Democracy Video Challenge: Your Voice. Your Video.

Create a video short that completes the phrase "Democracy is…" and win an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, New York and Hollywood to attend gala screenings of the winning videos, gain exposure to the U.S. film and television industry and meet with creative talent, democracy advocates and government leaders. (more)

U.S. Secretary of Commerce visits Costa Rica with an eye on CAFTA

San Jose-September 30, 2008

During his first visit to Costa Rica, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez met with Costa Rican government officials including President Dr. Oscar Arias Sanchez and the Foreign Trade Minister Marco Vinicio Ruiz to analyze the current status of CAFTA in Costa Rica. Secretary Gutierrez also visited Intel and Hortifruti/Wal-Mart facilities, and had meetings with FedEx and the American Chamber of Commerce representatives. He arrived in Costa Rica on September 30th for a two visit. He was accompanied on this visit by a group of American entrepreneurs interested in extending their businesses through the region once CAFTA is enacted (photo gallery)

Healthcare Provided to More than 1,000 on the Costa Rican/Panamanian Border

Punta Burica- September 25, 2008

Thirty-six doctors, dentists, nurses and medical assistants, along with 35 Costa Rican medical professionals traveled to the Costa Rica/Panamanian border to provide healthcare to more than 1,000 Panamanians and Costa Ricans from September 25-27th.
The medical/dental excercise was reflective of joint cooperative efforts between the United States Government and Government of Costa Rica. U.S. Ambassador Peter Cianchette along with Minister of Public Security Janina del Vecchio traveled to the Punta Burica and Alta Corona sites with senior officials to see the humanitarian efforts first-hand. (photo gallery)

Voter Registration Deadline Quickly Approaching: Make Your Vote Count!

The deadline to register to vote for the November general elections is fast approaching.  Many states require voter registration forms to be received by October 4, 2008.  We encourage last-minute voters to use e-mail or fax to return their Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) if their state allows it. The Consular section at the U.S. Embassy can accept your voter registration/absentee ballot for mailing to the U.S. However, please review the important dates and the State specific information that can be found at www.fvap.gov.

USG Donates GPS Navigation Devices to the Costa Rican Coast Guard

San Jose- September 24, 2008

As part of the continuing U.S-Costa Rican bilateral relationship to combat narcotics trafficking and enforcement of the law, on September 24, 2008, the USG donated five GPSs to the Costa Rican Coast Guard (SNGC) worth $3000. These navigation devices will help the SNGC better coordinate counterdrug operations as well as search and rescue operations on the high seas.

Remembering 9/11

San Jose- September 11, 2008
Embassy San Jose commemorated the 7th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks at the September 11 Park located at the Binational Center in La Sabana Park on Thursday at 8:30 am. US Ambassador to Costa Rica, Peter Cianchette, addressed a crowd of over 100 that included San Jose Mayor Johnny Araya, local police and firefighters, Binational Center staff and students, Americans from the American Colony Committee, members of the American Chamber of Commerce and colleagues from the US Embassy community. (photo gallery)

Latest News from Washington

• Ihsanoglu meets with OISA’s Secretary General The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, met at his office in Jeddah with the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Shipowners Association (OISA), H. E. Dr. Abdul-Latif Al-Sultan.15/10/2008 (more)
• Bush Signs Andean Trade Pact Extension
  Two trade measures that waive import duties from nations in the Andean region of South America and in Africa have been extended through the end of 2009. “In the long run, one of the best ways to restore confidence in the global economy is by keeping markets open to trade and investment,” President Bush says.10/17/08
  
• Latin America Adjusting to World Financial Turmoil
  Latin America will continue to grow economically, although at a slower pace as a result of the turbulence in the world’s financial markets. The upheaval likely will reduce remittances sent home to Latin America and the Caribbean by immigrant workers in the United States and elsewhere.10/10/08
  
• U.S., U.N. Food Aid Bringing Hope to Colombia’s Indigenous People
  The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. agencies in Rome, Gaddi Vasquez, recently visited displaced people in Colombia. He describes how food aid programs are providing nutritious meals to schoolchildren, job training to people who go on to start their own small businesses and nutrition training to new mothers.10/08/08
  
• FARC Terrorist Group in Colombia Diminished but Still Dangerous
  The Colombian terrorist group known as the FARC no longer poses a viable threat to Colombia’s government, analysts tell America.gov. But the group remains capable of committing violent acts against the Colombian people, as shown by a September 1 car bombing in Colombia’s third-largest city, Cali.10/02/08