Month: April 2025

As gang-driven violence surges, Costa Rica’s Justice Minister toured El Salvador’s maximum-security mega-prison on Friday, seeking solutions in President Nayib Bukele’s controversial tactics despite their harsh conditions and human rights backlash. Costa Rica, once Central America’s safest nation, is battling a record homicide rate of 17.2 per 100,000 in 2024, fueled by drug trafficking and …

Read more “Costa Rica Eyes El Salvador’s Mega-Prison Model as Violence Escalates”

Former Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli assured on Friday that his political enemies intended to kill him once he departed for Nicaragua, in whose embassy in Panama’s capital he has been sheltered for more than a year to evade a money laundering conviction. “What they wanted to do was kill me,” Martinelli claimed, without specifying who, …

Read more “Former Panama President Claims Political Enemies Planned Assassination Plot”

A criminal group is extorting small and medium-sized tourism businesses in Brasilito and Potrero, demanding weekly payments of $150 to $1,500 (₡75,000 to ₡750,000) to operate without retaliation, sparking alarm across Guanacaste’s tourism companies. Restaurant owners, hoteliers, tour operators, beach vendors, and vacation rental hosts report receiving threats—ranging from property damage to personal harm—forcing many …

Read more “Criminal Group Targets Costa Rica’s Tourism in Guanacaste”

The United States, under President Donald Trump, has imposed a new 10% tariff on all imports, including goods from Costa Rica, effective April 5, 2025. Announced on April 2 as part of Trump’s “Liberation Day” trade policy, the measure aims to address perceived global trade imbalances but has sparked concern in Costa Rica about its …

Read more “Costa Rica Faces Trade Uncertainty as Trump’s Tariffs Take Effect”

Costa Rica Park officials are hearing reports of companies using social media to offer illegal tours to Poás Volcano through unauthorized routes, despite the national park’s closure due to ongoing volcanic activity. The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) recorded an eruption early Thursday, adding to concerns about safety in restricted areas near …

Read more “Costa Rica Cracks Down on Dangerous Poás Volcano Illegal Tours”

Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, died from lethal exposure to carbon monoxide fumes while vacationing with his family in Costa Rica, authorities confirmed Wednesday. The Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) concluded a two-week probe, pinpointing the silent killer as the cause of the teenager’s tragic death on March …

Read more “Costa Rica Closes Case on American Teen’s Death Due to Carbon Monoxide”

After over 20 years of residing legally in Costa Rica, a friend recently chose to renounce his residency. It was not an easy decision. He likes it here. But when he went to re-up for five more years the Caja handed him an updated bill. It was more than he wanted to pay. There was …

Read more “Why Expats Are Trading Costa Rican Residency For Tourist Status”

UN experts on Thursday identified for the first time 54 Nicaraguan officials, military personnel, police officers, magistrates, and deputies, with co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo at the helm, as responsible for serious “crimes” and “systematic repression.” A report by the Group of Experts on Human Rights on Nicaragua revealed the names of those it …

Read more “UN Identifies 54 Officials Behind Nicaragua Human Rights Abuses”

United States President Donald Trump announced a sweeping new tariff program today, dubbed “Liberation Day,” which imposes a universal 10% tariff on all imports into the United States, with additional “reciprocal tariffs” reaching up to 50% on certain nations. Starting April 3, 2025, the U.S. will also apply 25% tariffs on all foreign-made cars, following …

Read more “Costa Rica Faces Economic Risks from Trump’s Liberation Day Tariffs”

Insecurity and crime have soared to unprecedented levels in Costa Rica, emerging as one of our country’s most pressing issues, according to a new survey by the Center for Research and Political Studies (CIEP) at the University of Costa Rica (UCR). Released this week, the findings highlight a growing public pessimism and a sharp decline …

Read more “Costa Rica Faces Rising Crime and Distrust in Government”