The Tico Times

A peaceful protest over land rights in Costa Rica’s maritime zone sparked a violent backlash from police on the Pacific coast last Monday, as anti-riot officers used tear gas to remove dozens of protesters from the Inter-American Highway in Puntarenas.

Harsh prison conditions, domestic abuse, and human trafficking were among the top concerns the United States State Department’s 2013 Human Rights Practices report found in Costa Rica.

In a celebration concert at Jazz Café Escazú Thursday, Costa Rican band Sonámbulo Psicotropical released a music video for "La Maraca," the first single from their unreleased sophomore album.

See where Citizen Action Party candidate Luis Guillermo Solís headed to court votes and what organization gave its blessing to ruling party candidate Johnny Araya.

Judicial Investigation Police arrested three U.S. travelers suspected of money laundering at Juan Santa María International Airport outside San José on Thursday afternoon. Police discovered more than $45,000 in unclaimed cash hidden in the travelers' suitcases.

The Tico Times guide to what's doing this week.

In December, the advocacy group Environmental Network Alliance hoped to bring green issues to the forefront of Costa Rica's presidential debates by scheduling an environmental forum for candidates. Only two of 13 candidates – Luis Guillermo Solís and José María Villalta – showed up.

On Tuesday afternoon, Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) raided the offices of U.S. real estate developer Patrick Vincent Hundley, currently serving two months preventative detention for an alleged $7 million fraud, according to the daily La Nación.

The Costa Rica Men's National Team announced its lineup for an international friendly against Paraguay. The match is set for next Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the National Stadium. As expected, head coach Jorge Luis Pinto presented a roster made up of the team's biggest stars for Costa Rica's lone home warm-up before the World Cup.

National Police discovered a whopping $552,000 in neatly wrapped one hundred dollar bills early Wednesday morning after they pulled over a white Mercedes Benz.