The Assembly passed on Thursday night in 2nd debate the new migratory law that punishes, among other things, the illegal traffic of foreigners.  The initiative passed 38-5, and will now go to President Pacheco for signature.

The legislators Federico Malavassi, Ricardo Toledo, Juan Jose Vargas, Luis Ramirez, Humberto Arce and Rafael Varela, emphasized that the initiative is urgent, because it would organize the entrance of foreigner workers.  Carazo, Valerín and Faigenzicht thought that the plan violates the human rights of undocumented aliens.  Carazo described the plan as "authoritarian, arbitrary and coercive". He stated that the project violates fundamental rights of the migrants, like the right to oppose resolutions of the immigration authorities.

Tropical Storm Beta is off the coast of Costa Rica and is threatening Nicaragua as it is also expected to become a hurricane in the next 24 hours.  While it is unlikely to make landfall on Costa Rica’s coast, intense rainfall is expected in the Northern Zone and along the Pacifico Coast (Central and South).

Meanwhile the Public Police Force will be out this weekend to prevent assaults, break ins and carjackings.  Particular attention will also be paid to preventing vandalism in cemeteries and shopping centers. 

The Director of the OIJ, Jorge Rojas, and the Minister of Security, Rogelio Ramos confirmed that they are investigating death threats that President Pacheco has recieved since before sending the CAFTA to congress. Both stated that the threats "cannot be taken as a joke" and that security will be reinforced and that the author will be brought to justice, or at least investigated.

The threats were deplored by candidates Óscar Arias (PLN), Ricardo Toledo (PUSC), Ottón Solís (PAC) y Otto Guevara (Libertarian).

On Monday, the legislature passed a bill dealing with immigration issues.  The law now must return to committee for consultation with the Constitutional Court (Sala IV) and later be approved in a 2nd debate in order to become a law. 

According to Minister of Security and Safety Rogelio Ramos, the law makes it illegal to traffic people (immigrants) in Costa Rica. It specifies 2 to 6 years in prison for "coyotes", who are generally transporting people from South America on the way to the U.S.  It imposes fines on those housing illegal immigrants and also fines those giving them work.

However, it also opens the way for workers to enter legally by obtaining a work permit.  Some sectors, notably Nicaraguans and presidential candidate Arias, oppose the law as draconian and fear it will lead to abuse.  Minister Ramos said that it is only intended to punish those taking advantage of illegal immigrants and those working for bands of delinquents.

28 legislators approved a motion submitted by Liberation representative Luis Gerardo Villanueva, which reduces the VAT from 10% to 6% on professional services.  The reduction was needed to shore up flagging support for the moribund tax plan. It represents a loss of 3.5 billion to 4 billion colones from the package’s projected earnings.

While the country is experiencing an investment crisis in its crumbling roadway system, CONAVI is preparing to move into a luxury office building. CONAVI has been paying $80,000 per month, the amount which was approved by the Comptroller and the Constitutional Court.  The current building is in Zapote and houses 300 employees, who allege that the space is insufficient and  that the structure is deterioting and unsafe.

The new building will cost 215 million colones more per year in rent, while the Minister of Transport Randall Quiros has estimated that the country needs 16 billion colones to repair damages from the recent storms. 

In addition, the new building’s property taxes are being investigated, since the owners have declared the building and land to be worth 303 million colones on their property taxes for the city of Montes de Oca.  (about $932,000 at the time) An evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Finance has indicated a value of 3 billion colones for the building.

Local media have questioned whether the amount CONAVI is currently paying to rent a building they aren’t using, couldn’t be better spent on road repairs in urgent sectors such as Barranca - Puerto Caldera, Caldera - Orotina, Palmar Norte - Paso Canoas or Abangares -Liberia.

Perez Zeledon couldn’t make their advantage hold as they lost 3-1 in Alajuela on Tuesday.  On Thursday, Saprissa tied at Olimpia in Honduras 1-1.   So in November Alajuela will play Olimpia to determine the Central American champion and both clubs now qualify for the CONCACAF tourney (clubs from North and Central America and the CaribbeaN).  The winner of this tournament gets a bid to the Club World Cup in December 2006 in Japan.

Either Perez Zeledon or Saprissa will also qualify for the CONCACAF tournament, they also will have a playoff at the end of November.

Fill up your tank today, gasoline is rising again:

Super 504 colones per liter (+25)
Regular 463 colones per liter (+17)
Diesel 337 colones per liter (+19)
LPG gas cylinder -21.5 liters 7612 (+825 colones)

Regular gas $ per gallon:
463 divided by 489 colones to the dollar = $.946 per liter
$.946 per liter X 3.785 liters per gallon = $3.58 per gallon

Ouch!

Carmen-Pérez Zeledón 1-1
Santos-Heredia 1-1
Santa Cruz-San Ramon Suspended (rescheduled for Wednesday)
Alajuela-Saprissa 1-1
Cartago-Liberia Suspended (rescheduled for Wednesday)
Puntarenas-Brujas Suspended

Next Round, Sunday October 30

Herediano vs. Carmen, Eladio Rosabal Cordero Stadium in Heredia.

San Ramon vs. Santos, Guillermo Vargas Roldán Stadium in San Ramon

Cartago vs. Santa Cruz, Estadio Fello Meza Stadium in Cartago.

Liberia vs. Saprissa, Edgardo Baltodano Briceño Stadium in Liberia

Brujas vs. Alajuelense, National Stadium in San José.

Pérez Zeledón vs. Puntarenas, Municipal Stadium in Pérez Zeledón.

According to a survey taken by Al Dia, 29 representatives would vote yes for the CAFTA pact.  16 no votes were recorded and 6 undecided.  Al Dia did not poll another 6 congresspeople.  Those who supported the pact cited more jobs, more foreign investment, and better relations with the US. Some also conditioned their support on the approval of the parallel initiatives.

The key question is how many votes are necessary for approval, since opponents claim that a simple majority of 29 is not sufficient to pass the treaty.  They claim that 38 votes are needed.