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Rincón de la Vieja Volcano Erupts amid U.S. meeting and Farmer Protests.

On Thursday, January 30th, 2019, in Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica, The Rincon de la Veija Volcano erupted shooting large pillars of ash into the sky. The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica first reported on Monday that the volcano was increasing and activity. Costa Rica's National System of Conservation Areas were quoted saying "Communities near the volcano to “be cautious for mud and currents associated with hydrothermal eruptions that expel water from the lake.” The trail to the crater that erupted has been closed since the last eruption in January of 2019. Even though there was no significant damage, the National Emergency Commission (CNE) issued an evacuation of nearby areas. The main damage the eruption causes is making the rivers spew boiling water and mud. The eruption also caused a notable sulfuric smell in Buenos Aires and Gavilan. Rincon de la Vieja is located along what is called the "Ring of Fire". It is a belt stretching across many continents that contains 452 volcanoes. Costa Rica's volcanoes have been especially active in the past few decades with Rincon de la Vieja erupting multiple times since 2016. Another volcanoes that is very active in costa rica is Poas. With this most recent eruption of Rincon de la Vieja, it might signal a chain of more eruptions around Costa Rica's volcanoes.

In other news, according to Tico Times "200 Costa Rican agriculture producers protested Monday with tractors in front of the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to demand greater government support for the sector". Their main problem with the government is that they feel burdened by debts. They are trying to rally for support of a bill in the Legislative Assembly that looks to lessen the burden on indebted farmers.

Recently, protests have not gone so smoothly in Costa Rica. Back in November of 2019, protests escalated into a confrontation between police and protesters at the University of Costa Rica. The confrontation resulted in seven people being charged with crimes. 

The protest was over a proposed bill that students of The University of Costa Rica felt would lessen public education in Costa Rica. The protest quickly turned violent after police approached the protesters to clear the road. The General director of the National Police, Daniel Calderón, was quoted saying "At the point, the police had to intervene." The students were using fire, rocks, and metal objects to block the roads.

Lastly, Authorities from Costa Rica met with the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the State Department for a briefing on the United State's level two travel advisory.

A level two travel advisory is, in a sense, a warning to travels to proceed with caution. The United State's reasoning appears to be the increase in crime and homicide rates around the country. United State's officials described it as "a recommendation given to travelers seeking prevention and that they be attentive to their surroundings during their stay abroad.”

Other countries that were recently updated to level 2 include: Uruguay, Egypt, The Netherlands, and Germany to name a few. Costa Ricans at the meeting expressed their displeasure with the new level two advisory. United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, said that the U.S. would "Review the assessment as quickly as we can". 

However, The U.S. state department indicated that the previous level occupied by Costa Rica will now be very difficult to reach. Although there is much displeasure with this new development, experts do not think this will have a major impact on Costa Rica's tourism. This is being seen as more of a re-distribution of there leveling system.