At the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, athletes from Costa Rica are doing their best to bring home medals and glory even as violent protests and deep civil unrest are marring the activities. There are 31 Latin American and Caribbean nations participating in this event, which is being conducted at a time when the people of Mexico are deeply unsettled about the unknown status of 43 missing students who are believed to have been kidnapped by police and turned over to a criminal gang on the alleged orders of corrupt politicians who may be involved in drug traffickiing.

The Women’s Volleybal Team of Costa Rica surprised audiences in Veracruz as they beat their counterparts from Puerto Rico in five sets. The Volleyball Team from the island territory of the United States is considered one of the best in the region, and thus Costa Rica was widely seen as the underdog. Nonetheless, Las Ticas prevailed by a marging of three sets to two. Costa Rica will face Mexico tonight.

Two bronze medals were earned by Adriana Rojas and Andrey Fonseca in mountain bike competitions, which are extremely competitive because athletes from our regions have plenty of training opportunities in their own backyards. This is the first time Costa Rica earns medals in the mountain bike category of the Games.

The Games will continue until late November, and there are still many opportunities for Costa Rica to bring back home medals. The events are taking place under heavy armed security; masked protestors in Veracruz stormed the headquarters of the political powerhouse PRI while shouting slogans that indicated their displeasure with the Games being hosted in Mexico at a time when the entire nation should be organizing search parties to look for the missing 43 students. At the same time, protestors emphasized that they do not intend to cause harm or injury to any of the athletes or event organizers, but they demand that the Games be stopped.

Source: El Economista de Mexico