Raw Feed Video: Costa Rica capital on lockdown for Obama visit
Police block the main avenue in Costa Rica’s capital San Jose ahead of the arrival of US President Barack Obama.
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — US President Barack Obama’s visit here is a cause of excitement for Costa Ricans.
After all, he's the first US president to visit this small Central American country since Bill Clinton in 1997.
But it's also making some locals anxious.
For security, and to clear up normally traffic-choked roads, Costa Rican authorities put the capital city San Jose on virtual lockdown from early morning Friday, blocking main avenues and shutting offices, giving public employees the day off.
Some shops remained open. But employees and shopkeepers complained that they’re losing business because of the visit by President Obama, who's here to meet President Laura Chinchilla and to attend a conference with leaders of Central American countries and the Dominican Republic.
More from GlobalPost: Obama's uplifting Mexico speech … and the downsides
The story you just read is available for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
Make a gift today, and you’ll get us one step closer to our goal of raising $25,000 by June 14. We need your help now more than ever!