Americas

The Persistent Myth of Costa Rica’s Demilitarization

Markus Hochmüller, Markus-Michael Müller / NACLA Jan 5, 2024 Narratives celebrating Central America’s most peaceful nation have masked a militarized policing model shaped by U.S.-sponsored counterinsurgency. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Medicare for All Should Be a Reality Today

Amy Goodman and Denis Moynihan Feb 20, 2020 "People with low or moderate incomes do not get the same medical attention as those with high incomes." President Harry Truman in 1945. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Costa Rica’s Bold Plan to Combat Fossil Fuels

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Mar 3, 2019 The country's president, Carlos Alvarado, announced that the country would transition to net carbon zero. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Three Countries Show How Close We Are to a Totally Green Grid

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Apr 9, 2018 Achievements in Portugal, Scotland and Costa Rica show that a 100-percent-clean electricity grid is no longer a dream. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Costa Rica Elects Same-Sex Marriage Backer as President

JAVIER CORDOBA / The Associated Press Apr 1, 2018 Carlos Alvarado, a novelist and former Cabinet member running under the banner of the ruling Citizen Action Party, wins by a wide margin over an evangelical minister. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

What Does 2018 Have in Store for Latin America?

Staff / Truthdig Dec 28, 2017 Many of the United States' neighbors to the south will be voting on new heads of government, possibly changing their countries' directions. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Costa Rica Approves Incentives for Electric Vehicles

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Dec 16, 2017 The country’s congress overwhelmingly passes the law on its second reading, aiming for 37,000 EVs in five years. Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress' tax bill promotes carbon-based energy. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Peace Now [a cartoon from Costa Rica]

Arcadio Esquivel, Costa Rica / Cagle Cartoons Jan 15, 2017 Dig deeper

Public Banking in Costa Rica: A Remarkable Little-Known Model

By Ellen Brown, Web of Debt Nov 11, 2013 In Costa Rica, publicly-owned banks have been available for so long and work so well that people take for granted that any country that knows how to run an economy has a public banking option. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Latin America’s Behind on Women’s Reproductive Rights

Staff / Truthdig Sep 3, 2013 While other parts of the world were witnessing the growth of feminist movements, many South American countries were fighting dictatorships. For this reason, and thanks to the governments’ strong ties with the Catholic Church, many women are still denied the right to an abortion in Latin America. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Now You See Him, Now You Don’t

By Tom Engelhardt, TomDispatch Jul 29, 2013 After years in absentia, retired CIA operative Robert Seldon Lady reappeared out of nowhere on the border between Panama and Costa Rica. And then -- poof! -- he vanished a second time. Not another news story was heard here in the U.S. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Prosecutors Use Patriot Act to Shut Down Virtual Currency Operator

Peter Z. Scheer / Truthdig May 29, 2013 Liberty Reserve, which, until Tuesday, operated a virtual currency that could be exchanged for cash, stands accused by the United States of laundering $6 billion in criminal funds. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )