By Wendy Anders

Yesterday morning, a 62-year-old Costa Rican man by the last name of Chavarría was stabbed in the chest in the main park in downtown Escazú, a western San José suburb. He died from the wounds shortly after being rushed to the San Juan de Dios Hospital in downtown San José.

The attacker, a 38-year-old man by the last name of Salas, was detained three blocks from the park immediately after the attack, and was arraigned at the Escazú police station, according to the homicide unit of the Judicial Investigative Agency (OIJ).

According to police reports, Chavarria and Salas were seen arguing around 10 in the morning while both were in the park.

Salas then took out a knife and stabbed Chavarría at least three times in the chest and then fled on foot; local police quickly captured him, reported the OIJ.

Nothing is currently known about Salas, or the motives behind the attack, said the OIJ.

The once rural county of Escazú, San José has earned the title of a U.S.-Canadian colony or enclave. At least 30 percent of Escazú’s population consists of U.S.-Canadian and European residents, according to Costa Rican census data.

Its beautiful mountain views, small-town feel are a big draw for foreigners, as well as Escazú’s proximity to many services, including associations and clubs exclusive for foreigners, and upscale recreation areas such as the first golf course in the region, writes Dolores Puga, demographer, in a 2001 book on Costa Rican demographics.

An increase in violence in the Escazú area over the past year in particular has prompted the U.S. Embassy to issue safety alerts to travellers due to the high concentration of foreigners living there.