Comments on: Costa Rica dismisses Ortega’s invitation to join Central American Parliament

By: Frank Castle

Frank Castle — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 18:55:00 +0000

Ken, there you go again. Costa Rica DOESN’T HAVE an overly-cozy relationship with the USA. Recently, a US Navy vsl and a Coast Guard cutter couldn’t even get permission to dock there. One was concerning Anti Drug Ops and the other was going to do some community service in country. The legislature stalled and sent the signal “you aren’t wanted here” so get the facts straight.

By: Timothy Williams

Timothy Williams — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 21:30:00 +0000

Marry, just FYI — you are allowed to say “pissing off” here on ICR

By: Miguel

Miguel — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 23:15:00 +0000

I suggest you study the history of all these alliances in the past, all they generate to CR is a long list of bills that we end up paying. Also these alliances come with lots of requirements, its the reason we dont want to have a common passport, or eliminate visas for members of the CA4 etc etc etc. We would end up having to/being pressured to take part in agreements that are not in the best interest of CR. Good thing you are learning, keep trying.

By: michaelwink

michaelwink — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 21:39:00 +0000

I would agree that Costa Rica is pricing itself out of the tourist market, and most tourist tend to leave with a ‘never again’ stance because of the price. I also believe that most people are blissfully ignorant of the fact the entire economy is built on tourism. I suspect there will be a bit of a regional normalisation, but not a collapse.

By: mhogan

mhogan — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 21:33:00 +0000

Give it time, my friend. That could change in our lifetime. For the time being, CR is sitting on its past laurels, all smug and righteous. It will be their downfall. Whoda’ thunk a decade ago that the good ol’ U.S.A. would be in the state they are in today — overspending and underproducing. Sound familiar?

By: michaelwink

michaelwink — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 21:22:00 +0000

Sounds like you haven’t traveled central america much. Costa Rica is both obviously richer by 2 – 10 times, if you visit the countries, and the GDP stats support it https://www.google.com/search?q=gdp+costa+rica&oq=gdp+costa+rica&aqs=chrome.0.57j0l2j5j60j62.2571j0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

By: mhogan

mhogan — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 17:49:00 +0000

Costa Rica is wealthier than its neighbors? They may pretend to be … but really???

By: Ken Morris

Ken Morris — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 16:53:00 +0000

Yes, this is precisely what’s wrong with CR’s foreign relations, and in particular its relations with Nicaragua. It steadfastly refuses dialog, and prefers to make nasty remarks instead. Others in other countries perceive this as arrogance, as reflecting CR’s overly-cozy relationship to the US, and as self-interested (since CR is wealthier than its neighbors). It’s not an attractive national characteristic, and raises questions about CR’s pacifism. Pacifists who eschew diplomacy put themselves in an impossible position. Perhaps, as many suspect, CR’s pacifism is really a reliance on the US military.

By: mhogan

mhogan — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 16:41:00 +0000

I guess the Chinchilla administration hasn’t heard the saying: “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer”. This would be a great opportunity to know things firsthand; instead, it seems rumors and paranoia prevail. Forget Nicarauga, Panama has a bad taste in its mouth for Costa Rica for a number of reasons, least of which is Costa Rica holding up the Latin America Free Trade Agreement (necessary for all countries to sign in order for passage). CR needs to learn a little diplomacy but arrogance stands in the way. Keep p***ing off your neighbors and see where it gets you (the Panama border dispute, maybe???) Who’s the “bad neighbor” now?

By: An t-eolaí

An t-eolaí — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 16:32:00 +0000

Smooth – an invitation to be partners and secure a lucrative economic partnership with the most powerful trading body in the world is an act of aggression. What could possibly constitute an act of peace to these people? I knew next to nothing about Costa Rica a week ago. The more I learn (I have a valid and pressing reason for taking a short-term interest), the more I find the place (or at least its administration) to be utterly objectionable.