The Nicaraguan army said Monday afternoon that they would not be handing over to Costa Rica officials the fugitive couple that was the subject of a manhunt in Costa Rica and Panama, wanted for committing various murders in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
The couple are currently in the hands of Nicaraguan immigration officials who, according to the Nicaraguan army, has the responsibility to decide the future of the couple, who have been identified by Panamanian authorities as William Adolfo Cortez (alias Wild Bill) and his wife, Jeana Seana.
Nicaraguan officials say the couple identified themselves as William Sectar Fecbar and Laura Michel Ruiz, both Dutch nationals, and are being detained in the San Carlos de Nicaragua immigration post.
According to a Nicaraguan military spokesperson, the couple were handed over to immigration officials because they attempted to enter Nicaraguan territory illegally.
“The entered Nicaragua illegally and will have to be processed by immigration authorities according to law. We cannot hand them over to anyone else”, said coronel Juan Ramón Morales, head of the Dirección de Relaciones Públicas del ejército de Nicaragua.
Morales said the couple identified themselves as Dutch nationals, presenting passports issued by the Netherlands.
Panamanian police, however, say the couple are American citizens and using various documents from other countries.
Nicaraguan authorities have managed to arrest William Cortez and his wife Jean Seana, suspects in the death of Cheryl Lynn Hughes and two other bodies found in his house in the province of Bocas del Toro.
According to preliminary reports they may have killed over 20 people across Central America.
Government officials from both Costa Rica and Panama have confirmed the capture of the fugitives William “Wild Bill”Adolfo Cortez and his wife Jane Seana Cortez. The pair were caught as they made their way down a river in a hired boat along the border area between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. As they approached a checkpoint, “Wild Bill” threw their hired boat driver into the water and grabbed the tiller in an effort to escape. They ran smack into a heavily armed Nicaraguan army patrol and were arrested without a struggle. Right now Costa Rican officials are scrambling to get to this remote area to coordinate the transfer of the fugitives to Costa Rican soil, for their eventual return to Panama for prosecution.
If you have been following real estate around the world for any amount of time, you have probably realized what a real estate boom is going on in Costa Rica. The country is a small one, and many people are finding that Costa Rica is the paradise that they have been searching for. Perhaps you are interested in purchasing property in Costa Rica, and if you are, you may want to check out Costa Rica real estate listings to find a piece of property that you are interested in. However, you may be wondering where you can find a good Costa Rica real estate listing, so the following are a few places that you may want to check.
Check with an Agent
One popular place to look for a good Costa Rica real estate listing is with a real estate agent for Costa Rica. There are many good agents that deal with real estate in Costa Rica, and they can provide you with many real estate listings and help you find the property that you really want in the country. All you have to do is tell the agent what you are looking for, and they can probably come up with several Costa Rica real estate listings that you’ll want to have a closer look at.
Take a Look at Online Sites
Another place that you can find a great Costa Rica real estate listing is at online sites. There are a variety of sites that actually have listings for properties in Costa Rica. Often the have descriptions of the property, and many actually have some pictures that you can look at as well.
While it may take a bit more work on your part, you may enjoy the search for the perfect Costa Rica real estate listing. So, if you don’t really want to go to a real estate agent yet, then consider going to an online site for the Costa Rica real estate listing that you want.
Many people often ask me what kind of business opportunities are available in Costa Rica. If you have any sort of entrepreneurial spirit you will find countless opportunities in this country, but first it is important you fully understand the culture and economy a bit better. One of the ways I describe Costa Rica is that in many ways it follows U.S. trends, but is just 5-10 years behind. Perhaps one of the most notable trends to note are the consumer habits of Costa Ricans. Like Americans, Ticos SPEND money. They go out to eat, they go shopping, they save little and often spend their paychecks as soon as they get them. Much like the U.S., shopping is quickly becoming a national pastime in Costa Rica. Go to any mall in San Jose on the weekend and you can better understand and see exactly what I’m referring to. Observing this more is a great place to start to learn where you can start a business.
Another important pattern we have seen develop is the increase in travel. It might seem like it was quite a while ago, but when I was growing up our family took a vacation once a year. Dining at restaurants was really set for special occasions like birthdays or celebrations, and a trip to McDonalds was at best once a month. We all know those days are long gone. Now most Americans go out to eat multiple times a week, escape for weekend get aways once a month, and still manage to take an extended vacation every few months. In the past few years we have seen the exact same trend in Costa Rica. Although Costa Rica is famous for it’s beautiful beaches many Costa Rican’s in the Central Valley only visit them once a year. A lot of Costa Rican’s have not even fully explored their own country let alone travel outside Costa Rica. Much of that has been changing because of improved roads and access. In places like Jaco Beach, we are now starting to see people from San Jose come here 1-2 times a month and explore parts of the country more. Hotels, gas stations, restaurants all benefit from increased travel and again offer more opportunities to start new businesses.
Finding the right business opportunity takes time and effort and understanding consumer trends is a big step in beginning that process. In my next article I will explain more on where all this money is coming from and why Costa Rica continues to be one of the most stable economies in Central America.
A question often asked is, “Is Costa Rica safe?” The answer, to a great extent, is yes.
The crime rate in Costa Rica is the lowest in Latin America, and Costa Rica is, without a doubt, the safest country in Central America. Over one and a half million tourists, most of them Americans, visit Costa Rica every year, and they feel as safe as ever exploring the country. The Ticos on the whole are very friendly and warm people by nature, and they live a simple life devoid of all its excesses. There are no acts of terrorism in Costa Rica, and recreational drugs, other than tobacco and alcohol, are illegal. And Costa Rica has no standing army, and unlike all other countries in Latin America, the country has not experienced any political strife since 1949.
With the single exception of robbery, the crime rate in Costa Rica is very low compared to other countries. For the purpose of comparison, according to the United Nations’ Seventh Annual Survey on Crime, crimes recorded in police statistics show that the crime rate for all index crimes (murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft) in Costa Rica was 1208.2 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1999, comparing very well with 1529.75 for Japan (country with a low crime rate) and 4184.24 for the U.S. (country with a high crime rate).
The crime in Costa Rica is generally much lower and less violent than that in the States, and the crime here tends to be opportunistic as opposed to violent. In other words, rapes and murders in Costa Rica are very few, almost unheard of, compared to those in the States, but petty theft, car theft, and pick-pocketing are not uncommon here, especially in downtown San Jose and on the beach. In smaller towns, the crime rate is much lower.
It’s always best to exercise caution at all times, not only when visiting Costa Rica, but also when visiting any other foreign country. Traveling to any country is not without some risk. The good news is that you can very much enjoy a safe and wonderful stay in Costa Rica by following the simple common-sense safety tips outlined below, which also apply to any other foreign country you may want to visit.
* Be careful when stepping into the wild, going off a beaten path, or roaming national parks. Pay attention to warning signs, and always check with your guide if there’s any danger ahead.
* Be very wary of dangerous trails, volcanic areas, riptides, and waves.
* Do not swim into the ocean. There are few lifeguards, so always stay near other bathers.
* Do not walk alone in secluded areas or go into public parks late at night.
* Steer clear of deserted side streets, properties, or undeveloped land.
* Watch your luggage, never leave it unattended, and write your name on it.
* Do not hand your luggage to any stranger except the airport porters who carry an official identification.
* Lock your doors and your luggage when staying at a hotel.
* Do not carry a lot of money or flash big wads of money, and remember to keep your wallet in a safe place. It is also recommended to wear a money belt.
* Make sure that your personal belongings (keys, laptop, cell phone, credit card(s), etc.) are within reach, in a secure place, and never out in the open.
* As a foreigner, your passport is your ID. Keep your passport in a secure place, and always keep several photocopies of your passport as well as your Costa Rica airline ticket and insurance policy.
* Do not make yourself a target for thieves and pickpockets – do not wear flashy jewelry or expensive watches.
* Do not hold expensive equipment, such as cameras, all the time while walking.
* Guard yourself against car theft – always lock your car, and do not leave your keys or anything of value in your car even if you run into a store or supermarket for a few seconds to buy something.
* Do not park your car on the street – use secured private parking lots whenever possible.
* Use your common sense, do not trust anyone who approaches you and wants to act like your tour guide, and do not get separated from your tour group.
If you fall victim to any crime, please report the incident to the local police and contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance.
Be not afraid! Remember that traveling to any country in the world is not without some risk, and you should follow these safety precautions anywhere you go. With some common sense, no crime will ever happen to you and you will find Costa Rica a safe and wonderful country to visit or stay. Most of this advice is well taken in the States.
We have not suffered any crime that we are aware of in the last two years (knock on wood), but that can happen in just about any community in the world. Remember, the crime rate in the U.S. is about 4 times as high as it is here in Grecia. And in Dallas, TX, I had my Chevy Blazer stolen twice (only to steal the radio) and had the house burglarized once, so things like these can happen here, in the U.S., or anywhere else.
Costa Rica’s Catholic church is calling for respect from the Swedish “black metal” band MARDUK, who will be making an appearance in Costa Rica next week.
MARDUK has been strongly criticized by religious groups for its anti-Christian lyrics and even branding the band as “satanic.”
Mario Segura, Catholic priest and spokesperson for the Curia Metropolitana, said “they should have more respect because they are sacred things,” referring to the band’s use of religious articles, like an inverted cross in its album cover art.
Segura said he considers that this type of music and message cannot encourage any good in Costa Rica’s youth.
MARDUK will be in Costa Rica on July 29 at the Pepper Disco Club (formerly The City). The band last made an appearance in Costa Rica in 2003.
EM3 Producciones, promoter of the event, said the Thursday show is for those 18 years of age and over and that the band will not be performing any type of ritual on stage, just perform its music.
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The Nicaraguan army said Monday afternoon that they would not be handing over to Costa Rica officials the fugitive couple that was the subject of a manhunt in Costa Rica and Panama, wanted for committing various murders in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
Many people often ask me what kind of business opportunities are available in Costa Rica. If you have any sort of entrepreneurial spirit you will find countless opportunities in this country, but first it is important you fully understand the culture and economy a bit better. One of the ways I describe Costa Rica is that in many ways it follows U.S. trends, but is just 5-10 years behind. Perhaps one of the most notable trends to note are the consumer habits of Costa Ricans. Like Americans, Ticos SPEND money. They go out to eat, they go shopping, they save little and often spend their paychecks as soon as they get them. Much like the U.S., shopping is quickly becoming a national pastime in Costa Rica. Go to any mall in San Jose on the weekend and you can better understand and see exactly what I’m referring to. Observing this more is a great place to start to learn where you can start a business.
