Pacheco and the Rest of the Central American Presidents Discuss Free Trade With George W. Bush
US President George W. Bush met at the White House on Thursday the presidents of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic to discuss free trade and regional cooperation.

Genesis Fund Creators Arrested
Three Americans were detained by the authorities on Wednesday following raids on two homes in Paquera in Puntarenas and Sabana Norte, in San José.

Arias Remains In First Place
Former presidet Óscar Arias Sánchez is still favoured to win the next presidential election in Costa Rica, according to a poll by CID-Gallup. 47 per cent of respondents would vote for Arias next year, a two per cent increase since February.

More Hits on Drug Trafficking
Shortly after 3pm yesterday, agents of the Estupefacientes del Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) - Drug Squad - made another hit on the drug trafficking trade, this time with the detention of a Colombian in Canoas de Alajuela.

MOPT Plans To Ease Congestion on Paseo Colón
An ambitious plan by the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) - Transport and Public Works Ministry - is to remove the buses using Paseo Cólon to leave the city.

A Woman For President??
If the opinion of a majority of Costa Ricans counted at the polls, a woman would be the next President of the Republic.


LATIN AMERICA

Fidel Castro Accuses Bush of Lying
Cuban President Fidel Castro said on Thursday that the US people will never forgive their rulers for their lies and deceit about Cuban-born terrorists who operate in that country.

Ex-Colombian minister arrested for suspected role in assassination of politician
Colombian authorities arrested former Justice Minister Alberto Santofimio Thursday for his alleged role in the assassination of ex-presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galan in 1989.

Venezuela Knocks Plots against Oil Industry
Venezuelan Legislator Julio Moreno, from Movimiento V Republica (MVR), denounced opposition schemes, which include massive attacks on the state-run oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).

Ecuadorians March for Legislative Elections
Nearly 1,000 people from grassroots organizations urged for the resignation of the entire National Congress and warned the government of the need to honor the promises made after Alfredo Palacio became President of Ecuador.

Nicaraguan Deputies Pro ALBA
Nicaraguan deputies will evaluate the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) as an integration proposal to benefit nations and prevent them from becoming slaves, legislator Nathan Sevilla asserted Thursday.


SPECIAL REPORTS

ENVIRONMENT-ARGENTINA:
Clean Patagonian Energy from Wind and Hydrogen
A laboratory situated in the southern Patagonia region of Argentina is producing hydrogen from wind energy to supply power to a village -- and prove that it is possible to replace the polluting fuels derived from petroleum.