President Pacheco Says He Supports the TLC
In Cincinnati, Ohio, Costa Rican president Abel Pacheco, reaffirmed his support for the Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) - the free trade agreement with the United States - at a breakfast meeting with local business leaders.

Business Leaders Say Now Is The Time for the Government to Act on High Gasoline Cost
The high cost of gasoline is on everyone's mind is everyone's concern. Yesterday, Costa Ricans were met with the fourth increase in the cost of gasoline this year and the results are evident with less cars on the road and light traffic congestion at peak hours.

47 Children Wirth AIDS in Costa Rica
The Hospital Nacional de Niños in Costa Rica says there are 47 children infected with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The minors range in age from newborn to 18 and are under medical care.

Why So Much Coke in Costa Rica?
With the arrest of an Evangelical priest yesterday in Golfito, who was carrying 46 kilos of cocaine in vehicle, the total amount of the drug seized so far this year on Costa Rican soil is 3.010 kilos - 3.32 tons - that has a street value of more than us$40 million dollars, according to the information released by the Ministerio de Seguridad.

Minnesota University Explores Partnership With Costa Rican University
The Saint Mary's University PowerTrak MBA program in Minneapolis hosted representatives from EARTH University in Costa Rica in early May to explore potential partnerships such as MBA capstone project opportunities, and student and faculty exchange programs.

Costa Rican Family in Deportation Case to Leave U.S.
For years, the Gonzalez family has been living with uncertainty as they waged a public campaign against deportation to their native Costa Rica.

Refugee Agency Welcomes Costa Rica Credit Decision
The United Nations refugee agency, which has been operating a microcredit programme in refugee camps in Costa Rica, has welcomed the decision of the country's courts to allow local banks to give loans to some 8,000 Colombians using their refugee identity cards.


LATIN AMERICA

Argentina plans to open embassy in Ramallah
Argentina is prepared to open an embassy in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian ambassador to Argentina Suhail Akel said Tuesday.

Mexico, China pledge to further cooperation
Mexico and China promised here on Tuesday to enhance the strategic partnership and promote cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit.

Cameras to be installed along Mexico-US border to combat violence
A total of 300 cameras will be set up in the Mexican northeastern state of Nuevo Leon along the border with the United States as a wave of drug-related violence increased, the authorities said on Tuesday.

South American leaders call for faster regional integration
Brazilian, Argentine and Venezuelan presidents have expressed their wish to accelerate regional integration of South America, Brazilian president's political adviser Marco Aurelio Garcia said Tuesday.

Cuba Reaffirms its Strong Position against Terrorism
Cubans will stage on May 17 a giant march passing by the United States Interests Section headquarters in this capital to demand the US administration to arrest the terrorist of Cuban origin Luis Posada Carriles.


SPECIAL REPORTS

SOUTH AMERICA:
Fomenting Greater Understanding at Summit with Arab Countries
South American and Arab leaders taking part in the two-day summit that opened Tuesday in the Brazilian capital were facing a serious risk of not being able to understand each other - literally.