President Donald Trump congratulated León XIV, the first pope from the United States, in a message on his Truth Social network on Thursday. “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has just been named pope. It is a great honor to know he is the first American pope. How exciting, and what a great honor …
Read more “Trump congratulates Pope León XIV, a “great honor” for the US”
In a groundbreaking moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-born prelate, was elected as the first pope from the United States on Thursday, May 8, 2025, taking the papal name Leo XIV. The announcement followed the emission of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the successful conclusion of the conclave …
Read more “Historic Election of First American Pope: Cardinal Robert Prevost Becomes Leo XIV”
A relative newcomer to Costa Rica recently asked me what changes I had witnessed over the past 35 years of living here. I said something about how the number of vehicles on the road had probably tripled, while the population has nearly doubled. The cost of living was up—but isn’t that the case everywhere? Later, …
Read more “35 Years of Change: An Expat’s Nostalgic Look at Costa Rica’s Past”
The Osa Environmental Prosecutor’s Office has received a court order to stop a residential construction project in the Paso la Danta Biological Corridor in Portalón de Savegre, Quepos, after it was found to be illegally built within a protected forest. The ruling requires the responsible company to dismantle structures near a creek, restore affected water …
Read more “Costa Rica Orders Halt to Illegal Building in Protected Forest”
Costa Rican authorities seized 48 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in Tibás, marking our country’s largest synthetic drug seizure. The operation, conducted by the Drug Control Police (PCD), Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), resulted in the arrest of three suspects. The drugs, hidden inside smuggled cigarette boxes, were intended for distribution …
Read more “Costa Rica’s Record Meth Bust in Tibás Raises Concerns”
Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney this evening, signaling that the 133 cardinals in the 2025 conclave have not yet elected a new pope to succeed Pope Francis, who died on April 21. In Costa Rica, Catholics gathered in parishes for Masses and prayers to support the cardinals’ discernment, mirroring our country’s strong …
Read more “Costa Rica Catholics Support Conclave Despite No Voting Cardinal”
“We want movies made in the United States again!” declared President Donald Trump, as he announced a 100% tariff on films produced abroad. Without providing details on the measure, Latin America watches cautiously and with uncertainty about its potential impact. Trump’s wave of tariffs on all trade partners has already stirred unease in global markets. …
Read more “Latin America Reacts to Trump’s 100% Tariff Threat on Foreign-Made Movies”
The United States Embassy in Honduras issued a security alert warning of potential mass shooting threats targeting three locations in the capital, Tegucigalpa. The alert, based on information reportedly received from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), identified Elliot Dover Christian School, the Government Civic Center (Centro Cívico Gubernamental), and an unnamed shopping mall …
Read more “U.S. Embassy in Honduras Issues Urgent Alert Over Mass Shooting Threats”
Poás Volcano’s crater is emitting a red glow, identified by the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI-UNA) as burning sulfur, amid ongoing eruptions. Yesterday, eruptions ejected incandescent material, following an earlier eruption with a 3.5-kilometer ash plume. A Facebook video to be added with this report shows the glow and ash clouds from …
Read more “Poás Volcano Crater Glows Red as Eruptions Persist”
Thousands of students and workers marched on Tuesday in Panama City to protest against an increased U.S. military presence near the interoceanic canal, the potential reopening of an open-pit mine, and recent reforms to the social security system. Students, teachers, laborers, healthcare workers, and environmentalists voiced opposition to an agreement signed last March between the …
Read more “Thousands March in Panama to Oppose U.S. Troop Deal and Copper Mine Project”