Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, who is 68 years old, announced he has swine flu: "Apart from the fever and a sore throat, I feel well and in good shape."

After signing various trade deals with Cuba, Chinese President Hu Jintao continued his tour of Latin America with visits to Costa Rica and Perú.

The leaders of Cuba, Paraguay, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Venezuela have all declared their support for President-elect Barack Obama. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega called the election "revolutionary." (via Foreign Policy)

The U.S. has agreed to forgive $26 million of Costa Rica's debt in a "debt-for-nature" agreement. Costa Rica has pledged to spend the same amount on tropical forest conservation.

In a close campaign, Costa Ricans voted in favor of joining the Central American Free Trade Agreement with the U.S.

Apocalypto director Mel Gibson traveled to Costa Rica to consult with President Oscar Arias before donating money to the country's indigenous population.

Weighing as much as four SUV's, the giant stone balls of Costa Rica were made by unknown people for unknown reasons. The Costa Ricans, they roll like that. (via Digg)