Costa Rica Intensifies Border Controls Against Rotavirus
The Costa Rican government intensified epidemiological controls on the borders with Nicaragua and Panama to prevent diarrhea caused by rotavirus from spreading, press reports said Wednesday.

February Inflation Highest in Years
The government's action against rising inflation doesn't seem to be working. Not last month in any case, as the accumulated inflation rate for February closed at 3.08%.

Student Protests Force Saturday Classes, MEP Insists
Students demonstrations against the Costa Rican educational system in 35 schools in the first month of the school year must now make up the time on Saturdays, this according to Rocío Solís, Directora de Niñez del Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP).

Villalobos Preliminary Hearing Ended, Announcement of Trial Expected
An email letter sent to it's membership, the United Concerned Citizens & Residents (UCCR) group says the preliminary hearing in the Osvaldo Villalobos case was concluded on February 28.

Dole Costa Rica Gets SA8000 Certification
Banana farms in Costa Rica owned by Dole Food Company, Inc. have been certified to the Social Accountability International SA 8000 work place and human rights standard. The company-owned El Bosque pineapple plantation also received its SA 8000 certification.

Southern Explorations, LLC Launches World-class South and Central America Tours
Want to see Machu Picchu? Travel the Inca Trail? Visit the Galapagos? Or just relax on a beach in Costa Rica? Southern Explorations has launched a new selection of active adventure tours and luxury vacations to South and Central America.

OHL Executive Arrives in Costa Rica To Make Amends
Representatives of the Spanish consortium, Obrascón Huarte Laín (OHL) - the company who built the Alajuela Hospital - arrived in Costa Rica yesterday in an attempt to resolve the problems with the new hospital.

LATIN AMERICA

Cuba to host Latin American Congress on Weeds
The 17th Congress of the Latin American Association on Weeds will take place in Varadero next November in order to exchange experience and know-how in this field, a member of the Organizing Committee said today.

Colombia and Venezuela Highlight Left-Wing Victory in Uruguay
Main radio and TV news programs and written media in Colombia and Venezuela highlighted on Wednesday left-wing Tabare Vazquez´s inauguration in Uruguay and his first move of re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba.

Venezuela-Russia talks on arms purchase go smoothly
The negotiations between Venezuela and Russia on the purchase of Russian weapons and military equipment are going smoothly, Russian ambassador to Venezuela Mikhail Orlovets said here Wednesday.

Uruguay and Venezuela sign strategic agreements
Uruguay and Venezuela signed Wednesday several agreements, including one through which Caracas will supply oil in exchange for food.