Weekly review

President lost his voice

The President of Costa Rica Oscar Arias traveled to the United States in order to receive special treatment on his vocal cords, the Presidential Press Office disclosed. Dr. Arias, 68, has been on sick leave since May 12, when an acute problem made him lose his voice. The official release was very brief and did not provide any details on the President’s ailment. His spokesperson Michelle Mitchell argued that it is a “private” trip in order to get medical treatment and that “out of respect for the President’s privacy,” it was decided not to disclose where he will be treated. However, it was later disclosed that the President was treated in Philadelphia and that he was diagnosed with a benign cyst on his vocal cords. Apparently, he will not undergo surgery, but has to abstain from speaking for four weeks. Vice-President Laura Chinchilla is the acting President of Costa Rica.

Safe surgery

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Costa Rica became the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean whose operating rooms incorporate a list of procedures to lower adverse events from surgery, such as infections and bleeding not linked to the patient’s ailment. These procedures are already operative at hospitals in the United States, Canada, France, Germany and Space. Promoted by the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization, the strategy fits perfectly within the Costa Rican National Program for the Safety of Patients.

Guerrilla contacts

The guerrillas which identify themselves as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC in Spanish) had extensive contacts in Costa Rica, according to the information found in the computers belonging to Raul Reyes, the FARC number two, who was killed last March 1st by the Colombian army in a raid of a camp within Ecuador. Several politicians mentioned by the guerrillas, including former President Rodrigo Carazo and current congressman Jose Merino, claim that their participation has been solely on the grounds of promoting peace, but nothing else.

Seven million trees

Costa Rica has launched a program to plant 7 million trees this year. A nationwide campaign is aimed at mitigating global warming. The idea is not only that the people join in planting the trees, but that they also care for them. Last year, at least 2 million trees were planted in Costa Rica, according to official sources.

Gourmet coffee

In the international electronic coffee auction known as “The Cup of Excellence”, buyers from Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States paid up to $1,510 per a 100-pound bag of coffee grown in Costa Rica. Even the lowest price paid, $465, surpasses by far the $137 that the product gets at the New York Stock Exchange. The auction is sponsored by the Alliance for Coffee Excellence, a non-profit organization with headquarters in the United States which focuses on improving the quality of coffee around the world.

Potatoes

After years of research at the National Institute for Innovation and Transference of Agricultural Technology (INTA in Spanish), Costa Rican farmers received the seeds of five varieties of potatoes which are highly resistant to several pests, while enjoying high agronomical qualities , as well as excellent features regarding nutrition, marketing and cooking. Farmer Marcel Arrieta pointed out that the potatoes harvested in one experimental plot confirmed and surpassed expectations, particularly in relation to acceptance by consumers.

Europe to Liberia

The Costa Rican Board of Tourism (ICT in Spanish) is negotiating the arrival of more flights from Europe to Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste. Currently, only the British First Choice links London and Liberia. According to Minister of Tourism Carlos Benavides, the goal is to attract airlines from the major European markets for Costa Rican tourism, Germany, Spain, England, and France. Twelve international carriers currently fly to Liberia. Delta, Continental, American and US Airways operate 90 percent of the flights.

Spears at Barrigona

Troubled pop star Britney Spears holidayed in Costa Rica. She stayed at actor Mel Gibson’s home in Guanacaste, on the Costa Rican northwest Pacific, near Barrigona Beach, where the singer was photographed while enjoying the sea and the sun. Ironically, “barrigona” means “pot-bellied woman”.