A Personal Statement: Hundreds of people showed up at Parque de la Paz, east of San José, yesterday to form a human “No” as a symbol of their opposition to the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA).

An earthquake measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale rocked the provinces of San José and Cartago, east of San José, Friday, according to a statement from the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) at Universidad Nacional (UNA) in Heredia, north of San José.

Spanish Writing Workshop
By writer and poet Delia McDonald, today and Sept. 24, also Oct. 1-8, 6:30 p.m., Centro Cultural del Este, behind Guadalupe Cemetery. Info: 305-6074.

Art Exhibit
Photography by Andrea Ortiz, today through Oct. 17, Port City Java, Lindora Commercial Center, Pozos, Santa Ana. Info: 289-7610, 203-8211.

The government's Independence Day celebration in Cartago, east of San José, went off with no major complications Friday evening despite concerns the event could develop into a rowdy standoff between supporters and opponents of the controversial U.S. trade pact the country will vote on in a referendum next month.

President Oscar Arias seized the opportunity to call for those on both sides of the debate surrounding the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA) to show tolerance and mutual respect, according to a statement from Casa Presidencial.

“I assure you that at no moment in our history have we unanimously decided the direction in which we want to proceed. But we have always found a way to continue walking... with the peace and democracy that has characterized us for 186 years,” said the President, who walked with crutches to ease pressure on his right Achilles tendon. Doctors recently ordered him “complete repose” because of its severe inflammation (TT, Aug. 31).

As the President spoke, a group of about 100 anti-CAFTA protestors gathered nearby, shouting “Thief!” and calling for him to step down from office. Their chanting drew attention but didn't stop Arias from continuing.

A smaller, quieter group of CAFTA supporters gathered nearby, also holding signs stating their cause.

Costa Ricans around the country celebrated its independence Friday and Saturday with parades, music and faroles representing the torch that message bearers carried through Central America on Sept. 15, 1821 to spread the news that the region was no longer under Spanish rule.

-Tico Times

The Foreign Ministry regrettably reported Saturday that Honduran Ambassador to Costa Rica Marco Antonio Hepburn died from a heart attack Friday.

“It is a painful loss mourned by Central American diplomats. Costa Rica will always recognize the notable contribution of Ambassador Hepburn in strengthening relations between our countries,” said Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgar Ugalde, who attended Hepburn's funeral in Honduras Saturday, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

Hepburn was on his way to an Independence Day celebration Friday when he suffered a heart attack. He was taken to San Juan de Dios Hospital in San José, where he died at 4:40 p.m.

On Saturday, his body was flown by the Honduran government back to that country.

Hepburn had served as ambassador for a little longer than one year. During his career, he also worked as general manager of the Honduran National Port Company and auditor of the country's Comptroller General. He also acted as financial director of the World Health Organization in Washington D.C., the statement said.

-Tico Times

An earthquake measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale rocked the provinces of San José and Cartago, east of San José, Friday, according to a statement from the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) at Universidad Nacional (UNA) in Heredia, north of San José.

The quake occurred at 6:05 a.m. and originated five kilometers northwest of Santa María de Dota, in southern Costa Rica, 15 kilometers below the earth's surface.

On Sunday, the ground shook again with two earthquakes, the first of which occurred at 5:31 a.m. seven kilometers southwest of the central Pacific town of Parrita. It measured 3.7 on the Richter scale and was felt in the central Pacific and Central Valley.

A few hours later at 9:48 a.m., another quake originated from the same spot southwest of Parrita, measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale. It was also felt around the central Pacific and Central Valley.