Costa Ricans Wary of Free Trade Agreement
Support among Costa Ricans for the Tratado Libre de Comercio (TLC) - the Central American Free Trade Agreement - with the United States fell from 57 percent in 2004, to 41 percent in April according to a poll published by the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) on Friday.

Alajuela Hospital Builder Sues CCSS
In a turnaround of events, the Spanish company Obrascón Huarte Laín (OHL), is suing the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) for us$6 million dollars for additional costs the company say it had to incurr to build the newly opend Alajuela Hospital.

Aló, This Prison Calling!
Beginning the middle of May, inmates at the country's prisons will not be able to use the public telephones installed in the institutions to harass and scam those on the outside.

Prices Skyrocket
The cost of the "Basic Basket" - which contains the essential foods that Costa Ricans eat - increased 21 percent last March, as compared to the same month in 2004.

More Dollars
The amount of dollars locally bought by Costa Rican banks increased drastically the first four months this year, since the amount surpassed by us$750 million that of the dollars sold.


LATIN AMERICA

Brazil expects permanent seat on UN Security Council
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says Brazil will obtain a permanent seat on the UN Security Council if the organization's reforms succeed.

FARC bomb attack kills 3, key ELN leader netted by police
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) launched a bomb attack in the southwest of the country, killing at least one policeman and two civilians, said the authorities on Friday.

Chile official likely to become OAS chief
Chilean Interior Minister Jose Miguel Insulza is assured election as the next secretary-general of the Organization of American States following the withdrawal of Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez from the race.

Ecuadorian Government to Renegotiate Foreign Debt and Change Budget
Ecuador"s President Alfredo Palacio stated Friday that the Government needs to improve the distribution of budget funds, and restructure the servicing of foreign debt to boost social development in the country.


SPECIAL REPORTS

COLOMBIA:
Neutrality Not an Option for Indigenous Community
 ”I have cried these last few days more than I had cried in my entire life,” Braulio Mendoza told IPS, sitting amidst the rubble of what was once his home.