Members of the ruling Sandinista Front party, on Tuesday approved the final vote on constitutional reforms that would allow President Daniel Ortega to run for re-election indefinitely. The reforms, which were approved in a first vote in December 2013, were endorsed with 64 votes in favor, 25 against with no abstentions, at a session of […]
Fed meeting key to cost of dollar in Costa Rica
Experts predict that a decision today before Ben Bernanke, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), will be key to exchange rates in Costa Rica. Should the Fed continue with a moderate reduction of the U.S. economic stimulus it is expected that the dollar (USD) will rise in Costa Rica, relative to the colon (CRC). […]
Tourism sector qualifies alcohol prohibition as absurd
National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur) is saying that the implementation of the dry law or ban on alcohol sales for the upcoming election is absurd. In particular, hotel and restaurant owners are upset that some municipalities waited until the last minute to announce bans for the election on Sunday, February 2nd. The timing precludes events […]
Four years after opening, Caldera highway remains unfinished
Opened on January 27, 2010, by then President Oscar Arias, the highway to Caldera remains unfinished. According to the Comptroller, Section II of the highway, between Ciudad Colón and Orotina is incomplete. The concessionaire, Autopistas del Sol attributes the situation to an inability to expropriate needed land. Attorney Bernal Gamboa, who represents the state says […]
Taxes on cigarettes pays for medical equipment
Under a five year plan, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) is using proceeds from a tax on cigarettes to fund the purchase of medical equipment. In particular, the equipment will be used to support cardiology, and counter the effects of tobacco use. In 2013 between January and November, the treasury collected a total […]
High court reprimands judge for ordering unreasonable support payments
The Constitutional Court has reprimanded a judge in the Child Support court of Hatillo, for ordering a child support payments that exceed reasonable amounts. The case in question deals with a messenger, who was ordered to make a provisional monthly payment of ¢150,000 ($300), despite earning ¢270,000 ($540) per month before taxes. The court said […]