Planet Observation
The Planetarium of the University of Costa Rica opens its doors to observe Saturn and its moon Titan with its telescopes for free, 6-9:30 p.m., UCR campus. Call 202-6302.

Free Chilean film
“En la Cama,” drama, 7 p.m., Chilean Cultural Center , Los Yoses, 250 m. south of Automercado. 

Jazz jam session
Jazz Café, San Pedro, 10 p.m., www.jazzcafecostarica.com.

Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno called for dialogue yesterday to cool tensions over a Colombian air strike in Ecuadorian territory that killed Raul Reyes, the No. 2 leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC).

As Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa and his ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, mobilized troops toward their borders with Colombia, Stagno called for “prudence and…a peaceful solution to the controversy.”

A Foreign Ministry statement warned against the “internationalization of a delicate affair that is primarily bilateral.” President Oscar Arias, who spoke by phone over the weekend with Correa and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, described the conflict as being between Ecuador and Colombia, implying that Chávez should not meddle.

“Latin America faces too many challenges to engage in military conflict now,” Arias said in a statement.

As Ecuador broke diplomatic ties with its northern neighbor, Colombian authorities said they found documents on Reyes' computer showing that Venezuela paid the guerrillas at least $300 million. The Organization of American States will hold an emergency meeting today on the conflict.

Reyes lived in Costa Rica in 1998 and met with Arias in the late 1990s to discuss the Colombian peace process, according to the daily Al Día.

Costa Rica could eventually play a role in conflict mediation from its perch on the United Nations Security Council.

After 100 deaths in February, the Costa Rican Red Cross is asking people to be careful. The only other months that reached or exceeded the century mark were March and October 2007.

“This is the most violent February in the last eight years,” a press release states. “This increase in death worries the Red Cross and we are renewing our call the public to be careful and take precautionary measures on the roads and at the beaches because these areas constantly generate accidents.”

In February, fatalities from car accidents, including hit-and-runs, topped the list (39), shootings and stabbings came in second (25), and drownings rounded out the top three (16).

San José province leads the country in violent deaths and the principal cause of death is car accidents.

Spanish-American pop-star Enrique Iglesias is the latest big name act to sign up for the Festival Imperial.

Tickets are now on sale for the event, to be held at La Guacima de Alajuela on Saturday and Sunday April 19-20.

The son of legendary Spanish singer Julio Iglesias, the singer has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. He is also currently at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart with the single “ Dónde Están Corazón,” from his latest album, “Insomniac.” Talking of the album, the star said, “ I gave myself completely into the making of this one record – heart and soul.”

The concert will also coincide with the release of a new greatest hits CD, which will go on sale on March 25.

Iglesias will headline the second day of the festival, along with British 1980s pop icons Duran Duran. Tico group Porpartes are also on the bill for Sunday.

American alternative rock groups The Smashing Pumpkins and Incubus are confirmed to play on the first day of the festival along with homegrown band Le*Pop.

“We are absolutely delighted to have a lineup of absolutely top international bands, really iconic groups,” Carlos Cañas, CEO of Imperial, told The Tico Times.

In addition to Iglesias, a spokeswoman confirmed, two other international acts will be added to the bill, with an announcement expected soon.

Tickets for the festival are on sale through selected Mas X Menos, Hipermás and Maxibodegas supermarkets, at Vértigo stores and branches of Aval-Banco Uno. Alternatively, buy online through www.specialticket.net and www.festivalimperial.co.cr or call 206-7896.

Tickets cost ¢10,000 ($20) for the general area, ¢18,000 ($36) for the preferential section near the stage, ¢30,000 ($60) for the gallery and ¢18,000 ($36) for the stands.