Costa Rica Arrests 5 from NGO Accused of Embezzling Public Funds
The Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) apprehended five individuals, including four women posing as nuns, allegedly involved in an organization partly funded by public resources. The investigation, initiated by the Prosecutor’s Office of Probity, Transparency, and Anticorruption, uncovered potential crimes such as trafficking in persons for labor exploitation, unauthorized practice of professions, embezzlement, illicit enrichment, and torture. Authorities discovered a safe containing approximately 250,000 dollars during a raid at the residence of a collaborator of the Manos Abiertas home. The investigation revealed irregularities, including alleged mistreatment of patients and misappropriation of funds from public organizations for personal gain, despite the organization’s denial of mistreatment allegations.
Costa Rica’s Booming Property Market Threatens Displacement of Locals
Guanacaste, a popular tourist destination in Costa Rica, has seen a significant increase in real estate developments, with coastal property prices rising by 400% between 2020 and 2023. The region has experienced a large increase in housing and commercial construction projects, with Santa Cruz, Nicoya, Liberia, and Carrillo having the largest number of projects. However, this real estate inflation has had a negative impact on locals, with many struggling to afford the high costs of housing and rentals. The luxury real estate developments have led to a process of dispossession, forcing many residents to look for new places to settle.
Costa Ricans March for Women’s Rights and Safety on International Women’s Day
On International Women’s Day, dozens of people marched in San José, Costa Rica, to demand rights and safety for women. The demonstrators, including adults and children, started at Central Park and proceeded to the Plaza de la Democracia, voicing their concerns for women’s rights, reproductive rights, and the release of political prisoners in Nicaragua. The women condemned abuse, sexual harassment, and femicide, calling for a society that respects them and allows them to make their own decisions without fear. Some shared personal stories of sexual abuse, hoping for justice and an end to the silence surrounding their experiences.
