No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCosta RicaMichigan fugitive John Saatio to be extradited Saturday

Michigan fugitive John Saatio to be extradited Saturday

After escaping from authorities on two separate occasions, U.S. fugitive John Wesley Saatio won’t have a third chance to run free in Costa Rica.

Costa Rican Security Minister Gustavo Mata announced that Saatio will be extradited Saturday when authorities will put him on a commercial flight out of Juan Santamaría International Airport accompanied by U.S. Marshals.

Saatio was recaptured Tuesday in Desamparados, south of San José, after escaping through a ventilation duct in the immigration detention center in Hatillo where he had been held since June 3.

The 35-year-old fugitive from Michigan was initially aprehended by police in the popular Central Pacific beach town of Jacó earlier this month on an order from Interpol. Saatio faces a lengthy prison sentence in the U.S. for charges of home invasion, destruction of police property, and violating probation.

He escaped last year while police were transporting him to jail after his arraignment in Houghton, Michigan.

Trending Now

Another Tropical Wave Arrives as Costa Rica School Closures Rise Again

When will it end? Costa Rica’s recovery from this month’s flooding suffered a setback today as the number of schools without in-person classes rose...

Rain Returns to Costa Rica Tonight on Ground That Cannot Take Much More

More rain is coming tonight, and where it lands matters more than how much falls. Tropical Wave (a stretch of unsettled air that moves...

Parque La Libertad Layoffs Prompt Community Protest in Costa Rica

Communities surrounding Parque La Libertad are preparing a peaceful musical protest on Sunday after government budget cuts led to 15 layoffs and temporary salary...

Costa Rica’s Drug Violence Draws Wall Street Journal Alarm as Homicides Fall

The Wall Street Journal published a report Thursday arguing that Costa Rica's rise in drug killings has fractured the political system, setting President Laura...

Costa Rica Sees a Increase in Dengue and New Malaria Concerns

Costa Rica is fighting an uphill battle against two mosquito-borne diseases this year, with dengue cases climbing sharply and malaria showing signs of resurgence...

Joao Fonseca Pulls Out of 2026 US Open With Abdominal Injury

Brazilian tennis star Joao Fonseca has withdrawn from the 2026 US Open after failing to recover from an abdominal injury suffered during the Cincinnati...

Costa Rica Relies on One Machine for Key Cancer Treatment

Costa Rica’s public health system depends on a single machine at Hospital México to provide an important form of cancer treatment, leaving patients vulnerable...

IKEA Maps Out Its Costa Rica Rollout in Three Locations

IKEA has identified the first three sites it plans to operate in Costa Rica, giving the clearest picture yet of how the Swedish home...

Costa Rica Tightens Poás Volcano Visitation Rules After Eruption

Costa Rica has introduced new safety rules at Poás Volcano National Park after an eruption early yesterday morning, but the goood news is that...
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel