All Things Panama

Authorities in Cartago carried out raids on Tuesday in an ongoing probe into suspected harm to the Coris wetland. The Deputy Environmental Prosecutor’s Office led the operation, targeting an agricultural firm, a home, and related land parcels. Officials seized a cellphone, computers, and key documents during the searches, which continued into the late morning. The …

Read more “Costa Rica Cracks Down on Alleged Violations in Coris Wetlands”

Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings on February 19, 2026, called on the Panamanian government to open talks aimed at allowing its subsidiary to keep running two key ports at the ends of the Panama Canal. The request came from Alejandro Kouruklis, spokesperson for Panama Ports Company, the Hutchison unit that has operated the Balboa …

Read more “CK Hutchison Requests Negotiations with Panama over Canal Ports”

President Rodrigo Chaves and President-elect Laura Fernández plan to attend a high-level summit in Florida next month, hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump. The gathering, set for March 7, focuses on regional security threats like drug trafficking and organized crime. Chaves shared details during his weekly press conference on Wednesday. He described the event as …

Read more “Costa Rica Leaders Head to Trump Summit for Security Boost”

Britain’s former prince Andrew was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct during his time as a trade envoy, as UK police investigations into allegations emerging from the Jeffrey Epstein files gathered pace. The arrest of a royal family member is unprecedented in Britain’s modern era, and within hours King Charles III issued a rare personally …

Read more “UK police arrest ex-prince Andrew in historic blow to royal family”

Moody’s Local warned that the high dollarization of credit in Costa Rica could put pressure on portfolio quality due to the large proportion of loans granted to borrowers with foreign exchange exposure. This was highlighted by the group of local rating agencies, present in the main financial markets of Latin America, in a recent study. The …

Read more “High Dollarization Poses Risk to Costa Rica’s Loan Portfolio”

Work on restoring the Teatro Nacional, Costa Rica’s premier cultural landmark, came to a sudden stop this week after the Sala Constitucional issued a ruling that cited irreversible damage from improper techniques. The decision highlights gaps in oversight for protecting national heritage sites and raises questions about the impact on the country’s arts scene and …

Read more “Restoration of Costa Rica’s Teatro Nacional Paused Amid Claims of Irreparable Harm”

At my recent high school reunion, one curious ex-classmate asked me to describe a “typical day” for me in Costa Rica. I was stumped. After over thirty years of working in a variety of professions here, I am now semi-retired. No two days are alike. One day might include a 50 kilometer bike ride followed …

Read more “A Typical Day in Costa Rica From Roosters to Sunset in Manuel Antonio”

The murder of U.S. citizen Kurt Van Dyke, a 66-year-old hotel owner and popular long time surfer, has drawn attention to security challenges in the Caribbean side of our country. Tourism Minister William Rodríguez extended condolences to Van Dyke’s family while maintaining that Costa Rica continues to rank as a secure spot for travelers and …

Read more “Costa Rica’s Tourism Minister Offers Condolences After U.S. Hotel Owner’s Death”

A Spanish airliner touched down in Caracas, reopening European commercial routes to Venezuela after months of airspace restrictions tied to U.S. military actions. An Air Europa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Madrid landed at Maiquetía International Airport near Caracas shortly after 9 p.m. local time on Tuesday. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft arriving at 9:07 …

Read more “First European Flight Lands in Caracas Post-Maduro Capture”

Costa Rica’s roads face mounting pressure as the number of cars on the road expands at a rapid pace, outstripping infrastructure improvements and pushing traffic congestion to new heights. With nearly two million vehicles now registered, daily commutes have turned into prolonged ordeals for residents, highlighting a systemic challenge that shows no signs of easing. …

Read more “Costa Rica’s Vehicle Boom Fuels Worsening Traffic Gridlock”