Central America

Costa Rica: Laptop Computer Thefts in San Jose

Date: June 14th, 2006 |

An American walking to Sabana Park in San Jose was shot twice during a robbery May 29 when thieves stole his laptop computer. One robber tried to snatch the computer from his hand and when he resisted, an accomplice clubbed the victim on the head, then shot him in the leg. When they fled, the [read more]

Guatemala: Rumors of Americans Kidnapping Children

Date: May 23rd, 2006 |

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Rumors that Americans are involved in kidnapping children and taking them to the U.S. have stirred passions in the highlands and made travel in some areas potentially risky. The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City advises against unnecessary travel to Santo Domingo Xenacoj, Sacatepequez Department and nearby areas. Santo Domingo Xenacoj is located on the road [read more]

Costa Rica: Armed Robberies on the Road from San José’s Airport

Date: May 2nd, 2006 |

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Since December, the U.S. Embassy has received 11 reports of armed robberies of Americans traveling from San Jose’s Juan Santamaria Airport in cars heading west on the Pan-American Highway between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. In some cases the criminals have punctured a tire either before the tourists left the rental agency or at one [read more]

Martinique: Dengue Fever Epidemic

Date: October 4th, 2005 |

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Martinique also has a dengue fever problem, with almost 1,000 cases a week being reported since mid-September. Two people have died out of more than 6,000 repor [read more]

Costa Rica: Dengue Fever Outbreak

Date: August 30th, 2005 |

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Dengue fever is increasing in Costa Rica and has claimed its first victim in more than six years. A 24-year-old man died in Puntarenas Aug. 20. More than 14,000 cases of dengue fever have been reported since January, an increase of 35 percent over last year. The central Pacific and Atlantic regions are the most [read more]

Belize: Armed Robberies Near Guatemala Border

Date: June 2nd, 2006 |

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Two armed robberies of tourist groups within a month, the most recent May 15, were the latest in a string of almost monthly ambushes to occur in the Mountain Pine Ridge and Chiquibul Forest reserves. The bandits held up the groups in remote areas on Caracol Road and at Rio Frio Caves. Police believe the [read more]

Caribbean: Forecasters Predict Severe Hurricane Season

Date: May 9th, 2006 |

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Following 2005’s record-breaking number of hurricanes, the Caribbean is set for another above-average hurricane season, according to weather forecasters. Water temperatures in the Atlantic-Caribbean are warm and the Pacific is seeing no El Niño pattern to offset them. The U.S. National Weather Service reported that the 2006 season will be as active as 2005, when [read more]

Guatemala: Floods and Mudslides

Date: October 11th, 2005 |

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Torrential rains from Hurricane Stan swept across Guatemala and other Central American countries causing extensive flooding and massive mudslides that wiped out entire villages. Areas hardest hit were Mayan mountain villages, but Santiago Atitlan and Panajachel, both on the shores of Lake Atitlan and popular with foreign tourists, were overwhelmed. Some 40 people were killed [read more]

Nicaragua: Violent Crime in Atlantic Coastal Regions

Date: September 6th, 2005 |

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Violent crime is escalating in the Atlantic coastal regions and the Corn Islands, and the Nicaraguan National Police do not have the resources to combat it. The U.S. Embassy in Managua has received reports of numerous crimes against residents and tourists in the region and now prohibits personnel from traveling to the area, with limited [read more]

Costa Rica: No More Swimming with Dolphins

Date: August 9th, 2005 |

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Swimming with dolphins and whales has been banned throughout the country, and it is now illegal to keep the animals in captivity. This close contact with marine mammals has been a growing tourist attraction, with some 45 companies promoting it, but it has been criticized by environmental groups. In other news, moneychangers who work the [read more]