The year 2013 was filled with major events that managed to please even the most demanding news junkies. Readers of the Costa Rica Star, who access our website and social media channels from every continent, showed a keen interest in news on topics ranging from sports to politics and from drug smuggling to nature conservation. The following ten stories were the most interesting in terms of reader engagement:

Snow Job: U.S. Air Force Flies Cocaine from Costa Rica to Miami

The headline says it all. As expected, in the beginning there were many skeptics, but it only took a few days for the facts to be confirmed. Credit here goes to journalist Alvaro Sanchez online news daily CRHoy.com for breaking the incredible-sounding news, which stirred uncomfortable memories of Dark Alliance, a masterpiece of investigative journalism by the late Gary Webb, published by the San Jose Mercury News, about the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and its role in funding the Contras in Nicaragua by transporting cocaine to Los Angeles during a Cold War proxy battle.

Snow Job was picked up by numerous online media outlets, as well as its companion piece: Costa Rica Will Stop Sending Cocaine to Miami. Incredibly, less than two weeks after Snow Job there was this article, US Navy Ship Tows And Sinks Costa Rican Boat Loaded With Cocaine. The U.S. Embassy even went on Twitter to claim that the fishing vessel Capitan Erson did not sink; alas, the sinking was later confirmed and the seized cocaine ended up in Florida.

Rest in Peace and Never Forget: Jairo Mora Sandoval

The cold-blooded murder of a young biologist and nature conservation activist in the southern Caribbean region of Costa Rica called attention to the need for protection of the brave and selfless volunteers who protect our treasured natural resources. Arrests have been made in this case, and convictions and sentencing are forthcoming. Still, the painful memory of this odious homicide continues to haunt the nation.

In 2013, the Costa Rica Star managed to publish some good news that would have made Jairo very happy:

• Jairo Mora’s Baby Sea Turtles Hatch in Costa Rica
• In Memory of Jairo Mora: A Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica
• United by Sea Turtles: Communities in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Sexual Tourism Thrives at Hotel Cocal and Casino in Jaco Beach Costa Rica

This is not technically news, but it really captured the attention of readers despite prostitution not being an illegal activity in Costa Rica. A companion piece, Prostitution in San Jose Costa Rica, and the Price of Sexual Services also stirred up controversy despite the fact that sexual tourists, as explained in those articles, represent less than three percent of all visitors to Costa Rica.

Also worth mentioning: Was a First Lady of Costa Rica Really a Prostitute?, a historical piece that looks at a tender love affair and the idiotic criticism by the hypocritical and cruel “upper class” of San Jose in the 1930s. For all the interest in these prostitution articles, they did not manage to match the attention given to The Gigolos of Puerto Viejo, originally published in 2012.

The Late Nelson Mandela Admired Costa Rica

The sad passing of former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Laureate Nelson Mandela gave the Costa Rica Star a chance to revisit his appreciation for this country, a fact that not many people knew about. The late Mandela once dedicated a book to a Tico diplomat and insisted on shaking the hands of the Costa Rica National Football team when they visited South Africa for a friendly match in 2003; find out why in this recent article.

This Movie Could Upset Online Poker in Costa Rica

Runner Runner, a film directed by Brad Furman, got pretty good box office numbers despite less-than-stellar reviews. What is interesting about this film, which stars Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake, is the involvement of a powerful lobby in the United States:

What does the American Gaming Association (AGA) have to do with Runner Runner and the online poker industry in Costa Rica? The short answer is as follows:

Online poker in Costa Rica = Money; lots of it, and the AGA wants in.

To say that the AGA likes Runner Runner is an understatement. Since we are talking about movies, let’s put it in a phrase we can all understand: Runner Runner is the AGA’s Hollywood moment.

Just a few weeks after Runner Runner, the Costa Rica Star reported on the immediate impact of the film. Fast forward to late December, and we have this interesting job posting on Craigslist:

Online Gaming Jobs in New Jersey

Are you a U.S. or Canadian Citizen? Do you have experience in the Online Gaming Industry? Are you looking to get out of Costa Rica and into the regulated U.S. Market? If you answered yes to all of these questions then please reply to this posting with your most updated resume.

Judging by the above, the AGA was not bluffing when it latched on to Runner Runner for the purpose of shifting online poker from Costa Rica to the U.S.

Open Letter by Paul Watson to the President of Costa Rica Laura Chinchilla

After spending a few months hiding from law enforcement, the Canadian founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Paul ran out the statute of limitations on his arrest warrant in Costa Rica. Mr. Watson celebrated the event with an open letter to President Laura Chinchilla, which would have been better received if he had not chosen to crudely address our head of state by her first name.

In 2013, Mr. Watson (we won’t call him “Paul” because we believe in proper etiquette, and we won’t address him as Captain because maritime professionals doubt his credentials) also wrote Fear and Loathing in San Jose and revisited the Malpelo shark massacre incident in Colombia, which involved fishing crews from Costa Rica. Mr. Watson also called attention to the senseless murder of Jairo Mora.

Gay Marriage in Costa Rica: An Uphill Battle

After the “accidental” passing of a bill that would open the door to legislation that would recognize same-sex marriages in Costa Rica, civic and religious groups proved that people in this country are still divided on the issue. Thousands of protesters have marched in opposition to lawful civil unions between spouses who are not necessarily made up of a man and a woman, at least in the biological sense.

In September a court resolution rejected gay marriage, but there are several legal challenges pending in this regard. In the end, this issue may not be fully resolved at the legislative level in Costa Rica; it will take more court rulings and constitutional challenges for a final answer.

Costa Rica Advances to 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil

In 2013, the Men’s National Football Team of Costa Rica got their desired revenge against the United States with a spectacular victory at the Chinese-donated National Stadium in La Sabana. Subsequent games against other CONCACAF teams cemented Costa Rica’s first appearance in a FIFA World Cup since Germany hosted the tournament in 2006.

The excitement of football fans in Costa Rica was palpable as the team learned of its advancement to the World Cup, but there was some trepidation as the final draw of the first round games drew near. As it happened, Costa Rica ended up in a group that will certainly tax the team with matches against England, Italy and Uruguay, which are all previous World Cup winners and have strong prospects of winning again in 2014.

Guanacaste: A Forgotten Province No More

Although Guanacaste has been experiencing high development over the last few years, in 2013 this northern province showed Costa Rica just how far it has come since its dark days as the “forgotten province.” Guanacaste news featured prominently in the Costa Rica Star, particularly those related to real estate development, tourism, technology, and overall business development.

Not everything, however, was rosy for Guanacaste in 2013. There were major concerns with regard to criminal gang activity and drug smuggling in the region. Water shortages and arsenic levels worried residents, and the announcement of an aquatic theme park complete with a wave pool did not sit well with Guanacaste residents worried about waking up to find out that they have no water. Unemployment grew to worrisome levels that prompted government intervention. In the end, Guanacaste was certainly a newsmaker and it seems poised to continue this streak in 2014.

Militias and Paramilitaries in Costa Rica

In 2013, Costa Rica closely monitored the ongoing militarization of Central American neighbors such as Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama (a nation that recently abolished its military but still receives millions of dollars in military equipment and training of its national security forces by the United States). As this monitoring abroad was taking place, however, mysterious paramilitaries landed in Talamanca and militias formed in the Caribbean.

Months after a report from indigenous communities in the southern Caribbean regipon about foreign paramilitaries landing in helicopters and pretending to be Christian missionaries, the mayor of Talamanca sent a letter to the Executive Branch asking for permission to land United States Southern Command military aircraft for humanitarian purposes. An indigenous leader, however, rejected such proposals based on the fact that the U.S. Army would be involved.

A militia group in Costa Rica, which formed online and disappeared after public outcry, resurfaced months later as a stronger and more organized group led by a former police commander. The Minister of Public Safety remarked that organizing such groups might run afoul of the Constitution with regard to their militaristic philosophy, and that they will be investigated.