No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveChinchilla inaugurates contentious road next to Nicaragua border

Chinchilla inaugurates contentious road next to Nicaragua border

President Laura Chinchilla traveled to the Río San Juan, which forms the border with Nicaragua, Friday to inaugurate the contentious road her government constructed parallel to the river.

Chinchilla, who traveled with a cohort of ministers and members of the press, declared construction of the 160-kilometer road a national emergency last year, drawing criticism from environmentalists on both sides of the river. The new route – Route 1856 Juan Rafael Mora Porras – is named after the three-time Costa Rican president whose army stopped William Walker’s North American invasion of Central America in 1856 by capturing the Río San Juan.

“How beautiful would it be if we reach an agreement and make this a region of progress and prosperity as much on the north side of the Río San Juan as on the south side of the Río San Juan,” Chinchilla said at the inauguration of a new school built at the road’s starting point near Isla Calero – the island in the Río San Juan that Nicaragua sent troops to occupy in January 2011.

The president inaugurated two other schools along the road that will stretch from Isla Calero to the border town of Los Chiles when completed. The former schools were cramped and dilapidated buildings. Officials estimate completion will take approximately three months. Despite environmental concerns, the president said the route will bring development to the area and help some 2,500 families.

See Friday’s upcoming edition of The Tico Times for the full story.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s Massive Drug Raid Targets Cocaine Network to Europe

Costa Rican authorities struck a major blow against international drug trafficking dismantling a criminal network that smuggled over five tons of cocaine to Europe....

Costa Rica Faces Growing Arms Trafficking Crisis

On Thursday, the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) made headlines by seizing 56 weapons in La Guácima de Alajuela, marking the largest arms seizure in...

Costa Rica’s Investment Appeal Fades Amid Social and Environmental Challenges

Costa Rica’s reputation as a prime destination for foreign investment is under threat, according to a new study from the University of Costa Rica...

Canada’s Latest Costa Rica Travel Advisory Update

The Canadian government rolled out a fresh travel advisory for Costa Rica, urging travelers to stay sharp due to rising crime and natural risks....

Costa Rica’s Tourism Minister Dismisses Crime and Currency Concerns

Tourism Minister William Rodríguez López addressed growing concerns about crime and the strengthening colón’s impact on Costa Rica’s tourism industry, asserting that these issues...

Costa Rica Debates Sustainable Redevelopment of Crucitas Region

The Frente Amplio party has introduced a bold new bill in Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly aimed at transforming Crucitas, an area historically associated with...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica