U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica reopens following ‘security situation’ in Pavas [Updated]

This story was updated at 12:35 p.m. following the Embassy’s reopening. 

The United States Embassy briefly suspended normal operations Wednesday morning following an “evolving security situation,” but it reopened by the early afternoon.

At 12:30 p.m., the U.S. Embassy announced via Facebook that “the security situation in the vicinity of the embassy has been resolved” and that it would be returning to full operations.

The original alert followed an apparent fight at the Plaza del Oeste shopping center, which is located across the street from the Embassy in Pavas, San José.

“For your security, [and] for our security,” the U.S. Embassy had asked people with planned visits to reschedule. But with the situation resolved, the Embassy said it will resume holding routine appointments.

Read the original story below: 

The United States Embassy in Pavas, San José, issued an alert Wednesday morning regarding an “evolving security situation” at the Plaza del Oeste shopping center.

Read the Embassy’s full communication below:

Embassy San Jose has received credible information regarding an evolving security situation in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy in Pavas, specifically at the Plaza del Oeste shopping center across the street from the main Embassy entrance. Embassy San Jose directs all individuals with routine and prescheduled appointments today to reschedule. Those U.S. citizens with emergencies should contact the Embassy operator via 2519-2000 or via ACSSanJose@state.gov for more information and guidance.

Embassy San Jose will issue a follow up message when operations have returned to normal.

The Embassy did not answer a call requesting further information. The Tico Times is heading to the embassy, and we’ll update this post when we have more information.

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