All Entries in the "Government" Category

There’s a WAR Ship In Costa Rica!

Costa Rica was the first country in the world to formally abolish its military. However, this lack of armed forces puts Costa Rica in a paradox while regional drug gangs and cartels lawlessly traffic narcotics.

The Costa Rica government has reached out to the United States military for assistance but in light of extremely vocal opposition says the U.S. is on its shore for humanitarian purposes. What’s really going on?!

U.S. Based Developer of Costa Rica Land a Ponzi Scheme

Lorraine Fox wanted a piece of paradise; a tropical retirement home where the temperature is warm, the air is clean and the stress of South Florida is far away.

Along with hundreds of other people across the U.S., Ms. Fox entrusted that dream to Hollywood, Florida based Paragon Properties of Costa Rica. Four years and $115,000 later, the 55-year-old real estate agent has nothing to show for it.

Costa Rica Tourism Board Plugs-In to Social Media

The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) has officially joined the grid of social networking with official Costa Rica pages on facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Persons interested in Costa Rica information and updates can simply join these sites with options of receiving automatic updates.

How To Maximize Social Security for Costa Rica Retirement

Although every retiree has their own specific reasons – such as climate, beauty, nature, etc. – affordability is the one constant that brings thousands to this Central American country. For United States ‘ex-pats’, part of the financial equation is Social Security benefits.

Here is are some legal, little-known strategies that can immediately boost those U.S. Social Security checks or direct deposits.

CAPTURED! Suspects in Multiple Panama Murders

The American couple suspected of multiple homicides were detained while trying to escape this morning in the waters of the San Juan river on the Costa Rica and Nicaragua border.

William “Wild Bill” Adolfo Cortez Reese and his wife Jane Seana Cortez are suspected of killing several area foreign nationals for ‘assumption’ of their businesses and properties.

7,000 U.S. Marines Landing on the Beaches of Costa Rica

A flotilla of 46 United States Navy warships capable of carrying 200 helicopters, along with 10 Harrier vertical take-off and landing fighter jets, and 7,000 combat ready marines is on its way to this Central American country with no standing army.

On July 1, 2010 the Costa Rica Legislative Assembly voted 31-8 to grant the U.S. military full in-country access through the end of 2010 to help fight drug trafficking.

Costa Rica Jaguars get a Protected Migration Pathway

Animal conservation groups are working to create natural corridors for big cats to travel through human-populated areas.

One such corridor is already in-place to help Costa Rica’s jaguars survive, but development is a constant threat to even established pathways.

The Inauguration of Costa Rica’s First Female President

Saturday May 8th, 2010 Laura Chinchilla Miranda was inaugurated into office as the first female president of Costa Rica.

The democratic, peaceful transfer from current President Óscar Arias Sánchez to Laura Chinchilla Miranda took place in a specially constructed viewing area in Parque Metropolitano La Sabana while visiting world dignitaries looked on.

Senior Citizen Travel to Costa Rica

Just Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise.

With tropical rainforests, live volcanoes, long beaches with perfect surf, and each part of the country having its own unique micro-climate … Costa Rica’s beauty is staggering and the sluggish pace seductive.

Senior tourists are visiting Costa Rica in droves to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

President of Costa Rica Supports ‘Legal Recognition’ for Gay Couples

Outgoing Costa Rican President Óscar Arias finally takes a stand on gay unions by stating he supports legal recognition of same-sex couples.

A bill to grant gay couples pension, inheritance, immigration, social-security and other rights is languishing in the Costa Rica Legislative Assembly. So is same-sex marriage coming anytime soon to Costa Rica?

Meet the New Ticas of Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, one woman will soon be president. Another is training to summit Mt. Everest.

Women are increasingly taking jobs out of the home. Putting their careers first, delaying motherhood – while they are slowly rising up the corporate ladder and climbing the echelons of government.

Meet the new Ticas.

Costa Rica’s Relationship with the Catholic Church Amidst Controversy

Today is the religious day known as Good Friday, a holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Yet while a majority of Costa Rican’s are Roman Catholics, the Church has been standing in the eye of a hurricane for the many allegations of pedophilia by priests around the world … and Costa Rican bloggers are concerned!

Costa Rica’s Newest, Largest Marina Boating Facility Opens April 21

Marina Pez Vela, promoted as ‘Costa Rica’s first full service marine facility offering all the necessities for serious boating and amenities for non-serious fun in one of the most spectacular fishing locations in the world’, is opening April 21.

Slips ranging from 35 to 200 feet are located inside a huge new 44 acre breakwater-enclosed harbor, located in the Central Pacific town of Quepos.

The Last Jaguars of Costa Rica

For nearly 20-years Dr. Eduardo Carrillo has been tracking, filming and gathering data on the near threatened jaguar population of Costa Rica.

Carrillo explains that the forests of Latin America are the symbolic heart of this region, and the health of the jaguar population is a key indicator of just how healthy the forests are.

8 Things Costa Rica Taught Me During My Visit

World Wildlife Fund’s Elissa Poma accompanied the WWF on their most recent 2009/2010 Costa Rica for Families EcoTour.

Here are 8 things Elissa learned about Costa Rica during her visit.

President-elect Laura Chinchilla Names Cabinet, Creates Drug Czar

Costa Rica’s President-elect Laura Chinchilla has been busy formalizing her economic, foreign relations, domestic and national security teams.

She also went on the offensive against the growing regional problem of narcotics trafficking by stating drug interdiction will be one of her government’s main priorities as she announced the establishment of a new anti-drug commissioner.

Teaching English in Costa Rica

Today, there is an even greater variety of teaching jobs available in Costa Rica, many with decent salaries that allow one to live in a comfortable apartment, eat well and spend two or three weekends a month at the nearest beach, volcano or mountain town.

Seasoned English teacher Sarah Mosley did just that. She has taught ESL in Costa Rica for two years and is currently teaching at the Green Life Academy in Playa del Coco.

43% of Costa Ricans Don’t Drink Alcohol, but 10% Drink Excessively

Although 57 percent of Costa Ricans drink alcoholic beverages, most do so in moderation.

However, a new study shows a small segment of the population drinks most of the total liquor consumed in this country. Just 10 percent of all Costa Rica drinkers ingest a staggering 80 percent of all alcohol sold.

Costa Rica will Re-institute Military to Keep Out Rush Limbaugh

Calling it the “greatest threat our nation has ever faced,” President Óscar Arias Sánchez has announced that Costa Rica will re-institute the military in order to fend of an invasion by American radio entertainer Rush Limbaugh.

Costa Rica has not had an active military since 1948. However, President Arias felt a very real sense of urgency given the latest developments.

Canadians Almost Escape Spectacle of 2010 Winter Olympics in Costa Rica

It was only when I arrived in Nosara, a beach village on the Pacific in Costa Rica, that I realized the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics had been stressing me out.

We found this country blissfully oblivious to the Winter Olympics, where no one even knew they were happening.