The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, July 3, 2003

SAINTLY ENDEAVOR: Representatives of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Voodoo (Arena Football) taught Tico kids to play 'American' Football yesterday at the National Stadium. Story in tomorrow's TT print edition.
TT/ Julio Lainez

389 Illegal Immigrants Deported
During First Half of Year
During the first half of 2003, Immigration deported 389 illegal immigrants and stopped 17,723 people at the border, Public Security Minister Rogelio Ramos announced Tuesday.
(Click for more)

Tico Coffee Promoted in Japan
Costa Rica's campaign to promote Tico coffee and tourism in Japan is percolating into its third month with photos, books, music, and -- most importantly -- java.
(Click for more)

C.R. Hopes to Strengthen
Ties with Latvia
Latvian Assistant Secretary of State Peteris Vaivars arrived in Costa Rica yesterday for two days of bilateral meetings focusing on trade and human rights, according to a Foreign Ministry press release.
(Click for more)

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July 3

Celestian Tunes in Alajuela
Puerto Rican singer Doris Machin is in Costa Rica and all her fans are welcome to enjoy her music and conferences on Fri., July 4 at 7 p.m.; Sat., July 5 at 5 and 7 p.m. and Sun., July 6 at 7 p.m. Go to Iglesia Miel, 300 m., north, 100 m. west of the emergency door of the Alajuela Hospital. Info: 442-9764, 385-2459.

De Voz a Vos
Four of the best musicians in the country get together to perform the show "From Voice to You." Adrián Goizueta, Miguel Cabrera, Esteban Monge and María Pretiz are singing together and interpreting also some of their individual hits. Tonight at 8:30 p.m., at Salamandra, Kilates Complex, Tibás. Info: 245-0658, 370-3948.

Corn Fair
A year-old group of organic farmers (some from Turrialba, Coronado, Zarcero and Acosta) on July 5 will be celebrating El Día del Maíz (Corn Day) and they will give samples of food prepared with this product. Also, find several kinds of lettuce, cilantro, Chinese mustard, radishes, beets, carrots, tomatoes, oranges, potatoes, eggs, cheese, macrobiotic bread, pineapples, goldenberries, shallots, chives, onions, string beans, red beans, and many more products. San Cayetano Organic Fair is open on Saturdays 7 a.m.-noon, 350 m. south of Iglesia San Cayetano. It has a free parking lot behind the market.

389 Illegal Immigrants Deported
During First Half of Year
By Fabián Borges
Tico Times Staff

NICARAGUAN boys show how easy it is to sneak into Costa Rica.
TT/Julio Lainez

During the first half of 2003, Immigration deported 389 illegal immigrants and stopped 17,723 people at the border, Public Security Minister Rogelio Ramos announced Tuesday.

Of the 389 people deported, 280 were Nicaraguan, 49 Colombian and 19 of Chinese descent (Hong Kong and Taiwan). The vast majority of those turned back the border, nearly 97% (17,105), were Nicaraguan, followed by Panamanians (367) and Colombians (107).

This year's numbers were much lower than last year's, when a total of 4,610 were deported.

The drop was the result of a 75-day suspension in deportations following a charge of unconstitutionality filed last March against the "arbitrary detention, interrogation and deportation of undocumented aliens."

On March 14, the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Sala IV) ordered Immigration to stop all deportations and arbitrary document inspections while it studied the law. On May 28, the court voted to uphold the law, giving police a green light to continue the controversial roundups.

Following the ruling, Immigration Police began a series of operations in San José, Tamarindo, Quepos, Jacó, Limón, and Puerto Viejo aimed at locating, detaining and deporting illegal immigrants (TT Daily, June 6)

Last month alone, Immigration Police deported 101 foreigners, including 90 Nicaraguans and eight Colombians.

As part of the crackdown, police fined several hotels for failing to keep updated guest registries.

The Security Ministry has also stepped up intelligence gathering on "coyotes" -people paid to smuggle illegal immigrants across borders.

"A new bill sent to Congress by the government will establish prison sentences for coyotes and others involved in the illegal traffic of people," Ramos said. "These unscrupulous people who profit from others' suffering must be punished.

"Costa Rica's position as a destination country for immigrants makes it necessary to closely monitor the borders and keep track of everyone who enters the country, legally and illegally," he added. "To make up for lost time, we plan to continue organizing police operations in various parts of the country during the remainder of this year."

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Tico Coffee Promoted in Japan

TICO Coffee promoted in Japan

Costa Rica's campaign to promote Tico coffee and tourism in Japan is percolating into its third month with photos, books, music, and -- most importantly -- java.

The campaign, called "La Casa de Café de Costa Rica," began last May and will extend through December, according to a Foreign Ministry press release. Each month, coffee produced from different regions of the country is featured, and a special "Ambassador's blend" of Tico beans from around the country is also available.

Two decorated coffeehouses in Tokyo and Shinjuku allow Japanese consumers to sip a cup of Tico coffee while flipping through books promoting Costa Rican tourism and listening to national folkloric music. Tico coffee is also offered in 900 vending machines throughout the country, according to the release.

"The idea is to promote Costa Rican coffee and create new opportunities for our producers to learn about the likes and preferences of the Japanese consumers," said Ricardo Sequeira, Costa Rican Ambassador to Japan.

About 9% of all Costa Rican coffee exports -- $10.3 million -- are consumed by Japanese markets, according to the Costa Rican Coffee Institute (ICAFE).

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C.R. Hopes to Strengthen Ties with Latvia

Latvian Assistant Secretary of State Peteris Vaivars arrived in Costa Rica yesterday for two days of bilateral meetings focusing on trade and human rights, according to a Foreign Ministry press release.

Costa Rica said strengthening relations with the former Soviet satellite nation is important, in part, because next year it will become one of the newest members of the European Union. Central America is hoping to develop an eventual free-trade agreement with the EU (TT Daily Page, July 2).

Vaivars said Latvia, which is bookended by Russia and the Baltic Sea, is interested in bilateral efforts with Costa Rica to promote culture and tourism, in addition to trade.

Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marco Vinicio Vargas, said Costa Rica will name a non-resident ambassador to Latvia to continue working on strengthening bilateral relations.

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