Archive for January 15th, 2010
Friday, January 15th, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010, was an important day for owners of luxury homes, a day to pay up their “luxury tax” that is imposed on every home valued over ¢100.000.000 colones.
The ministerio de Hacienda (Revenue ministry) estimates between 10.000 and 12.000 homes are subject to the tax, whose owners face a penalty of up to 10 times the taxed amount for non paying up on time.
Francisco Fonseca, Director de Tributación, estimates several thousands of home owners did not pay up by the 8pm deadline on Friday. Fonseca said that the exact number of late payers will be available this week.
With the tax, Hacienda expects to collect some ¢10 billion colones in new revenue.
The tax can be paid directly at the “oficinas de Tributación” or at any of the 16 banks and financial institutions authorized for the tax collection.
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Friday, January 15th, 2010
Costa Rican president, Óscar Arias, said on Wednesday that he will not attend the “traspaso de poderes” (transfer of power) in Honduras on January 27th, when Porfitio Lobo, who was elected by Honduras in November, takes office as the Honduras’ next president.
Arias said he would not be on hand to witness de facto president, Roberto Micheletti, hand over the presidential sash to elected Lobo.
The ceremony will be held at the Tiburcio Carías stadium in Tegucigalpa.
“I have asked Lobo not to accept the transfer of power from Micheletti, that it be some other government official to hand over the sash. That would be seen well by the international community and would receive the support of many of the Latin American presidents, but I don’t believe that will occurr”, said Arias in a statement.
Arias added that he has had no contact with Lobo since his visit to Costa Rica last December 8.
Arias was a key player in the negotiations to end the stalemate in the ousting of Hondura president, Manuel Zelaya, last June. The negotiations, with the support of the US, failed and Zelaya, hunkered in the Brazilian embassy in the Honduran capital, has never been reinstated.
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Friday, January 15th, 2010
If you are heading out to the Palmares Festival, here are a few recommendations. One, don’t drink and drive. Two, make sure your 2010 Marchamo is paid. And, three, use your seatbelt, for the Policía de Tránsito have a ‘zero tolerance” policy in effect in the area of Palmares and all roads leading to and from.
Germán Marín said that at least 150 Tráficos (traffic officials) – almost 20% of the force – are assigned to Palmares to ensure a safe return home after partying.
This year, the Tráficos will be posted along the Interamericana Norte and not just at the entrance to Palmares and the Naranjo toll station.
Armed with the provisions of the New Ley de Tránsito, drunk drivers will be heading directly to jail, drivers not using their seatbelts, talking on their cellular phones and speeding will take home a ticket for a souvenir. And those not having their 2010 Marchamo will be walking home.
At least 28 Tráficos will be posted at the Naranjo toll booths alone.
So far, Tránsito records show that in the first 13 days of the year, a total of 2.335 drivers have been fined for variety of offences, nine drivers caught drunk behind the wheel, 11 vehicles, 39 drivers licenses and 84 license plates have been confiscated.
William Vásquez, president of the Asociación Cívica Palmareña, said that at least 600.000 people are expected to visit the Palmares Festival that began Wednesday and run until January 25.
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Friday, January 15th, 2010
The Honduran supreme court on Monday summoned senior military officers to testify last year’s coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya.
Supreme Court president Jorge Rivera Aviles called upon the chief of the Joint Staff of Honduras Romeo Vasquez, vice chief Venancio Cervantes and other high-ranking officers to testify the coup that took place on June 28 last year.
The testimony, hailed as a hearing on “abuse of power,” is scheduled for Thursday.
Juan Carlos Sanchez, chief of the army’s legal department, said that the detention order issued against these top officers had been canceled due
to the fact that they would attend the testimony on their own accord.
The Honduran authorities issued the detention order last week. The Supreme Court president is expected to decide after the testimony on what legal actions to take against these military officers for their roles in the coup that ousted the elected president and forced him into exile in Costa Rica.
Other senior military officers summoned by the Supreme Court included the chief of the Army, General Miguel Angel Garcia Padgett; chief of the Air Force, General Luis Javier Prince; chief of the Navy, Rear Admiral Juan Pablo Rodriguez, and general inspector of the armed forces, General Carlos Cuellar.
The Honduran National Congress is reportedly preparing to discuss an amnesty for the others involved in the coup.
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Friday, January 15th, 2010
A team of 50 Costa Rican experts are headed Haiti to assist the earthquake victims, announced Wednesday night Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias.
The group of search and rescue specialists will help efforts at the hard hit island, and also to locating Costa Ricans who are in Haiti. The Costa Rican foreign ministry says there are at least ten Costa Rican in Port au Prince.
According to the government press release, the team will include engineers, doctors and health care specialists.
At least one Alajuela family lived the agony since hearing the news of the devastating earthquake, with four of its members having recently travelled to Haiti. Last night the got the message that everyone is safe and well.
Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.
Click here to donate now.
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