The TSE announced that the are prepared to receive 110 - 120 international observers who could be present on February 5th to keep tabs on the elections. This is approximately the same amount that came to the 2005 elections. There is a possibility that more observers may come, due to the participation of Nobel Prize winner Oscar Arias.

The first road blocks to detect cars who haven’t paid the annual "marchamo" resulted in 519 citations.  Drivers must pay a fine of 13,000 Colones and their car’s plates are removed.

Meanwhile the Riteve inspection stations re-opened and long lines of drivers waited not so patiently to take their tests. Some as much as 7 hours.  Having the inspection is a requirement for paying the "marchamo", so procrastinators are taking the technical test so they may pay the mandatory insurance.

President Pacheco has announced the extension of the cost saving measure that requires government offices to open at 7 am.  It was due to expire on January 15th and has been extended to May 15th.  The idea is to reduce traffic at peak hours. 

If you’ve been wanting to head for the Caribbean, this month is your chance as the IMN (National Meteorological Institute)  is predicting a much drier month than January 2005 when widespread flooding occured.

Also, get your sweater and rain gear ready, as they are also predicting a cold front to hit the country over the weekend.

On Monday Alterra reinitiated the remodeling and reconstruction at the Juan Santamaría International Airport.  The work was suspended in March 2003 due to a dispute over the concession.  Alterra calculates that 2 years are needed to complete the specified works and will begin first working on  the new terminal to add waiting rooms for departures, and also the reconstruction of the cargo ramp.