**Gasoline in Costa Rica is the most expensive in Central America
because of a 30% tax on petroleum derivatives, according to a study by
the Central American Secretary of Integration (SIECA).

Gas in Costa Rica costs an average of 15% more than in other countries
in the region.

According to the study, while Costa Ricans pay $3.38 per gallon for
regular gas, consumers in El Salvador pay $2.95 per gallon, the lowest
price in the region. A gallon of super gas costs $3.54 in Costa Rica,
compared to $3.08 in Guatemala.

Costa Ricans pay more than $1 in taxes per gallon of gas, according to
SIECA; Honduras is the only other Central American country to pay this
much in tax.

The country’s price adjustment system is also a problem, said Costa
Rican Association of Gas Expeditors president Berny Ramírez.

On average, approving a gas price adjustment takes up to 20 days in
Costa Rica, while other Central American countries have systems that
allow for daily adjustments.

“Our system is out of sync, which hinders consumers from paying the
correct price based on the international petroleum market,” Ramírez
explained.

The only exception to high fuel prices is diesel, a
government-subsidized product used mainly in industry and for public
transport. Costa Rica has the cheapest diesel fuel in Central America
($2.43 per gallon)./ /

*/-ACAN-EFE/*

On Wednesday Alajuela beat Puntarenas FC 2-0 in the first match of their home and home series.  Puntarenas has been fierce at home, but now needs to win by 3 goals to advance.  A 2 goal advantage would force overtime, which could lead to a penalty shoot-out. The Alajuela players and fans were satisfied with the result, while guarding against over confidence.
On Thursday, Saprissa needed a penalty (hand ball) to gain a slim 1-0 victory over Brujas.  The match on Sunday will be in the National Stadium.

During the week president-elect Oscar Arias continued to name experienced advisors to key posts.  The ICE executive president will be civil engineer Jorge Gutiérrez. Teófilo de La Torre, former executive president, will be the general manager of ICE and the new Minister of the Environment and Energy will be  Roberto Dobles.
“This trio will make a perfect team, they will work together to create a law that our government will send to Congress that will lead us towards the breaking of the telecom monopoly. The same tactic will be used with the INS.”, said  Arias.

Arias also named Eduardo Doryan to take over the CCSS.  Doryan has a doctorate in economy and government from Harvard and was Minister of Science and Technology in the first Arias administration and was Minister of Education in the Rodriguez administration.

As Minister of Science and Technology Arias named Eugenia Flores, a biologist.

A vulture landed on a transformer in the ICE substation called “La Caja” and caused a blackout from 6:40 am. Although the substation is near La Uruca, sectors as far away as Bebedero (in Cañas) were affected.

Other sectors included Pavas industrial district, Patarrá, Higuito, Alajuelita, San Felipe, La Verbena, Purral de Guadalupe, San Marino, San Rafael y Miraflores.  In Tres Ríos & Cartago, Dulce Nombre, San Lorenzo and Cerrillos. In Heredia, Santa Bárbara and northern Heredia.

Near 8 a.m., work crews were able to restore service in most of the affected.

789 officers, 52 radar gunds, 244 patrol cars, motorbikes and tow trucks will be used by traffic police to prevent accidents and fatalities during the Easter holiday week. Authorities estimate that between 1.7 million and 2 million people will leave the Central Valley to enjoy their vacation time.
According to Rándall Quirós, MOPT Director, “we will have zero tolerance with alchohol and reckless driving. It is better to get there 5 or 10 minutes later than to never arrive.”

Huanelgue Gutiérrez, sub-director of the transit police, stated that police will have 9 nocturnal roadblocks, to “avoid imprudence on the highways. The toll booth at Naranjo, La Angostura, Limonal, Palmar Norte and the Río Frío intersection, are dangerous and important points where we will have a strong presence. “

For those returning from the beaches, 2 lanes will available on the Bernardo Soto highway, from the Villa Bonita bridge to the Juan Santamaría Internacional Airport. This measure will take effect after 3pm, starting on April 12th. No tolls will be charged at the Naranjo booth.