Native to parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, the cacay nut was long used by indigenous people to treat wounds and light lamps. As those uses faded, trees that reached 40 meters (130 feet) high became appealing targets for loggers. That's begun to change with the renewed appeal of natural oils as beauty treatments.
One of the banners is signed CJNG, the Spanish initials of the New Generation Drug Cartel. It states that it supports the population and its only problem is with their enemies, the Zetas and Knights Templar cartels, and "abusive" authorities.
If the redesignation is successful, Cuba would again have access to the U.S. banking system, allowing an embassy to be opened and paving the way for further trade between the Cold War foes.
Once on the ground, tourists filled out fake immigration forms, and passed through simulated customs, complete with ersatz entry stamps. Banners advertising Imperial beer and Costa Rica’s national brand, “Esencial Costa Rica” were also posted around the Ecuadorian airport.
State capitalism and protection go hand in hand here. In 1998, the Carajas National Forest reserve was created as much to isolate the mine area from squatters as protect it from the deforestation that has devastated so much of this southern corner of the Amazon.
Sergeant Rodrigo Sanhueza was providing security for a military vehicle traveling near the border with the Dominican Republic when the unit encountered a protest and came under fire, the defense ministry said.
The health ministry has isolated the U.S. embassy staffer at his home, set up a security corridor around it and ordered a medical team to visit him twice a day. The man does not show symptoms of the disease and the measures are strictly preventive, Nicaraguan authorities said.
