Rica News – We did an article on a legal loophole that surgeons were using to perform surgeries in Costa Rica. This occurs because those graduating from medical school in Costa Rica will graduate with a degree in Medicine and Surgery, and the College of Law does not differentiate between the two terms. Costa […]

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JetBlue to begin Fort Lauderdale – Costa Rica service June 2013

routesonline.com reported that JetBlue starting 27JUN13 will begin new service to Costa Rica, with daily Ft. Lauderdale – San Jose service on board Airbus A320 aircraft. Reservation for this new route is now open. Read Article

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Costa Rica considered best investment destination for business services

Costa Rica is the best investment destination in Latin America for the thirteenth and services in the world, according to global consulting firm Tholons, according to Costa Rican officials said. Coalition for Development Initiatives (Cinde), responsible for attracting investment to Costa Rica, said in a statement that the Central American country stood out as the […]

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Costa Rica: Six foreign women rescued from sexual exploitation operation

Authorities in Costa Rica announced today that six foreign women rescued victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation in the tourism province of Guanacaste, on the Pacific country. The Department of Immigration said in a statement that women are rescued Friday Nicaraguan and Dominican, without specifying details for their protection, who were forced to work at […]

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