Costa Rica | GlobalPost

Central America: hard waves but no tsunami after Chile earthquake

Alex LeffFebruary 27, 2010 13:57

SAN JOSE — Costa Rica has been spared from a possible tsunami that officials said could surge through the Pacific following this morning's 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile. The earthquake struck at 3:34 a.m. (6:34 GMT) 70 miles northeast of Concepcion, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and has killed at least 122 people. The death toll is expected to rise.

Costa Rica's left-right void

Alex Leff February 27, 2010 09:50Updated May 30, 2010 13:21

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — The streets were filled with colors: bold stripes of red and yellow, green and white, red and blue, or just plain red, each representing one of the plethora of Costa Rica's political parties. But in the end it was the green and white of the incumbent centrist party that prevailed in this month's presidential elections. There would be no political shakeup, no veering to the left, or surprising turns back to the right. There were hardly even political extremes in play.

Standard & Poor's sees stability in Costa Rica's Chinchilla

Alex LeffFebruary 15, 2010 11:48

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — In a vote of confidence to the newly elected president Laura Chinchilla, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said last week that the outlook on Costa Rica's long-term ratings remains stable. A Chinchilla administration is widely predicted to be four more years of the policies practiced by President Oscar Arias, which have been praised by the likes of the International Monetary Fund for helping to stave off a worse crisis during Costa Rica's first recession in decades. Put purely in S&P speak, here's what the press release said:

Costa Rica: A woman in charge?

Alex LeffFebruary 6, 2010 10:54Updated May 30, 2010 13:20

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Laura Chinchilla’s four-year To Do list: Reduce extreme poverty. End the energy monopoly. Tax the casinos to help fund the fight against crime. Chinchilla (pronounced chinchEEyuh) has consistently led in the polls and a victory in Sunday's elections would make her the country's first female president. She's currently teetering near the 40 percent mark — anything below that and a runoff is in order.

Otto: Not Che Guevara

Alex LeffJanuary 29, 2010 07:58Updated May 30, 2010 13:19

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Would a libertarian nationalize key industries and govern like Hugo Chavez? Apparently some Costa Ricans think so — and they just might vote for him. Libertarian candidate Otto Guevara has turned Costa Rica’s presidential election on its head, stunning opponents by surging into second place.

Costa Rica's wacky campaign commercials

Alex LeffJanuary 19, 2010 22:39

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Young pregnant women sing a Spanish-language spoof of the Little Peggy March classic “I Will Follow Him.” A man with a baby bib plays piano while another man, naked except for his diaper, dances to the lively tunes. It’s not just a skit for YouTube. This is the latest campaign commercial by the Costa Rican presidential candidate Luis Fishman.

Memories of harder times in Costa Rica

Alex LeffDecember 20, 2009 11:54Updated May 30, 2010 13:16

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Marta Gomez has served plenty of meals over the decades. When she was in her 20s, the single mother looked after her own daughter and son and the more than a dozen foreign exchange students who lived with them. When the crisis of the 1980s hit Costa Rica, feeding her full house wasn't so easy. "I had to do everything to keep up appearances so that the food was the same. That was very hard. I worked magic," said Gomez, now a doting grandmother at 58.

Votes at home don't translate to legitimacy abroad

Alex LeffDecember 9, 2009 23:55

The Costa Rican president's living room once again became a comfort zone for troubled Hondurans Tuesday. This time, Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo sought the counsel of President Oscar Arias after winning one of the region's most controversial presidential elections in recent history. Judging by the results of the Nov. 29 poll, Lobo won over most Hondurans and his opposition National Party will enjoy a majority in Congress. But winning votes, or even legitimacy, abroad has been another matter.

Costa Rica's Arias supports Honduran elections

Alex LeffNovember 27, 2009 17:55

Oscar Arias was the first head of state to call Manuel Zelaya's ouster a coup. Arias then volunteered to mediate between the exiled president and the de facto government, insisting that Honduras' road to reconciliation must be paved with Zelaya's restoration. But now, following the United States' lead, it appears Arias sees another way forward.

How much will US unemployment hurt in Central America?

Alex LeffNovember 19, 2009 23:45

Around the world, the early bells of a so-called end of the recession have been intoxicating. Mexico and Brazil are among the recent nations to proclaim themselves to have emerged from the depths of crisis.