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Costa Rica Tops In Press Freedom In The Americas

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According to the annual report by the the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Reporters Without Borders on the state of freedom of the press around the world, Press Freedom Index 2013, Costa Rica is the highest rated country in Latin America.

Costa Rica ranks 18th of 179 countries in terms of fundamental right and freedom of the press, on spot higher than last year.

In Latin America, the closest to Costa Rica is Uruguay placing 27th, and El Salvador at 38th. The worst countries in Latin America in terms of press freedom are Cuba, placing 171, Mexico at 153 and Honduras at 127.

Among the criteria that Reporters Without Borders bears in mind when developing the classification includes violence against practitioners of information or legislative initiatives undertaken by governments to promote freedom to inform and be informed.

“The Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders does not take direct account of the kind of political system but it is clear that democracies provide better protection for the freedom to produce and circulate accurate news and information than countries where human rights are flouted,” Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire said. “In dictatorships, news providers and their families are exposed to ruthless reprisals, while in democracies news providers have to cope with the media’s economic crises and conflicts of interest. While their situation is not always comparable, we should pay tribute to all those who resist pressure whether it is aggressively focused or diffuse.”


The Report
ngoOverall the report indicates that after the “Arab springs” and other protest movements that prompted many rises and falls in last year’s index, the 2013 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index marks a return to a more usual configuration. The ranking of most countries is no longer attributable to dramatic political developments. This year’s index is a better reflection of the attitudes and intentions of governments towards media freedom in the medium or long term.

The same three European countries that headed the index last year hold the top three positions again this year. For the third year running, Finland has distinguished itself as the country that most respects media freedom. It is followed by the Netherlands and Norway. Although many criteria are considered, ranging from legislation to violence against journalists, democratic countries occupy the top of the index while dictatorial countries occupy the last three positions. Again it is the same three as last year – Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea.

Coinciding with the release of its 2013 Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders is for the first time publishing an annual global “indicator” of worldwide media freedom. This new analytic tool measures the overall level of freedom of information in the world and the performance of the world’s governments in their entirety as regards this key freedom In view of the emergence of new technologies and the interdependence of governments and peoples, the freedom to produce and circulate news and information needs to be evaluated at the planetary as well as national level. Today, in 2013, the media freedom “indicator” stands at 3395, a point of reference for the years to come.

The indicator can also be broken down by region and, by means of weighting based on the population of each region, can be used to produce a score from zero to 100 in which zero represents total respect for media freedom. This produces a score of 17.5 for Europe, 30.0 for the Americas, 34.3 for Africa, 42.2 for Asia-Pacific and 45.3 for the former Soviet republics. Despite the Arab springs, the Middle East and North Africa region comes last with 48.5.

The high number of journalists and netizens killed in the course of their work in 2012 (the deadliest year ever registered by Reporters Without Borders in its annual roundup), naturally had a significant impact on the ranking of the countries where these murders took place, above all Somalia (175th, -11), Syria (176th, 0), Mexico (153rd, -4) and Pakistan (159th, -8).

The Nordic countries have again demonstrated their ability to maintain an optimal environment for news providers. Finland (1er, 0), Netherlands (2nd, +1) and Norway (3rd, -2) have held on to the first three places. Canada (20th, -10) only just avoided dropping out of the top 20. Andorra (5th) and Liechtenstein (7th) have entered the index for the first time just behind the three leaders.

 

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What’s In A Letter? MINAET Changes Back To MINAE That Will Soon Be The MINAEM

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Rico
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The Environment ministry has dropped the “telecommunications” from its portfolio and goes back simple to Environment & Energy, the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía (MINAE).

Several years back with the coming changes in telecommunications, mainly the opening of the cellular telephone market and entering of competing operators in addition to the state, ICE, telecom became part of the MINAE.

With the change, the telecommunications portfolio is no longer and folder is part of the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (Ministry of Science and Technology).

With the change, the MINAE released a new logo.

“The little hand is a symbol MINAE very representative and beloved by both ministry officials and the population, and symbolizes the union of man with nature, of which we are a small part and to which we must respect and care”said Environment Minister Rene Castro.

However, the MINAE monicker may soon be changed again, as the ministry takes on the portfolio of Aguas y Mares (waters and seas). Once the bill presently in the Legislature is passed, the MINAE becomes the MINAEM – the Ministerio de Ambiente, Energía y Mares.

Source: El Pais

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Planning to Borrow? Postpone, Economists Suggest

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Rico
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The limit on credit growth this year set by the Banco Central (Central Bank) this week means a further analysis is needed before making a borrowing decision in the coming months, experts say.

One of those is Felix Delgado, general manager of the Central Bank, who says of “a strong adjustment” in interest rates, in particular in the case of the dollar due to less dollars available in the market.

In general, economists agree that the best course of action in the short term is to postpone any decision to borrow.

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Costa Rica in all its wonder focus of new book

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Rico
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It’s a place where rainforest meets white sandy beach, where unusual critters large and small roam the land, sea and air — a raw, rugged piece of this Earth with mountains and volcanoes.

So it’s no surprise Costa Rica has become a tourist mecca for eco-adventure.

Its wonders, beauty and opportunities this country offers the world is now the focus of a new book, Costa Rica: The Complete Guide ($25.95, Destination Press) by award-winning travel writer and photographer James Kaiser, now available in book stores and online.

Kaiser’s 495-page guide offers just about everything you need to know about this Central American gem that borders Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south.

Whether you’re headed to Costa Rica for a relaxing, pampered stay at an all-inclusive hotel or seeking an adventure of a lifetime, Kaiser’s book has something for everyone.

It’s well-organized with an introduction that includes the ‘best of’ in Costa Rica, (popular beaches, wildlife destinations, waterfalls), practical advice (diseases, money, hotels, restaurants and transportation), adventures (canoeing, hiking, canopy tours, scuba and snorkelling and much more), culture (coffee, legends, festivals, food), and loads of history about the people, wildlife and land.

One of the best things about this book is the use of photographs which provide a visual record of its contents, such as the indigenous fruits, wildlife, native foods, the jaw-dropping scenery found in the different regions of the country and more.

There are also helpful maps and details about how to get around the various regions.

From London Free Press

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Salud To Review Diane-35, Acne and Contraceptive Drug Linked to Women’s Deaths

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Rico
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The Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health) said ti will investigate the drug ‘Diane-35’, whose sale has been banned France in response to the deaths of four women over the last 25 years.

The women died of blood clots linked to their use of Diane-35, an acne drug that is also widely prescribed as an oral contraceptive because it halts ovulation. It has been sold in France since 1987.

France’s National Agency for the Safety of Drugs and Health Products said this week that Diane-35, made by Bayer and licensed in 135 countries, would be withdrawn from sale in three months. Meanwhile, doctors are banned from prescribing the medication.

The medication is authorised for sale and use in Costa Rica.

The Directora General de Salud (Director General of Health), Ileana Herrera, told the media that the Ministry of Health has received no reports of adverse reactions to the product.

However, due to the France alert, authorities will have to conduct assessmets and corresponding analysis.

The chief medical scientist for Bayer Pharmaceutical Division Central America and Caribbean, Miguel Fiallo, said the alert is surprising, yet ensures that drug users do not have to worry if ingested as indicated from Bayer.

The drug is often prescribed “off-label” as a contraceptive.

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Imported ‘Junkers’ Will Not Pass Riteve Inspection, Says Conavi

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Rico
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Vehicles declared “totaled” or junked in other countries and entering Costa Rica (although prohibited by the Ley de Tránsito – traffic law) will not be allowed to pass the vehicular technical review (Riteve), says the director of the Consejo de Seguridad Vial (CONAVI) – Road Safety Council, Silvia Bolaño.

However, Fernando Mayorga, head of the Riteve* vehicle inspection service, said he has yet to received any directive from the CONAVI.

According to Mayorga, they (Riteve) have no way of knowing if a vehicle has been declared a total loss, this can only be filtered at the Aduanas (Customs) level.

Last Monday the law prohibiting the importing of junkers went into effect. The law imposed a fine of ¢1.4 million colones (US$3.000) to anyone doing so. The prohibition is covered under the new traffic law that went into effect last October.

However, once a vehicle has entered the country, the owner can then proceed to register the vehicle and the Riteve inspection certificate is one step in the process.

*Riteve SyA is a private consortium working under a concession of the Ministerio de Obras Publicas y Transportes (MOPT).

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Banco Central Imposes A Ceiling On Credit Growth

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Rico
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The Banco Central (Central Bank) imposed a ceiling of 12.2% on the growth of credit for this year over last.

The restrictive easure, part of the ‘Programa Macroeconómico 2013-2014’ (Macroeconomic Porgram), imposes a limit on new loans by financial institutions between February and October.

Thus borrowing in dollars many only grow 9.9% and 13.8% in colones, during the period.

The decision of the bank is avoid the creation of a credit bubble, said Banco Central president, Rodrigo Bolaños

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Johnny Araya Acclaimed As PLN Presidential Candidate

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Rico
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Almost four years ago Johnny Araya had to take a back seat to Laura Chinchilla for the leadership of the PLN party, losing the presidential nomination in a tight race.

Last night, Araya was acclaimed as the 2014 PLN candidate at a ceremony at the Balcon Verde in La Sabana.

The cost of admission was ¢30 million colones, the amount required to be paid to the party by candidates. The cost would have been higher if there had been other candidates, that would have forced a convention.

The long time mayor of San José is not the official PLN candidate and could become Costa Rica’s next president in the elections of February 2014.

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Costa Rica Pineapples In Demand

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Rico
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“Nowadays, Costa Rica’s pineapples are the most demanded variety. Although produced also in other countries, Costa Rica has a reputation for producing the world’s best pineapples,” says Kent Meyer, of BriBri Compañía; a firm devoted to the sale and export of Costa Rican fruit.

piñas_frucoriThe firm’s products, such as pineapples, Cavendish bananas, cassavas, papayas and mangoes, among others, are shipped from Costa Rica and its delegation in Spain to many European countries under the brand BRIBRI FRUITS.

A particularity of Spain’s pineapple market is that the fruit is perceived as a product for special occasions and festivities, such as Christmas. “This is something we would like to change, as we believe pineapples should be consumed daily. It is a very healthy fruit, and we are convinced that as consumers begin to realise this, they will consume it just like any other fruit. According to Kent, fruit consumption is already being promoted amongst children, but there is still a lot to do. “They should eat more fruit and fewer processed bakery products.”

Regarding cassavas, Costa Rica’s production is not very large and it is focused towards immigrants residing in Europe, “although their consumption is very low in Spain,” says Kent. “However, we export them to countries like the UK and Germany, where there are many more immigrants who consume them.”

The greatest difficulty that exotic fruit exporters face, according to Kent, are the high shipping costs, which makes the products expensive. “The shipping costs almost equal the value of the goods. The market would improve if shipping firms lowered their prices, as customers suffering the recession prefer cheaper products.”

The firm’s headquarters are located in San José, “which allows us to work directly with the fruit and supervise the entire process of production, quality control and shipping to international clients,” he affirms.

BriBrí’s name derives from one of Costa Rica’s largest ethnic groups, which has survived in harmony with nature for thousands of years. Despite the country’s deep changes, they have been able to keep their language and traditions, maintaining agriculture as their main activity.

The firm is also socially committed. It officially collaborates with Spain’s Esportus Foundation, which attempts to bring sport and culture closer to this ethnic group and to other countries with difficulties to access them.

“Our products go mainly to large wholesaler distributors; however, our long-term objective is to be able to supply large supermarket chains directly,” says Kent Miller. France and the UK are our main markets and we ship the cheaper, lower quality fruit to Eastern European countries, such as Romania, as that is what they request.”

BriBri Fruits will attend the upcoming Fruit Logistica 2013, to take place in Berlin between 6 and 8 February, although not under the company’s name. It will be represented at the stand of the Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce, where they will present their pineapples and conduct tastings.

From: Fresh Plaza

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Costa Rica to issue $1 Billion in Eurobonds in 2014

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Rico
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Costa Rica’s Banco Central (Central Bank) said on Thursday it will issue an additional US$1 billion in Eurobonds in 2014, on top of an expected issue of the same amount this year.

“We are considering that $1 billion dollars will be issued in the international markets this year and another US$1 billion next year”, Central Bank president Rodrigo Bolaños told a news conference.

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Costa Rican Researchers Pioneering ‘Aquatic Agriculture’

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Rico
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Costa Rican researchers are pioneering ‘aquatic agriculture’ — the method of growing crops on freshwater lakes and reservoirs — to boost food security in the developing world.

aquaticThe technique involves creating floating rafts on which vegetables, grains and flowers can be grown. Terrestrial crops such as grains and vegetables have their roots directly in the water or can be potted, with water being drawn up into their soil from the lake by capillary wicks, Ricardo Radulovich, a professor at the University of Costa Rica’s Department of Agricultural Engineering, explains. Aquatic crops are grown directly on the water.

The idea was developed by Radulovich and colleagues over several years. Last November, they received a CAD$100,000 (around US$100,000) grant from Grand Challenges Canada, a global health innovation agency funded by the Canadian government, to further their work.

Radulovich and his colleagues are currently carrying out prototype projects on Lake Arenal in Costa Rica and Lake Nicaragua in Nicaragua.

“Seventy per cent of the world’s available water is used for irrigation,” Radulovich tells SciDev.Net. He says there are fears that water supplies will run out because of rising demand. In addition, climate change is increasing uncertainty over rainy seasons and higher temperatures mean that crops need more water, he says.

Using lake water can avoid the wastage that results from traditional irrigation, Radulovich says.

Sustainable use of all the world’s freshwater resources could double the current capacity of food production without requiring more irrigation water, he says.

Radulovich says the technique could be effective in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as Bangladesh, Bolivia, the Philippines and other nations with large lakes, whether they are natural or artificial ones that form behind hydroelectric dams.

Researchers in Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda have shown interest in developing aquatic agriculture projects in their countries, Radulovich says.

Lakes could also be used for animal aquaculture, especially to farm herbivorous fish and shrimps, further increasing their role in food production, he adds.

Mario Zúñiga Chaves from the School of Agricultural Engineering at the Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC), says that aquatic farming could solve many families’ economic problems in regions with a dry tropical climate.

One option, he says, is to build reservoirs to capture water in the rainy season and then use them to farm fish. “Similarly, these reservoirs can be used in the dry season to supply the water needs of crops and animals,” Zúñiga says.

From: Scidev.net

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Nosara Motocross Awakens Passion of Motorcyclists

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Rico
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By Marvin Castillo, Voice of Nosara

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The improvised motocross track at the Nosara Fiestas was completely full with hundreds of motorcycle fans on Sunday, January 27 for the second date of Guanacaste’s regional motocross championship.

Forty competitors from different parts of Nicoya and Santa Cruz gave a grand show. Without a doubt the most anticipated part of these competitions are the expert-category street races. These audacious and intrepid drivers ride at incredible speeds and make spectacular jumps that leave your skin cold.

The most expert young riders have the most powerful motorcycles, in general 450cc.  They are very modern machines and should be in excellent condition to endure the demands of their drivers.  In addition, the riders should have the latest protective gear.

Another category that excites and captivates the audience is the children’s category. On their 50cc motorcycles, they look as capable and daring as the older riders.

At around 11 a.m., the competition opened with the experts category, everyone ready at the starting lineup. Among them was Brainer Rojas, competitor from Nosara, who started off and right in the first curve wound up in a violent crash with another competitor.  Both motorcycles landed on top of the motorcyclists, and the one who caught the brunt of it was Brainer. He suffered a back injury.  Even so, with the pain reflected on his face and completely covered in mud, he picked up his motorcycle and took off in search of his rivals.

In the end, it was impossible for him to hunt them down since he had lost almost two laps in the fall; however he managed to earn 40 points on the general board and is now ranked 9th in the tournament.
Another Nosaran who stood out on Sunday was Luis Saiden Lopez, who took two hits in the pre-experts category.  On his Honda CR125, he showed his great ability as a racer.  Luis has a very unique style at the stops, turning his motorcycle in a pirouette that not just anyone would dare to execute.

The organization lacked many classic details for this type of events, such as narration and music that add a lot more flavor to the spectacle, but in everything else, and despite the fact that the track didn’t offer the best conditions either, all of the spectators were excited and enjoyed the show.

The public paid attention during the entire competition, which ended around 2:30 p.m.  Everyone who attended paid 3000 colones ($6) for admission, and they all agreed that attending was worth it since the day, in spite of the usual January heat, was rather nice.  The breeze made the morning more pleasant, and between the dust, mud and powerful motorcycles, the crowd was thrilled.

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Duty Free Shops At Costa Rica Airports Rejuvenated

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Rico
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ADBAB45D526D96CF416302D107CA5This year, the aDuty Free shops at the airports, Juan Santamaría in Alajuela (San José) and the Daniel Oduber in Guanacaste, will get a face lift and a new slogan “Compras con responsabilidad social” (Shopping with social responsibility).

The changes began last year with the renovation and opening of the shop near the baggage area of the Juan Santamaría.

According to Geovany Flores, general manager of the shops, the old shop sold only liquor and the size limited the sale of other items. The new shops will be four times larger and will include electronics, perfumes, beauty products and more.

In total there will be three Duty Free shops at the San José airport.

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The Tax Man Cometh, A Recycled Tax Plan

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Rico
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Q review says, “If you liked Part I, you will love Part II.”

Just when we all took a collective sigh of relief, another Chinchilla tax plan is back on the table, so says the Minister of Finance, Edgar Ayales.

Qtaxes-420What is different the second time around is that we have more of a “Fiscal” plan than simply raising taxes. That translates, according to the Minister, to a reduction in federal government expenditures as well as a more concerted effort to collect those taxes owed by deadbeats. (Now if only the CAJA, public healthcare institution could get on the collection train.)

As with most things in Paradise, what starts out simple becomes complicated to unintelligible. That is my number one fear and my prognosis.

The second is that while raising taxes on the public is an absolute formula, the reduction in costs of government is not and never has been. The costs are “whatever”; the most hated word in the English language.

According to El Financiero, the new tax burden of the country would be 15.5% of GDP which when factoring in our typical social charges comes to 19% of the GDP.

For the most part, this all remains skeletal and again as a Paradise custom, nothing is specific nor is any this writing.
Apparently the intended proposal in text form will be available in May of June of this year while seeking Assembly approval in May 2014. Just in time for the next president to “bite the bullet.”

What seems to be the anchor of this movement is the resurgence of the VAT tax system, reducing state expenditures by 1% while increasing revenues by 2%.

“The short-term cyclical measures we have been taking for several years to alleviate the fiscal situation is exhausted. There is very little room to do more,” said the Minister as quoted by El Financiero.

The thought process that seems to be missing in all this is that over last twelve or so months, taxes have, in fact, gone up. Residents and citizens alike pay more for the marchamo tax, water, electricity, corporate, real estate, vehicle and real estate transfers, public transportation and my favorite, gasoline have all increased and along with it the tax money collected.

As the old “dicho” says, “Ten percent of nothing g is nothing.” Truer words have never been uttered. However, 10% of an increase in prices is something, and we have consistently been hit with that.

Put that together with the steady devaluation of foreign currency + plus the $5 billion in foreign borrowings and we have the formula for collapse.

This story is being carried by most Costa Rican news outlets and many foreign press releases. Why then, knowing the tax zombie still exists in the hearts and minds of this government would anyone wish to invest in this country?

“Yes,” almost immediately the politicians and industry have gulped on their lattés and declared “No way Jose!” But we have heard that before.  Besides, when this all comes to a vote, this assembly has nothing to lose. They can only serve a single term in office and that will be history in 2014.

The next person, right now either Johnny Araya or Epsy Cambell will face the backlash.

Araya said, “…this will be the opportune time to discuss issues facing the people,” and then a chance for the politicos of Costa Rica to be transparent.

The issue, the very challenge of transparency among our professional bureaucrats who can hide a dozen elephants under a single umbrella with trivial blah, blah numbers is indeed hard to fathom. Seeking reality has been tried by the best only to come with, “Who knows?” as in La Trocha.

“Just how bad off are we asks Q?”

Source:  Minister of Finance – Edgar Ayales, El Financiero, CRHoy.com and La Nación

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Corporations Tax Due Today!

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Rico
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Today, January 31, is the last day to pay the “corporations tax”. And according to the Registro Nacional, only some 100.000 have paid been paid, leaving more than 500.000 still to pay.

Starting tomorrow, interest and penalty charges start to add. In addition, the Registro will not provide certifications for corporations with outstanding tax.

All “active” corporations are required to pay a tax of ¢189.700 colones (US$383) and “inactive” one half of that. All corporations are deemed active unless the necessary filing is made to make it inactive.

Last year only 220.414 corporations had their tax paid.

If the tax goes unpaid for three consecutive years, the Registro can take action to have the company cancelled. Based on records, more than half of all corporations could be cancelled in 2014.

To cancel a corporations voluntarily the legal costs are around ¢120.000 colones.

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Woman is in delicate condition for apparent fat injection in her buttocks

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Rico
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0

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A woman, whose identity has not been revealed, is in delicate condition in hospital at San Juan de Dios, due to a apparent botched cosmetic procedure to inject fat into the buttocks.

This is the second woman in the last months to complain of

Joaquin Sanchez Caballero, head of the Medical Unit of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the hospital, told the press that they have treating a woman since last Saturday. The medical doctor explained that more than 960 cc of pus was found in that part of he buttocks and her right leg.

Caballero said that the patient is unstable and there is hope of the patient responding to treatment, to the contrary the changes of survival decrease.

The doctor added that lately there have been several cases of people with complications following undergoing plastic surgery procedures at private clinics.

Health officials confirm that, in addition to the San Juan de Dios, there have been cases reported at the Hospital Mexico, the Calderón Guardia and the hospital in Perez Zeledon.

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Fuel Carriers Fear Shortage Due To Expired Permits

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Rico
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A gasoline shortage could be a reality in the coming days due to the number of trucks – or lack thereof – authorized to transport fuel.

The permits expire today and carriers have expressed a serious concern about shortages unless the Ministerio de Ambiente (MINAET) -Ministry of the Environment – moves quicker in renewing permits.

The Dirección de Hidrocarburos of the MINAET still has 750 permit renewals to process on applications made by carriers since July 2012.

The ministry had promised to process 40 requests a day since the beginning of this month, but so far has only approved permits for 320 trucks.

Environment minister, René Castro, is expected to make an announcement at press conference today (Thursday).

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Escazú Home Invasion Headed By Former Cop

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Rico
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All five assailants of a home invasion in Escazú on Wednesday, including a former municipal police officer, are in custody. The Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ confirmed the detentions.

Wednesday afternoon police responded to a home alarm when the assailants forced their way in the home.

The couple inside were able to get out unhurt and two of the assailants caught at the scene due to the fast response by the Policia Municipal de Escazú. The other three caught hours later.

During the investigation police learned that one of the assailants was once one of them, a police official identified as a Calero, who is under suspension for more than six months. Investigators also learned the home is that of Calero’s former employer years back.

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Water Rationing Of San José Confirmed

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Rico
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The Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA) – water and sewer utility – expects more than 325.000 to be affected by the water rationing that will be in place in different parts of the Gran Área Metropolitana (GAM) – Greater San José area.

Santa Ana, Escazú and Alajuelita will be the areas most affected with no water in the taps more more than 12 hours a day, other areas will be without water 6 to 12 hours.

According to the weather forecast of the  Instituto de Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) – National Meteorological Institute – the dry conditions will continue in February. For March dry season conditions will continue, though with some isolated showers in the Central Valley.

The Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (Aresep) – government regulating body – is proposing an emergency rate plan to avoid wastage of water during the dry season.

Water rationing map:

  • Red more than 12 hours
  • Blue up to 12 hours
  • Green from 6 to 12 hours

 

 

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QWappa Daily

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Immigration Director To Be Back At Work Following Forced Vacation

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Rico
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The director of Migración y Extranjería (immigration service), Katia Rodríguez, will be back on the job on Friday following a forced two month vacation

In December, Security minister, Mario Zamora, sent Rodríguez on vacation, fueling rumours of a replacement.

On Tuesday, Marcela Chacón, viceministra de Gobernación, confirmed that the immigration director would be at work and that any replacement would be when the minister decides.

Rodríguez, on her way out in December, said it was strange that she was being asked to take a vacation during one of the busiest periods of the immigration service, alluding that she was probably going to be replaced. “Due to some tough decisions I have taken I have few friends in the department”, Rodríguez told the press two months ago.

In the meantine Freddy Montero, the subdirector de Migración, has been overseeing the department.

Source: AmeliaRueda.com

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Costa Rica To Promote Use of Electric Taxis

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Rico
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electric taxisTwo hundred taxi drivers will be able to exchange their old taxis for new electric vehicles under a new “Green Taxi” initiative in Costa Rica.

The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAET) signed an agreement with the local representative of the BYD car company which has already supplied green taxis in China and Colombia.

Participating drivers can make $1,000 monthly payments to purchase the vehicles and will not have to pay the import tax.

A poll conducted by the Centro Internacional de Política Económica (Cinpe) of 667 taxi drivers revealed that 72% are open to the idea of using non-traditional fueled vehicles.

The purchase of the new taxis can be made without a down payment and financed at US$1.000 monthly. René Castro, minister of the environment, said he had talks with representatives of the taxi unions to define the terms and benefits of the program.

Recharging stations have to be built to meet the demand.

Source: El Financiero

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UAE To Finance Electric Program in Costa Rica

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Rico
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photo_nota_1358457861The United Arab Emirates will finance a Costa Rican program to achieve 100% electricity service across the country through small scale renewable energy.

In Costa Rica there are still approximately 28,000 families without access to energy.

This new program will allow the Costa Rican Electricity Institute and local cooperative to provide these families with access to modern energy services. The project will cost between $50 to $70 million, and will install mini hydro, wind and solar systems.

Source: El Financiero

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Turtle Deaths Caused By Getting Caught In Fishing Gear

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Rico
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Preliminary reports from scientific and environmental organizations show that the recent death of 280 sea turtles in the Golfo Dulce is likely caused by the turtles getting caught in fishing gear.

240113palangreLocal fishing groups and NGOs have called on the government to quickly determine the cause of the turtle mortalities and take the necessary precautions to remedy the situation and protect the region’s marine resources.

These groups have repeatedly alerted authorities about the presence of long-line fishing boats within and in close proximity to the Golfo Dulce Responsible Fishing Marine Area where such practices are prohibited. Local communities are also alarmed that the presence of so many turtle carcasses could create a health risk to residents.

Source: El Pais

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Costa Rica Plans To Raise Tax Take, Cut Deficit

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(Reuters) – Costa Rica’s government will submit to lawmakers in 2014 a fiscal reform bill to boost consumption taxes and cut the deficit as it seeks to tap global debt markets, the country’s finance minister said on Tuesday.

Presidenta Laura Chinchilla’s administration will ask lawmakers to scrap the country’s sales tax and replace it with a higher-rate value-added tax (VAT), Finance Minister Edgar Ayales said on Tuesday.

Ayales said the bill, which he thinks can be approved before Chinchilla’s term ends in May 2014, would seek to cut the country’s fiscal deficit from recent levels around 5 percent of gross domestic product to a 2 percent target by 2018.

“The objective is to reduce the deficit by three (percentage) points, but this cannot just be on the income side. It also has to have a spending component, which has not been in previous reforms,” Ayales said.

The bill would seek to replace the current 13 percent sales tax with a VAT tax of 14 percent to 15 percent, Ayales said.

Costa Rica, a coffee exporter and top tourist destination in Central America, has been trying to clean up its books as it plans to issue US$1 billion in Eurobonds in May or June.

With one of the highest fiscal deficits in Latin America, Costa Rica has had to go to international debt markets to finance spending, which has increased every year by about 10 percent over the last seven years.

A previous attempt to overhaul the tax code was killed last April, when a panel of judges in the Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional in a major blow to one of the Chinchilla administration’s top priorities.

“Costa Rica has never passed a fiscal reform as one package of measures and certainly nothing like Ayales is envisioning right now,” said Alberto Franco, who led the country’s central bank 20 years ago and has advised other administrations.

He says a new, higher VAT will be very unpopular. “It’s possible that it’s unnecessary to raise the rate if you broaden the base”, he added.

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Only in Costa Rica! (Photos)

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The photo were posted on Facebook. Enjoy!

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Cows take advantage of the bike path in Cartago.

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Best to run the hose under the tracks!

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More than Six Years Later Escazú Gas Station Fire Goes To Trial

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It’s been more than six years since the entire country looked on in horror as a gasoline station in the centre of Escazú burned and with it two children trapped in their mother’s vehicle.

The accident occurred on October 28, 2006.

Since, Shell – who sold out its gasoline stations in Costa Rica – settled with the family of the minors, however, not with the others affected by the tragic accident.

On Monday (yesterday) the Tribunales de Pavas opened its first day in the trial against gas attendant Gerardo Quirós Delgado in a trial that is scheduled to last two months. In addition, taking part in the trial is the owner of the property, two of the people injured in the accident and the Ministerio Publico charged with “desastre culposo” (public disaster), which is punishable with up to several years in prison.

However, the trial may come at quick end today following a petition by the defence attorney to review procedures which could lead to suspend the trial. The hearing is scheduled for 1:30pm when the court will have to decide whether or not to continue the trial.

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Gas Price Hike Around The Corner

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157388_gasIn the coming days we will all have to dig deeper into our pockets to fill the jalopy’s gas tank, as price increase will hit the pumps by the weekend.

This will be a whopping increase, ¢43 colones a litre for super, ¢35 for regular or plus and ¢8 for diesel.

The new prices will be: ¢718 (up from ¢675) for super; ¢678 (up from ¢643) for regular or plus; and, ¢640 (up from ¢632) for diesel. Prices of compressed natural gas, kerosene and jet fuels will also increase.

The increase will soon mean higher electrical prices as the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) has to hand over to the RECOPE (another state agency) more to purchase fuel to operate electricity generators.

ICE has already announced a revision of rates.

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MOPT Gets OK For Another Fix of The “Platina”

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“La Platina”, the bridge over the Virilla river on the autopista General Cañas is an example of the failure of the ministry of Transportation and Public Works (MOPT) to effectively carry out public works projects, the sorry state of repairs of bridges in the country and a government agency that just can’t seem to get anything right.

The crumbling concrete and exposed metal grate of the multimillion dollar repair job.
The crumbling concrete and exposed metal grate of the multimillion dollar repair job.

The Platina has undergone several repair attempts over the last several years, costing millions of dollars and the life of one worker.

MOPT minister, Pedro Castro, on Monday announced that work on the next attempt to repair the bridge will begin in March, following authorization by the Contraloría General de la Republica (CGR) – Comptroller’s office – to award contracts.

The CGR authorized the approval of three contracts: one to a company to carry out the work, a second to a supervisor body and a third to an inspector for the work.

Castro said that having three levels of responsibility will avoid problems in getting the job done. Five companies are expected to called in to bid on the job(s) that is expected tobbe completed by end of the 2013.

It’s been four years since the first sign of problems on the bridge, when a 10 centimeter (4 inch) gap between the one of the spans was noticed.

The MOPT got busy on repairing the problem. But the repair job lasted less than 2 days, when the material used for the patch began to crack.

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Months later a second attempt was made, using a different type of material supposedly specific to the problem. That repair job last only several hours this time, breaking up by noon following the road was re-opening to traffic in the early morning hours.

Months would pass before another attempt was made.  Third if you are keeping count. This time, millions of dollars and interruption of traffic for months included work to replace the deck on both sides of the bridge and the installation of a concrete median and retaining wall and a metal mesh guardrail.  (The mesh saved the lives of three in a accident on Saturday, when their vehicle flipped and was stopped from dropping hundreds of feet to the rocky river below. See story.)

During the progress of the third attempt to repair the bridge one worker was run down by a drunk driver and another injured.

The media's lighter look at the Virilla repair.
The media’s lighter look at the Virilla repair.

Within days of the “completion”, the concrete surface began to crumble and the metal grate exposed. Over the following weeks larger sections of concrete broke up, in effect causing more problems for drivers than the original gap.

Patches of concrete and asphalt covered up the exposed steel grate and crumbled concrete. This could be called a fourth attempt, but not really since it was a patch and not officially a fix.

Meanwhile the finger pointing began to lay the blame, causing the contractor to pull stakes and abandon the project altogether.

The MOPT – and the people – were left footing the an expensive repair job and with a bridge that was no better than before the problems started.

Yes, the bridges looks newer, but that is mere cosmetics to what is really needed, the bridge taken down and a new one put up.

There are plans for that, but due to financial constraints and problems with a ministry that has been mired in corruption and scandals, like the Trocha, it may be a decade or two or more before work on a new bridge will start.

In the meantime the Virilla is just another chapter on the “chorizeros” (Spanish for corruption) goings on at the MOPT. Will this repair of the Virilla carry on with the tradition?

The answer of bringing in a contractor, a supervisor and inspector sounds good. But who will supervise the inspector and the supervisor of the inspector that supervises the supervisor of the supervisor of the inspector of the supervisor of the contractor…

Sadly to say, this will probably be another “chorizo” job. And all sanctioned by the Comptroller’s office and Casa Presidencial.

Viva el Virilla!

The first muddled repair back in August 2009.
The first muddled repair back in August 2009.
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Doctors Recommend Flu Vaccination

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The start of the school year is around the corner and Costa Rica’s Health professionals advise parents to vaccinate their children before sending them to classes.

The risk of infection and spread of influenza increases with the start of the school year and close contact among children, who are th emain spreaders of the virus.

To this, we must add that this is the peak of transmission during the first months of the year.

The flu, known in Costa Rica as “quiebrahuesos”, is the leading cause of absenteeism from school, according to Hospital Nacional de Niños (Childre’s Hospital) pediatrician, Carlos Jiménez.

Last month, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) or Caja launched a vaccination campaign against the flu virus. Targeted by the campaign are children, pregnant women an seniors, the obese and persons with diabetes, asthma, severe lung and heart problems.

Jimenez stressed that although this campaign focuses on children with no risk factors, the vaccine can be purchased at most pharmacies nationwide.

The doctor also warned not apply to children under 6 months and recommended that the entire family get vaccinated.

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Telecoms Must Block Telemarketing Calls at Customer Request

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Those annoying and pesky telemarketing calls may be a thing of the past in Costa Rica.

Offers for credit cards and vacation plans are part of telemarketers who either work off a list of some type or just make cold calls, usually at unupportune time, like sitting down with the family for dinner

The spokesperson for the Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (Sutel), Eduardo Castellón, explained that to eliminate such calls as you have to do is call your phone company have them stop the calls.

Castellón further explained that many calls come from call centres which carrier can easily block your number from their calling system. However, for calls from smaller operators, the carrier has to take the required steps to assure you don’t receive such calls.

If a call comes from a private number (even blocked, as most are), Castellón recommends noting the exact time and date of the call, as operators have the ability to identify the caller and block it.

In most cases, calling the call centre or caller first and ask to be taken off their calling list is the best action. But if the calls persist, the Sutel – the government telecommunications watchbog – is there to ensure that telephone operators heed to customer requests.

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Costa Rican birds pay small price for art

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Distressed and hopelessly tangled, these birds look like the poster children for some environmental tragedy of our own making. In reality, they are the face of modern ornithology.

birds--article-600pxTodd Forsgren, a photographer based in Baltimore, Maryland, is fascinated by the long and intertwined history of birds and art. The two meet in the mist nets researchers use to trap Costa Rica’s wild birds, which cause a short-lived, slight shock but no injury.

The Montezuma oropendola (left) and boat-billed flycatcher (right) caught here are moments from being freed.

“I hope as people learn more about the moderately traumatic process of mist net trapping, they will see the images as beautiful,” says Forsgren.

Earlier generations of birds have paid a higher price in the name of art. Forsgren draws inspiration from the lifelike paintings that feature in John James Audubon’s famous 19th-century monograph The Birds of America, which is among the most valuable of all printed books. But their lifelike poses are deceiving: Audubon shot and mounted his birds before painting them.

A century later, bird art was at the forefront of the new environmental movement. Artist and ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson used photographs to paint an early field guide to the birds of North America. Because of people like him, binoculars, not shotguns, became the ornithologist’s primary tool.

Today, through advances in technology, it is radio transmitters that are cracking the remaining mysteries of bird ecology. That’s where the mist nets come in, offering an easy and safe way to catch birds so that the transmitters can be fitted. “My photographs are about our world progressing, and moving forwards in some direction,” says Forsgren.

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