All Entries in the "Local News" Category
American Tourist Shot in Head in Costa Rica Dies in Hospital
United States citizen, Steve Flesch aged 32 died on Tuesday at Hospital San Juan de Dios in San Jose, Costa Rica after fighting for his life, since a gunshot wound to the head put him into a coma on April 2nd.
Costa Rica Government Asks Facebook to Close Down Page
School children fighting in the street, and protesters fighting with journalists in front of the legislative assembly in San Jose are examples of the altercations caught on video and uploaded to the facebook page, titled Pichazos Costa Rica. Now the ministry of education (MEP) and child welfare agency (PANI) have asked facbook to take down [...]
Increase in Armed Robberies in the Puerto Viejo
The U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica emailed the following Security Message for U.S. Citizens. Within the last few weeks, the Embassy has received increased reports of armed robberies of tourists in the Puerto Viejo area. In light of this situation, the U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens living in or visiting the Puerto Viejo [...]
Suspected sneak thief says he is Canadian national
Video surveillance shows a man taking a laptop computer while sneaking out of a San Jose hotel, this weekend. According to the hotel owner, the suspect gained the confidence of an employee and the hotel reception because he appeared to be an English speaking foreigner and identified himself as Canadian. He was left unattended for [...]
Land dispute over the gates to Los Sueños
Sheldon Haseltine describes his experience in Costa Rica over a plot of land he purchased in the 1970s, and spent 14 years in court to defend. Read more about his case in AM Costa Rica
Ministry of Health Taking Aim at Smoking Violations
The ministry of health has officially started investigating complaints of establishments that allow smokers to violate the right of the public to a smoke free environment. A recent article in Diario Extra explains there are five formal complaints under investigation. According to the article, only one establishment is in San Jose central valley, and while none of [...]
Breath of Fresh Air in Costa Rica
A comprehensive ban on smoking in public places, just two months since its first legislature approval now enjoys widespread acceptance in Costa Rica. For some in the English-speaking community, the change generated a great deal of confusion. The smoking ban, which became law following the signature of President Laura Chinchilla on March 22nd prohibits smoking [...]
Costa Rica and Panama Travel Alert
Dear American Citizens, The State Department alerts U.S. citizens of the risks of travel along the Pan-American Highway in western Panama and of the border crossing at Paso Canoas, Costa Rica at this time. This Travel Alert expires on February 20, 2012. Disputes over mining rights in western Panama have led to violent confrontations between [...]
“Costa Risa” Video mocks Chinchilla Government
A group of clowns running around in circus is symbolic of the administration of Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla and her government’s plan to impose substantially higher taxes to offset deficit spending. Throughout the creative use of painted midgets, slapstick and sarcastic commentary deals with issues of government corruption, high taxes and criminal impunity. Chinchilla [...]
Public Security and Future of Central American Youth in Peril
President Laura Chinchilla appeared before the United Nations General Assembly last week and woefully declared that the Republic of Costa Rica is seriously threatened by the problem of narcotics related crime and violence. The statement is a bold one coming from the leader of a nation that is uncomfortable airing its dirty laundry on the [...]
