Trump Effect Drives Bitcoin Growth in Small El Salvador Town

Bitcoin enthusiasts seeking to turn a mountain town in El Salvador into a cryptocurrency haven hope that US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House will boost their cause. At one of the many cafes in the municipality of Berlin that accepts cryptocurrency, barista Marcela Flores sees “good times” ahead. “With Trump’s election and …

Costa Rica to Get New Marina in Guanacaste

Say goodbye to overcrowded beaches and hello to a new marina! El Coco is set for a major transformation as plans for a state-of-the-art maritime complex get underway. This ambitious project, a joint effort between the Municipality of Carrillo and the Association for the Development of the Marina del Coco (ASODEMAC), promises to redefine this …

Nicaragua Reforms Create Revolutionary Socialist State Under Ortega

Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo have consolidated their absolute control in Nicaragua: as president and “co-president” they will control all state powers and civil society, according to a constitutional reform ratified Thursday by Parliament. The government term extends from five to six years, and the already powerful Murillo rises in rank from vice …

IAPA Warns of Deteriorating Press Freedom in Costa Rica

An international delegation from the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) has concluded its visit to Costa Rica with a stark warning: freedom of expression and press freedom are under increasing threat in the country. The IAPA mission, which met with media executives and journalists from various outlets, including among others, La Nación, La Teja, Extra, Teletica …

Costa Rica Seeks Tougher Abortion Penalties

The Costa Rican government, led by President Rodrigo Chaves, has announced its intention to introduce a bill that would significantly increase prison sentences for those involved in abortions. The proposed reform to the Penal Code seeks to align the country’s criminal legislation with a more restrictive stance on abortion, prioritizing the protection of life from …

El Salvador Loosens Bitcoin Mandate Amidst IMF Loan

El Salvador, the world’s first nation to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, is taking steps to loosen its grip on the cryptocurrency. This move comes as part of a reform package aimed at securing a $1.4 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF loan, intended to address El Salvador’s balance of payment …

Costa Rican Supermarket Wins Trademark Battle Against Nintendo

A small Costa Rican supermarket has emerged victorious from a legal battle against the renowned video game giant, Nintendo. José Mario Alfaro González, owner of “Super Mario” in San Ramón de Alajuela, found himself in an unexpected legal showdown when he attempted to formally register his store’s name. In Costa Rica, the term “super” is …

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Costa Rica Visit: What to Expect

The new U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, will visit Costa Rica next week to discuss a range of critical issues, including migration flows, national and regional security, and the fight against drug trafficking and terrorism. Chancellor Arnoldo André announced that the bilateral discussions will also encompass the deployment of the 5G network, cybersecurity, trade …

Nicaraguan Forces Mass Expulsion of 30 Catholic Nuns

More than 30 nuns were expelled from three convents in Nicaragua and their whereabouts are uncertain, according to a Church affairs researcher and Nicaraguan media in exile who denounce persecution of religious figures by Daniel Ortega’s government. Lawyer and Catholic Church affairs expert, Nicaraguan Martha Patricia Molina, said that the nuns of the Order of …

9 of the Most Thankless Jobs in Costa Rica

There are nearly a million Costa Ricans who work in what is known as the “informal” sector of the economy. These jobs are characterized by instability, poor pay, lack of social security benefits, and often, poor working conditions. Yet many of these workers are also some of the most visible, plying their trades publicly, eking …