Let’s look to night sky and see if Air Force One is being lead by a red nosed reindeer. (Not). Rather it is just another traffic jam which has been kept under wraps for protection of the U.S president and make sure we all have reason to either not be at work, or once again work very little.
Obama’s visit comes at a time when Costa Rica is at many crossroad: soliciting with a sleepy sloth much needed direct foreign investment, develop sustainable infrastructure which in the longer term will bring in massive tourism dollars and in the short term create much needed employment. Equally critical is to reactivate and improve both the public health care system best known as the CAJA and to dramatically improve the educational system which is still founded on memorization instead of thinking.
Certainly we have read about the use of computers systems in schools as far away as the frontier. However, the material is fundamentally the same: Rote memory. A brief study was made by the Ministers of Education, Garnier, and to his dismay 33% of the teachers could not pass the exit exam of high schools.
Rightfully so, U.S. Ambassador, Ann S. Andrew has been concerned that Costa Rica has not, not at all assured foreign investment that their expenditures and their contracts are safe in Costa Rica.
We have a national mantra something similar to India and China which is, “Okay we signed the contract now let’s start negotiating.”
President Obama, outside of the SICA conference will certainly ask what does Costa Rica need and how do we do it in a way that makes common sense?”
We have minutes, only minutes to present our case.
Johnny Araya will be presented to Obama since he, right now is favoured to be the next president of Costa Rica.
I have asked the Alcade (Mayor of San Jose) Johnny Araya what he plans to say during his five minutes of interview to Obama and he replied: “My first priority is to reactivate the infrastructure of the country such as our Universal Health System, it cannot fail. Then also reactive public works such as roads, bridges, clean waters which translates to more jobs and more income for the people of Costa Rica. The next priority is to improve our education system which will reduce what we believe is excessive poverty”
The Dirección de Inteligencia y Seguridad (DIS) – Costa Rica’s intelligence and spy unit – requested all hotels ear the Foreign Ministry a list of all their guests who are staying or will be staying while Obama is in town.
CRHoy.com says the request was confirmed by DIS sources close to the online publication.
In addition, members of the United States Secret Service visited major hotels like the Intercontinental and Marriott and the hospital Clinica Biblica, assessing the preparations in the event the US president requires attention.
The source says that a U.S. Air Force helicopter is stationed at the medical centre’s helipad, where Obama would receive basic medical care and transferred to Air Force One, where he would be treated by U.S. doctors on board the presidential plane.
Hotels have also been asked to have a hotel vehicle available to transport guests, as taxi services will not be allowed within the security perimeter.
While the precise time of Obama’s arrival and his exact movements while in Costa Rica have not been released to the press, what is known is that the President will meet with Costa Rican presidenta, Laura Chinchilla and possibly Johnny Araya, who is favoured to be win the 2014 presidential elections, as well as the other Central American presidents who will be in Costa Rica for the SICA conference.
Enrique Castillo, Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister, noted that groups have made clear their intentions to protest the Obama visit, saying, “they want to spoil the party and this minimizes the chances of Obama’s contact with the public”.
Castillo urged these groups are taking advantage of the visit to protest, forgetting the courtesy that whould be given to a viisto as distinguished as Obama.
The Dirección de Inteligencia y Seguridad (DIS) – Costa Rica’s intelligence and spy unit – requested all hotels ear the Foreign Ministry a list of all their guests who are staying or will be staying while Obama is in town.
CRHoy.com says the request was confirmed by DIS sources close to the online publication.
In addition, members of the United States Secret Service visited major hotels like the Intercontinental and Marriott and the hospital Clinica Biblica, assessing the preparations in the event the US president requires attention.
The source says that a U.S. Air Force helicopter is stationed at the medical centre’s helipad, where Obama would receive basic medical care and transferred to Air Force One, where he would be treated by U.S. doctors on board the presidential plane.
Hotels have also been asked to have a hotel vehicle available to transport guests, as taxi services will not be allowed within the security perimeter.
While the precise time of Obama’s arrival and his exact movements while in Costa Rica have not been released to the press, what is known is that the President will meet with Costa Rican presidenta, Laura Chinchilla and possibly Johnny Araya, who is favoured to be win the 2014 presidential elections, as well as the other Central American presidents who will be in Costa Rica for the SICA conference.
Enrique Castillo, Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister, noted that groups have made clear their intentions to protest the Obama visit, saying, “they want to spoil the party and this minimizes the chances of Obama’s contact with the public”.
Castillo urged these groups are taking advantage of the visit to protest, forgetting the courtesy that whould be given to a viisto as distinguished as Obama.
Protesters burn an image mockery of President Barack Obama on Wednesday May 1, 2013, during the International Labour Day in San José (Costa Rica). A confrontation between several dozen youths and police broke out in the area around the Legislature, where were inside were assembled all the deputies, in the traditional May 1 politica activities. Photo / Jeffrey Arguedas
In less than 24 hours U.S. President Barack Obama is set to arrive in Central America, one of the world’s most violent region because of drug trafficking, to meet with the eight presidents who are waiting with economic demands to support their fight against the drug trade and attention for the 5.3 million Central American migrants living in the United States.
Obama arrives in San José, Costa Rica, from Mexico, on Friday, May 3, where during his 22 hours in the country will be holding short meetings with the presidents of the region and attend the Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (SICA) conference.
The White House announced that President Obama is keen to “strengthen cultural ties, and economic fraternity” with Mexico and Central American nations. The official report recognized that security issues will be included on the agenda for discussion.
According to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), attached to the United Nations, more than 70% of the 280 tons of cocaine flowing from South America to the United States passes through Central America.
In its report on the state of the war on drugs 2012, the INCB noted that in several Central American countries, the highest rates of homicides are linked “to organized crime and conflicts between criminal groups fighting for control of routes drug trafficking. ”
The countries most affected by violence and organized crime, according to various sources, are Honduras (92 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants) and El Salvador (69 per 100,000), although the region is plagued by the scourge of drug trafficking.
On a visit to Washington a few days ago, Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes, pointed out that the United States has paid just US$40 million of the US$360 million it has pledged to the security strategy in Central America.
“All Central American presidents agree that while there is not a greater involvement of the main consumer of drugs, the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime is not enough to expected results,” said Funes.
From Managua, Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega was more direct: “The U.S. is the largest recipient of drugs in the world, therefore, should provide more funds if you expect the Central governments can contain drug trafficking.”
A media release from Guatemala, meanwhile, indicated that Guatemalan President Otto Pérez, travels to San José with his intention to restate his controversial proposal to legalize the drug, which has not had much response in the region.
Costa Rica authorities confirmed the presence of eight leaders to the meeting with Obama: in addition to Funes, Ortega, Perez and hostess Laura Chinchilla, attending will be Porfirio Lobo (Honduras), Ricardo Martinelli (Panama), Danilo Medina (Dominican Republic), and Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow.
In addition to the issue of drug trafficking, the presidents could also discuss the American Immigration Reform, which is expected to benefit the 5.3 million Central Americans living in the United States.
According to official data, migrants to the region contributed over US$12.7 billion dollars in remittances in 2012, a record and equivalent to seven percent of gross domestic product (GDP) of the area.
The countries benefiting the most from the remittances is Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, according to official figures.
Remittances are considered a vital source for the fragile econonies of Central America, where it is estimated that nearly half of the population lives in poverty and 19% of them living in extreme poverty.
There is no question that security at the Juan Santamaria (San José) international airport is heightened in advance of the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday.
And it is for that reason that on Wednesday night airport security alerted the airport police unit, Vigilancia Aérea, of an abandoned vehicle in the airport’s parking lot.
According to Oldemar Madrigal, director of Vigilancia Aérea, the vehicle that generated the alert had been left near the Sana terminal, west of the main terminal.
After a close inspection, including the use of the K-9 unit, police ruled out any trace of flammable or explosive substances. “This is normal procedures we use in airport terminal whenever a situation of this kind. Same with abandoned luggage inside the airport and in emergency rooms,” said Madrigal.
Madrigal added that they are now investigating if the vehicle is owned by someone working at the airport or a travelling passenger.
This Friday, May 3rd, 57 branches of Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) will close because of the day off granted to government workers as a result of the visit of US President Barack Obama.
Information disclosed by the bank points out that the branches are located in the cantons of San José, Alajuela, Montes de Oca, Escazu, Curridabat, Goicoechea, and Belen.
However, the source remarked that the Customer Call Center (2284-6600), the Webpage www.bancobcr.com, Bancatel (2258-9191),
Mr. Obama will be in Costa Rica from 2 p.m. on Friday, May 3rd, through noon on Saturday, May 4th.
Let’s look to night sky and see if Air Force One is being lead by a red nosed reindeer. (Not). Rather it is just another traffic jam which has been kept under wraps for protection of the U.S president and make sure we all have reason to either not be at work, or once again work very little.
Obama’s visit comes at a time when Costa Rica is at many crossroad: soliciting with a sleepy sloth much needed direct foreign investment, develop sustainable infrastructure which in the longer term will bring in massive tourism dollars and in the short term create much needed employment. Equally critical is to reactivate and improve both the public health care system best known as the CAJA and to dramatically improve the educational system which is still founded on memorization instead of thinking.
Certainly we have read about the use of computers systems in schools as far away as the frontier. However, the material is fundamentally the same: Rote memory. A brief study was made by the Ministers of Education, Garnier, and to his dismay 33% of the teachers could not pass the exit exam of high schools.
Rightfully so, U.S. Ambassador, Ann S. Andrew has been concerned that Costa Rica has not, not at all assured foreign investment that their expenditures and their contracts are safe in Costa Rica.
We have a national mantra something similar to India and China which is, “Okay we signed the contract now let’s start negotiating.”
President Obama, outside of the SICA conference will certainly ask what does Costa Rica need and how do we do it in a way that makes common sense?”
We have minutes, only minutes to present our case.
Johnny Araya will be presented to Obama since he, right now is favoured to be the next president of Costa Rica.
I have asked the Alcade (Mayor of San Jose) Johnny Araya what he plans to say during his five minutes of interview to Obama and he replied: “My first priority is to reactivate the infrastructure of the country such as our Universal Health System, it cannot fail. Then also reactive public works such as roads, bridges, clean waters which translates to more jobs and more income for the people of Costa Rica. The next priority is to improve our education system which will reduce what we believe is excessive poverty”
More than 1.000 officials of the Fuerza Pública (police) and 150 officials of the Policía de Tránsito (traffic police) have been assigned to work the security operation for the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama.
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The Ministro de Seguridad, Mario Zamora, said that the officers will be on special duty starting at 6am Friday and working around the clock until Obama leaves on Saturday.
Zamora, during a press conference, said that Air Force One is expected to land at the Juan Santamaría international airport around noon Friday and that the U.S. presidential motorcade will travel along the autopista General Cañas, Paseo Colon and Avenida Segunda to reach the first stop on Obama’s agenda, Casa Amarilla (Foreign Ministry) in Barrio Amón.
Zamora explained that people will be able to line up along the route to take a look at the presidential motorcade, meanwhile in Barrio California and Barrio Amón, there will be a 200 metre permiter security seal. The Central American Integration System (SICA) meeting will be in the in the old customs (Fercori buiding) in Barrio California, a short distance from the Casa Amarilla,located in Barrio Amón, adjacent to the INS building.
Authorities would not disclose where Obama will be staying. Zamora hinted that it could be one of two hotels booked by the American diplomacy.
Although details are sketchy, authorities say there could be closures of the Ruta 27 (San José – Caldera), a route that would be taken by the Obama motorcade, leading to speculation that the U.S. president may stay either at the Intercontinenal hotel in Escazú or possibly the U.S. Ambassador’s home, also in Escazú.
The relatives of patients at Calderon Guardia Hospital, downtown San Jose, won’t be able to visit them on Friday, May 3rd.
The medical center decided to do so because it has been appointed a “base hospital for emergencies” during the visit of the President of the United States Barack Obama on Friday, May 3rd, and Saturday, May 4th.
According to information from the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS, the Social Security institution), visiting hours will be back to normal on May 4th, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
According to the CCSS, non-medical units in the seven cantons covered by the day off for public workers will be closed. This measure covers the cantons of San Jose, Alajuela, Belen, Escazu, Goicoechea, Montes de Oca, and Curridabat.
However, basic health centers, health areas, and hospitals will operate normally, the CCSS remarked.
Upon the landing of Air Force at Juan Santamaria International Airport, on May 3rd, a 22-hour countdown will start for President Barack Obama in Costa Rica, where his stay will be marked for extreme precision in operational and security details.
More than 1,000 police officers in uniform and the 180 agents of the Intelligence and Security Bureau (DIS in Spanish) will be deployed in an effort to grant security to Mr. Obama. Also acting to that end will be officers from the Special Intervention Unit (UEI in Spanish) and US agents who have been in San Jose for several days already.
Upon the arrival of Air Force One, a security operation will be at full throttle, one that the Vice-Minister of the Presidency Mauricio Boraschi describes as “one of the largest ever in Costa Rica”, since the arrival of the President of the world power will be accompanied by those of six other heads of state from the region.
“Recent events in the United States make us be in red alert,” Mr. Boraschi pointed out. He asserted that security will be extreme in the five places the US President is expected to visit and also on the intervening routes.
The Yellow House (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he will meet with President Laura Chinchilla), the National Culture Center (where he will hold a press conference) and the National Theater (where he will meet with the Central American presidents and will share dinner) are the places foreseen for Friday, May 3rd, in addition to the hotel in Belen or Escazu, according to the preliminary schedule.
No activities are scheduled before 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 4th, at that hour he will hold a business meeting at the old Customs Building. He will leave before noon because the departure of Air Force One back to Washington is set for that hour.
Behind will stay the day of for public workers in San Jose and six other cantons, the public services interrupted because the visit of Mr. Obama, and the eventual demonstrations that several groups were planning.
Also, a photograph of the US President with his Central American peers will have been taken after the meeting that will less than one hour.
The aim of Costa Rican authorities is being able to say that there were no negative surprises, not even demonstrations that blocked streets (“We are ready to answer”, Mr. Boraschi stated), that nothing interfered with the plan for Mr. Obama’s 22 hours in Costa Rica.
A group of hooded youth protestors demonstrated their anger at the government, throwing rocks, bricks, sticks and including molotov cocktail that quickly turned into a violent confrontation with police.
The largest of the grous directed their anger at the front of the Legislative building in the centre of San José, smaller groups fanned out around the building.
More than a dozen where detained by police, which at first were totally outnumbered until the riot squad arrived on scene.
According to Deputy Minister of Security Celso Gamboa, two of the detaineed are foreigners and one is minor.
Armed with rocks, bricks, sticks, anything they could get their hand on and including “molotov cocktails”, a group of young Costa Ricans over took the small number of police officials outside the Legislative Assembly building in downtown San José.
It was 1:oopm when the calm of the day was broken.
The demonstrators, according to authorities, clashed with police and the press, beating television cameramen, journalists and number of police officers.
The riot police squad had to be called into action, to repel the group whose number were much larger than the police officers – the majority female officers – assigned to the front of the Legislative building.
Juan José Andrade, San José chief of the Fuerza Pública (police) said the group attacked anyone in their way, causing injury to people and damage to property.
At least 20 bottles filled with fuel were thrown against the legislative building, causing some to get sick from the strong odors. Fortunately, none of the fuel ignited.
Five people had to be treated by the Cruz Roja (Red Cross), with cuts and bruises.
Police say they detained twenty individuals after a tense half hour of violence.
Mario Zamora, ministro de Seguridad, confirmed that three “Black Hawk” helicopters were overflying San José Tuesday night, checking the route to be taken by the U.S. president.
Zamora added that the machines were reassembled on Costa Rican soil and the flyover was also to test the equipment, that the people should not be alarmed by the presence of U.S. security agents and equipment.
In the days and hours before the Obama arrival, U.S. Security, working with local agents, will be doing advance checks, including crossing streets, checking buildings, scoping angles of security and assessing risk factors in scenarios involving the presidential motorcade.
“I thought It was an earthquake, the house was shaking” and “it was terrifying”, were some of the comments posted on the various social networks of the fly over of San José by U.S. military helicopters on Tuesday night.
Three helicopters flew over San José between 8pm and 9pm, flying low and moving slowly across the night sky.
Other comments on the social media, included:
“Ironically, US aircraft flying over the capital, but, when they are needed to fight drug trafficking, legislators will not let them”.
“The four gringo presidents assassinated were killed in their own territory. Here nothing will happened to Barack Hussein”.
“All that is missing is a base like Guantanamo in San Carlos”.
With the election of legislator Luis Fernando Mendoza, the National Liberation Party (PLN) today resumed control of the Legislature, after two consecutive years that the President of Congress legislators were exercised by opposition political parties.
Mendoza, 51, an economist and legilastor from Guanacaste, won the Presidency of the First Branch of the Republic with 31 votes in his favour: 24 coming from fellow PLN legislators, 3 from the Accessibility without Exclusion Party (PASE), and the rest from ther parties.
Several groups seized May 1, Labour Day, not only to protest against the Chinchilla administration, but also against the U.S. President Barack Obama visit scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
The group called the Nuevo Partido Socialista (NPS) – New Socialist Party, led by Victor Artavia, is calling unity of the different parties to sustain a fight against the government.
The group is also calling for a demonstration on Friday, May 3, the day Obama is to arrive in Costa Rica. The group will gather in the Parque Central, downtown San José, beginning at 3:30pm.
The NPS has the support of the Vanguardia Popular, who today were on the streets of San José with parade banners with the message, “Obama: Go Home! This is our country and not a Yankee backyard!”
Getting the message heard included some 40 motorcyclists and other vehicles with horns and sound systems blaring.
Other messages by the various groups included messages of discontent against the Chinchilla administration.
According to forecasts, the rainy season is upon us and should be in full swing by the 10th of the month.
Forecasts indicate that we can expect to see a 20% increase in rainfall this month and next over the same period last year, and although it may be perceived as more rainfall, in fact it isn’t, this because last year we received less than the usual amount of rain.
The Comisión Nacional de Emergencia (CNE) – National Emergency Commission – has already begun taking precautions, in recent months working with municipalities, delevoping emergency plans.
Causing much of the flooding and emergencies at the beginning of the rainy season is the accumulation of garbage and debris in the sewers and rivers.
Around the house, this is a good time to clean out the eavesthroughs, avoiding water building up on the roof and causing damage.
On your street, it will well worth organizing the neighbours to collectively clean out the storm sewers (if possible) or alerting the municipality of problems.
It is also time to get back to the habit of always carrying an umbrella, and don’t forget to have one in the car as well.
Dressing for the season is also important, a raincoat or sweater will help you keep dry and warm during the chilly evenings.
Retaining walls are of concern during the rainy season, as water accumulation can weaken the structure and cause it to fail during a heavy rainfall.
When driving in the rain, remember to add to your braking distance and steer away from potholes filled with water. You never know how deep the hole is until your wheel is in it, and then its too late. Also a good time to check and change if necessary, the windshield wipers. Ensure that the windshield washer reservoir is full and best to use a windshield washer fluid instead of plain water, to keep the windshields clean.
The headline “Barack Obama Strolled on Central Avenue” appears on the La Nacion Obama reports page in English. Uh?
Although the link has not story attached to it, it made us wonder what’s going. Has Obama already visited Costa Rica and was that all the action last night of the flyover in the west of San José of three U.S. military helicopters, who flew real low and moving really slow?
Costa Rica’s capital city wants to show its best side during the visit of US President Barack Obama starting Friday. And one of the areas which must get some makeup is the area around Casa Amarilla or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 7th Avenue, in Barrio Amón.
The area around Barrio La California, the location of the SICA meetings, will also need sprucing up, not to mention the routes to be taken by the Obama motorcade.
Several crews from the San Jose Municipality and the Compañia Nacional de Fuerza y Luz (CNFL) – National Power Company – joined efforts to place spruce up the lawn on Parque Esapña (across from Casa Amarilla) and to improve street lights in the area.
One of the toughest jobs went to CNFL workers who changed 30 metres of underground cables in order to revive the lamps on Argentina Boulevard.
According to one of the workers, the wire thieves made a mess of the place a couple of weeks ago, leaving the street with light problems which must no exist on security grounds, even more so in the coming days.
It also became known that a census was made in the preceding days in order to learn the number of people working in the shops in the area, as well as of the number of houses in that sector of the capital city. .
One of the critical jobs for the visit of the US President is surveillance, which has been reinforced in all of the area with several groups of police officers.
For several days, Public Force officers have been patrolling the surroundings of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (NS) and the approaches to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. High technology security cameras were placed on the right side of the Ministry.
All of these operations have been closely but discreetly observed by Costa Rican and United States security teams.
On Saturday, May 4th, President Barack Obama and the region’s heads of state will attend the summit of the Central American Integration System.
Mr. Obama will also join President Laura Chinchilla in an activity at the Central American Business Administration Institute (INCAE in Spanish) and the Inter American Development Bank.
One of the situations generating the most uneasiness of the Obama visit among the people is the closing of streets, but the most angered citizens are shop owners, who decided to close their business on May 3rd and 4th. .
“Who is going to pay us those days? We thought Mr. Obama was going to give us dollars,” tongue in cheek said Ms. Carolina Jalinda, the manager of Cafe-té-ría coffee shop.
Miss Larissa Arroyo, a clerk at Ñ Store, in the Amon District, said that Friday and Saturday are the days when the best sales are made.
“It’s a little annoying, but I think it all hinges on lending a hand,” the young clerk added.
Mr. Jos de Hann, owner of the Rincon de San José Hotel said that the situation is not “clear” because there has been a notorious lack of information. He added that they have been called to a meeting in a neighboring hotel where they will be provided with guidelines.
Mr. Javier Sequeira, who works Salvatandas hardware store, said he learned from his boss that they will not open during the visit of the heads of state. He, as well as others who will have a couple of days off, said will take advantage of the unexpected vacation.
More than 1.000 officials of the Fuerza Pública (police) and 150 officials of the Policía de Tránsito (traffic police) have been assigned to work the security operation for the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama.
The Ministro de Seguridad, Mario Zamora, said that the officers will be on special duty starting at 6am Friday and working around the clock until Obama leaves on Saturday.
Zamora, during a press conference, said that Air Force One is expected to land at the Juan Santamaría international airport around noon Friday and that the U.S. presidential motorcade will travel along the autopista General Cañas, Paseo Colon and Avenida Segunda to reach the first stop on Obama’s agenda, Casa Amarilla (Foreign Ministry) in Barrio Amón.
Zamora explained that people will be able to line up along the route to take a look at the presidential motorcade, meanwhile in Barrio California and Barrio Amón, there will be a 200 metre permiter security seal. The Central American Integration System (SICA) meeting will be in the in the old customs (Fercori buiding) in Barrio California, a short distance from the Casa Amarilla,located in Barrio Amón, adjacent to the INS building.
Authorities would not disclose where Obama will be staying. Zamora hinted that it could be one of two hotels booked by the American diplomacy.
Although details are sketchy, authorities say there could be closures of the Ruta 27 (San José – Caldera), a route that would be taken by the Obama motorcade, leading to speculation that the U.S. president may stay either at the Intercontinenal hotel in Escazú or possibly the U.S. Ambassador’s home, also in Escazú.
The United States Ambassador to San Jose Anne Andrew asserted that the Obama Administration seeks more opportunities for US firms to invest in the exploitation of clean energies in Costa Rica and elsewhere in Central America.
In an interview for La Nación, Ambassador Andrew said this will be one of the two topics which President Obama will emphasize during his visit to Costa Rica on May 3rd and 4th. The other priority will be inclusive economic development.
According to the diplomat, there are many opportunities for US companies to develop projects of power generation based on sources such as the sun, the wind or natural gas.
For that reason – she continued -, President Obama will discuss with Presidenta Laura Chinchilla and her Central American peers where investment opportunities in this field are.
Ambassador Andrew quoted as an example the joint investment made by Ad Astra Rocket (Costa Rican) and Cummins Engine (US) to make generators fueled by hydrogen.
Ad Astra is chaired by astronaut Franklin Chang, who attended a meeting with President Obama at the White House to analyze the chances of investment in Central America and Mexico.
The diplomat added that the Embassy is aware of the situation which in Costa Rica is undergoing the US firm Mallon Oil Company, whose contract for oil and natural gas exploration in the northern zone of the country was halted by the Chinchilla Administration.
The Chinchilla Administration declared a moratorium on oil exploration, while regarding natural gas it is more in favor of importing the product.
However, the diplomat argued that natural gas is an opportunity which Costa Rica should consider to substitute energy from polluting sources.
Ambassador Andrew said that their position is, has been and will remain that Costa Rica has to provide a degree of certainty to firms like Mallon Oil in their investments.
Less Risks. Answering on legal security in Costa Rica, after pondering for a few seconds, the Ambassador asserted that this country should provide more certainty to large investors who seek the places with the least risk to establish themselves.
She asserted that 60% of the direct foreign investment flowing into Costa Rica comes from the United States and that the investors expect to get something back. She added her belief that Costa Rica remains highly attractive for US firms who want to do business here, but that the thing hinges on the opportunities Costa Rica can offer in the future.
Ambassador Andrew thinks that such investment is basic to attain the “economic security” which President Obama wants to promote in the region and which is linked to the generation of jobs.
When talking about cooperation, she went back to the topic of the production of power. She believes that mutual help can range from a simple exchange of electricity to the transfer of technology in areas such as energy production or efficiency.
In Costa Rica, the electricity supply system remains centered in the state Costa Rican Power Institution (ICE in Spanish). There is private participation, but it is limited.
Since the beginning, the Chinchilla Administration suggested a reform of the power sector to further open the market, but the reform has not made progress at the Legislative Assembly.
According to the US Ambassador, Costa Rica should not worry about a power network with 2010 technology but one with 2022 technology. She mentioned as a good example electric vehicles which not only are powered by electricity but which help feed the system.
U.S. President Barack Obama is set to fly to Mexico and Costa Rica for diplomatic meetings on Thursday and Friday, which he will use to tout cross-border trade and the Senate’s pending immigration rewrite.
“Our relationship with the countries in Central America is vital … and it is certainly not limited at all to the matters of immigration reform in this country,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said Monday.
However, he added, “you can expect he’ll talk about it, because it’s very topical here in the United States, and it is of interest to countries in the region.”
Starting Thursday morning, the two-day trip will send the president first to Mexico, where he will meet with President Peña Nieto. He will fly the next day to Costa Rica, where he will meet with regional leaders and the country’s presidenta, Laura Chinchilla Miranda.
“The trip will be an important chance to discuss our collective efforts to promote economic growth and development in Central America and our ongoing collaboration on citizen security,” Carney said. (“Citizen security” is the White House’s term for a series of regional law-enforcement programs.)
But the trip also underscores Obama’s efforts to bind Latino immigrants to the Democratic party. In November 2012, the president won 70 percent of the Latino vote — despite a lousy economy that saw a 44 percent loss of wealth among Latino households — by repeatedly showing his support for Latino groups and redistribution policies aimed at the immigrant Latino population.
Obama’s chief campaign strategist, David Plouffe, said that the strongest group of supporters in 2012 for Obamacare were Latinos.
“The bigger problem [Republicans] have got with Latinos isn’t immigration. It’s their economic policies and health care,” he told the New York Times Magazine. “The group that supported the president’s health-care bill the most? Latinos.”
Carney’s description of the Latin American trip reflects that domestic political priority.
“This trip is an important opportunity to reinforce the deep cultural, familial and economic ties that so many Americans share with Mexico and Central America,” he said Friday.
On Monday, Obama met in the White House with a group of U.S. Latino advocates to discuss the pending trip. He told them that “immigration reform continues to be a top legislative priority this year,“ and that “he is looking forward to talking with Latin American leaders about our vision for the Americas as a region of shared opportunity,” said a White House statement.
In three days, U.S. President Barack Obama will be visiting Costa Rica.
Although details of his visit are sketchy at best, what we do know is that Obama will be spending his expected 22 hours in Costa Rica meeting with Presidenta Laura Chinchilla and other presidents of Central America.
After the landing of Air Force One at the San José airport, the Obama motorcade will make its way along the autopista General Cañas to the Casa Amarilla (Foreign Ministry) in Barrio Amón, in the hear of San José.
From there there is little information available to press at this time.
According to Evelyn Ardon R., Information Specialist, at the United States Embassy, San José, Costa Rica, their waiting on “official” information from the White House.
Ms. Ardon pointed out the U.S. Embassy in San José will be open on Friday and be operating normal.
PS. The U.S. Embassy in San José will be closed on May 1.
If you are traveling in Costa Rica and Latin America on the first day of May, you can expect to find banks, government offices and businesses closed for the day as people celebrate the Día Internacional Del Trabajo – Day of the Worker, or May Day or Labour Day – with parades, demonstrations and other symbols of solidarity with the worker.
May 1st is celebrated in many parts of the world. It is traditionally celebrated as a spring festival and is known as the International Worker’s Day in 80 countries around the world.
So now you know why everything shuts down on May 1. Why Labour Day is Celebrated on May 1? Día Internacional Del Trabajo (International Workers’ Day) is the commemoration of the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago.
The police were trying to disperse a public assembly during a general strike for the eight-hour workday, when an unidentified person threw a bomb at them. The police reacted by firing on the workers, killing dozens of demonstrators and several of their own officers.
“Reliable witnesses testified that all the pistol flashes came from the center of the street, where the police were standing, and none from the crowd. Moreover, initial newspaper reports made no mention of firing by civilians. A telegraph pole at the scene was filled with bullet holes, all coming from the direction of the police.”
In 1889, the first congress of the Second International, meeting in Paris for the centennial of the French Revolution and the Exposition Universelle, following a proposal by Raymond Lavigne, called for international demonstrations on the 1890 anniversary of the Chicago protests. May Day was formally recognized as an annual event at the International’s second congress in 1891.
Subsequently, the May Day Riots of 1894 occurred. In 1904, the International Socialist Conference meeting in Amsterdam called on “all Social Democratic Party organizations and trade unions of all countries to demonstrate energetically on May First for the legal establishment of the 8-hour day, for the class demands of the proletariat, and for universal peace.” The congress made it “mandatory upon the proletarian organizations of all countries to stop work on May 1, wherever it is possible without injury to the workers.”
In many countries, the working classes sought to make May Day an official holiday, and their efforts largely succeeded. May Day has long been a focal point for demonstrations by various socialist, communist and anarchist groups. In some circles[which?], bonfires are lit in commemoration of the Haymarket martyrs, usually at dawn. May Day has been an important official holiday in countries such as the People’s Republic of China, North Korea, Cuba and the former Soviet Union. May Day celebrations typically feature elaborate popular and military parades in these countries[citation needed].
In the United States and Canada, however, the official holiday for workers is Labour Day in September. This day was promoted by the Central Labour Union and the Knights of Labour, who organized the first parade in New York City. After the Haymarket Massacre, US President Grover Cleveland feared that commemorating Labor Day on May 1 could become an opportunity to commemorate the affair. Thus he moved in 1887 to support the Labor Day that the Knights supported.
In 1955, the Catholic Church dedicated May 1 to “Saint Joseph The Worker”. The Catholic Church considers Saint Joseph the patron saint of (among others) workers and craftsmen.
Far-right governments have traditionally sought to repress the message behind International Workers’ Day, with fascist governments in Portugal, Italy, Germany and Spain abolishing the workers’ holiday. 1 May in the US is celebrated as Loyalty Day. Argentina In Argentina, Workers’ Day is an official holiday. Even when it is associated with labor unions, essentially all workers tend to respect it. During the day, many celebrations related to the labor movements take place, including demonstrations in the biggest cities. It is also customary to organize meetings at friends’ places, at the sports associations, at the workplace, or at the labor unions for typically local food, usually locro or asado.
The first Workers’ Day celebration was in 1890, when Argentinean unions, controlled in those days by socialists and anarchists, organized several joint celebrations at Buenos Aires and other cities, at the same time that the international labor movement celebrated it for the first time. In 1909, the police killed nine workers during the Workers’ Day celebration in Buenos Aires, in what was the first social massacre of Argentine modern history.
Brazil
In Brazil, Workers’ Day is an official holiday, and unions commemorate it with day-long public events. It is also when salaries for most professional categories and the minimum wage are traditionally readjusted.
Chile
President Carlos Ibáñez del Campo decreed May 1 a national holiday in 1931, in honor of the dignity of workers.[12] The great majority of stores and public services close for the entire day, and the major trade unions of Chile, represented in the national organization Central Unitaria de Trabajadores, organize rallies during the morning hours, with festivities and cookouts in the later part of the day, in all the major cities of Chile. During these rallies, representatives of the major left-wing political parties speak to the assemblies on the issues of the day concerning workers’ rights.
Colombia
May 1 has long been recognized as labor day or Dia del Trabajo and almost all workers respect it as a national holiday. As in many other countries, it is common to see rallies by the trade unions in the main regional capitals of the country.
Costa Rica
It is recognized as a public holiday, and at the same time an important Government set of activities, this day the President of the Republic gives a speech to the citizens and the Legislature members about the duties that were taken through the previous year. The president of the Legislature is also chosen by its members.
Cuba
This day is known as (el día del trabajo) in Cuba. People march in the streets showing their support to their local socialist government and the revolution during the whole morning. La Habana or Santiago de Cuba are some of the cities where more people march. In 2011, guests from 73 countries and 167 representatives of labor and social organizations worldwide joined the march in Habana.
Ecuador
It is recognized as a public holiday on May 1. Día del Trabajo
El Salvador
It is an official holiday and it is commemorated with parades.
Guatemala
May 1 is an official public holiday for Labor Day (know as Día del Trabajo).
Panama
May 1 is an official public holiday for Labor Day (know as Día del Trabajo).
Peru
May 1 is an official public holiday for Labor Day (el día del trabajo).
Mexico
May 1 is a Federal holiday known as Día del Trabajo or Labor Day. It also commemorates the Cananea Mine Strike of 1906 in the Mexican state of Sonora.
Uruguay
In Uruguay, May 1 – Workers’ Day – is an official holiday. Even when it is associated with labor unions, almost all workers tend to respect it.
Venezuela
May 1 is an official holiday in Venezuela. El Día del Trabajador is celebrated on May 1 in Venezuela since 1936, but from 1938 to 1945 it was held on 24 July, by an order of Eleazar López Contreras. Anyway, Isaías Medina Angarita decided to take it back to May 1 in 1945.
The Frente Interno de Trabajadores del Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (FIT.ICE) – the state telecom workers unions – said that it is adamant that it will not rest until the cell phone number “portability” agreement is canceled.
On Monday, thousands of ICE workers gathered in front of the company’s main offices in La Sabana and then moved along Paseo Colon and Avenide Segunda, to end up at the Legislative Assembly to deliver legislators a letter requesting their intervention in getting the contract with the Spanish company, El Corte Ingles, cancelled.
Jorge Arguedas, president of the Asociación Nacional de Técnicos y Trabajadores de la Energía y las Comunicaciones (ANTTEC), and Fabio Chávez, of the Asociación Sindical de Empleados del ICE (Asdeice), concurred with the FIT.ICE and promising to work together until the contract is nullified.
Earlier this year, the Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones de Costa Rica (SUTEL) – communications regulator – awarded the contract to the Corte Ingles to operate the cell number portability and required all the operators to sign a contract to that end.
Claro and Movistar signed almost immediately. ICE, however, stalled and stalled, signing the deal only last Friday, some say under the threat of a US$10 million dollar fine.
The signing of the agreement prompted the workers unions to unite and call for a day of strike and a vow to work together towards having the contract cancelled.
Number portability allows customers of cellular telephone services, of both postpay and prepay, to switch operator and keeping the same number.
The Corte Ingles, under the concession contract with the SUTEL, will manage the number database and the process of switching operator.
ICE, being the biggest mobile operator has the most to lose, since a large majority of its customers have had the same number for years, and many have not switched simply so as not to lose their number.
For Claro and Movistar, they may lose some customers but have the advantage of picking up a large block of customers not satisfied with the service provided by ICE.
Damage to a pump motor has left many in San Isidro de Heredia, northeast of San José, without regular water supply in their homes in the recent days.
According to the Empresa de Servicios Públicos de Heredia (ESPH) – the local water utility – the problem stems from damage to a motor in the Santa Cruz de San Isidro tank, requiring the removal of some 200 metres of pipe to access the pump.
The Santa Cruz tank supplies 75% of the water supply to San Isidro.
The ESPH says it hopes to re-establish normal water supply in the coming days.
Policia de Transito operating a mobile rada/camera to check speeding.
The statistics department of the Policía de Tránsito informs that 31 drivers were ticketed between Saturday and Sunday, after the effect of the new point system. And the majority of the tickets were for speeding.
Under the new point system, drivers are given “demerit” points of four or six for each offence. The accumulation of 12 points – two offences in Category A or three in Category B or a combination thereof – means a driver losing his or her license for 12 months.
Offences in Category A include: speeding, driving under the influence, driving with an expired license, passing in curves, train crossings and bridges and making a U turn or left turn where prohibited. Offences in Category A are six points and a ¢280.000 colones fine.
Offences in Category B include: failing to stop at a stop sign or red light, having altered or fake license plates, carrying dangerous goods, not having Riteve vehicular inspection and allowing children under 12 or less than 1.45 m in height without a car seat. Each offence under Category B is four points an a ¢189.000 colones fine.
Presidenta Laura Chinchilla announced on Monday the investment (spending) of ¢30 million colones in hiring a social media expert to increase and improve her and her government’s online presence, during this last year of her administration.
The company or person to be hired will be responsible for a viral campaign that includes strategies to be applied to sites like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Ustream, Instagram and Storyfy.
Additionally, an evaluation of all information channels like emails and text messages will be made.
The hiring process will be through “abbreviated” bidding, with tenders to be submitted before May 7.
According to the ministro de Comunicación, Francisco Chacón, the hiring will be financed from funds of the US$1 million grant by the Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica (BCIE).
Costa Rica expects to join Peru, Mexico, Chile and Colombia in the Pacific Alliance in May, according to Foreign Trade Minister, Anabel Gonzalez.
The Pacific Alliance was formally set up in 2012. It aims to further develop trade between the four nations, while also serving as a platform for building relations with fast-growing Asian markets.
Gonzalez, in Lima for the Pacific Alliance conference, said that Costa Rica’s entrance to the group will be finalized in an upcoming meeting of Pacific Alliance presidents in Cali, Colombia.
“Costa Rica is a country that shares the objectives of the Pacific Alliance,” Gonzalez said. “We are ready to join. I hope that we are invited to be part of the alliance at the next president’s summit in Cali.”
Costa Rica has previously expressed interest in joining the Pacific Alliance and is currently participating as an observer country.
Other observer countries include Canada, Japan, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Paraguay, Uruguay and Panama.
Typically the vehicular restrictions of San José are lifted during holidays. However, this May 1, it will not happen, the restrictions will be in effect.
The Policia de Tránsito announced that the vehicular restrictions will be place on Wednesday, affecting all vehicles with licenses plates ending in 5 an 6.
Additionally, although the public sector will have the day off on Friday, May 3, this to the visit of U.S. President Obama, the vehicular restrictions will be maintained. Friday all vehicle with license plates ending 9 and 0 are affected.
