WASHINGTON, D. C. — U.S. President Barack Obama, who took office six years ago amid a historic recession and two U.S. wars, declared unequivocally Tuesday that the nation had clawed its way out of those dire straits, praising Americans for their resilience but also pointedly taking credit for leading the way.
This, along with the advancement of science, technology and innovation, as well as the strengthening of education at all levels throughout the region, are issues that CELAC should prioritize over the next five to 10 years, according to the South American official. Costa Rica hosts CELAC'S third summit meeting from Jan. 28-29.
Along with the principles of freedom and democracy, the force of reason has prevailed throughout Costa Rican history. The abolition of the military is one of those exceptional steps that led Costa Rica to become a fairer, more educated society able to meet the most pressing needs of its population, focusing on human development rather than strengthening its military capabilities.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Costa Rica has been without a U.S. ambassador for a year and a half, but it doesn’t look like Stafford Fitzgerald Haney – whom President Barack Obama nominated for the job back in July – will be relocating to San José anytime soon.
TEL AVIV, Israel – Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948, the same year Israel declared independence. Sixty-six years later, Costa Rica remains one of the few countries without a standing military, while Israel – whose invasion of Gaza this summer following repeated Hamas rocket attacks drew angry reactions from across Latin America – ranks as one of the world’s most militarized societies.
Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís met with U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs John Feeley Monday morning as part of a three-nation trip by the State Department official. Feeley said his visit was to touch base with the Costa Rican president and shore up relations between the allies.
As Costa Rica’s gasoline prices reach record highs, politicians are scrambling to find a way to curb costs at the pump. Members of the leftist Broad Front Party think the answer lies in a Venezuelan oil-sharing scheme, Petrocaribe.
Solís reiterated his previous position that he does not support drug legalization, but the Costa Rican leader expressed interest in further "decriminalizing" drug use in Costa Rica.
Costa Rican President-elect Luis Guillermo Solís kicks off on Tuesday a tour of Central America and the Dominican Republic to invite regional leaders to his May 8 inauguration. But he won’t be stopping in Nicaragua to meet with Daniel Ortega.
WASHINGTON, D. C. – Top U.S. lawmakers from both parties are urging the Obama administration to take a tougher line on Venezuela, which is violently cracking down on popular protests against the government of Nicolás Maduro. For some on Capitol Hill, though, the real target is Cuba.
