Costa Rica Declared "Slave Zone"
Although it cannot be seen at first sight, Costa Rica has been declared a "slave zone", according to a report by Telenoticias, that goes on to say that many of the prostitutes in Costa Rica are foreigners and the majority are here practically as slaves.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says that some 800.000 people a year are moved for the purposes of being exploited for labour and sex.

The Telenoticias report says that Nicaraguan, Dominican, Colombian, Peruvian, Chinese, Russian and Philippine nationals make their way to Costa Rica with their eyes on the United States, Canada or Europe.

What makes the situation worse is the number of minors that make up this group, According to the Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI) - the child welfare agency - in 2005 they attended to 354 cases involving minors and that number is growing.

According to the non-governmental agency World Vision, they believe the problem is based on many foreigners see Costa Rica as a "sex destination", attracting more foreigners who see that as a stepping stone to the first world.

To combat "sex tourism" and curb slavery, the Costa Rican government has been running an active campaign using billboards, television commercials and in school books, saying that the sexual exploitation of minors is punishable by jail time.

Residents are being asked to report cases of sexual abuse of minors by calling 911.