Author: allthingspanama.net

Costa Rica has rolled out a new ocean forecasting system on Cocos Island, aiming to improve marine safety, support conservation, and strengthen the country’s digital monitoring capabilities. The Ocean Prediction for Costa Rica (OP4CR) project, which started in early 2025, is a partnership between Mercator Ocean International, the European Union, and several Costa Rican institutions …

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US soldiers arrived in Panama yesterday to conduct military exercises focused on protecting the Panama Canal, a key global trade route. The US Embassy confirmed the deployment, stating the drills are part of a bilateral agreement signed in April. This agreement allows US troops to operate near the canal for training and joint operations but …

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At least 330 people were evacuated on Thursday in Guatemala following an eruption of the Fuego volcano, located 35 km from the capital, according to the civil protection agency, which declared an orange alert. The volcano, considered the most active in Central America, caused a deadly avalanche on June 3, 2018, that wiped out a …

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Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court has ruled in favor of journalists, declaring two appeals against the Presidency admissible for actions that stifled press freedom during President Rodrigo Chaves’ press conferences. The decisions, announced yesterday highlight growing tensions between the administration and the media, as Chaves’ hostility toward journalists draws scrutiny. These rulings come amid Costa Rica’s …

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Costa Rica’s Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, a biodiverse gem on pur southern Caribbean coast, is under siege from unregulated development and government inaction. Environmental groups and local communities are sounding alarms, calling for urgent action to protect this Ramsar Site 783, recognized globally for its wetlands, mangroves, and critical habitats for species like manatees and …

Read more “Costa Rica’s Gandoca-Manzanillo Faces Unregulated Real Estate Boom”

June 5th is International Environment Day, established by the United Nations in 1972 to call attention to issues involving the environment. The idea promised us a brighter future, a cleaner world, and an awareness of taking care of the earth. Fifty-three years have passed since the first Environment Day, and we still see garbage pumped …

Read more “Environment Day 2025: Progress, Challenges, and What Comes Next”

Costa Rica’s geographic position and economic openness make it a target for money laundering, primarily driven by drug trafficking, according to the 2025 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) from the U.S. Department of State. Though not a major financial hub, organized crime exploits various sectors to clean illicit funds, posing ongoing challenges for our …

Read more “Money Laundering in Costa Rica: Key Methods and Challenges”

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $1.5 billion Flexible Credit Line (FCL) for Costa Rica, providing a two-year financial safety net. This precautionary loan, equivalent to 300% of Costa Rica’s IMF quota, bolsters the Central Bank of Costa Rica’s (BCCR) ability to manage potential economic shocks. The IMF commended Costa Rica’s strong policy framework, …

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Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano has been putting on a fiery show, with its crater glowing red from burning sulfur and molten rocks. Scientists from the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI-UNA) and the University of Costa Rica (UCR) have been tracking this incandescence—visible light from rocks heated above 500°C—since late April. Recent reports …

Read more “Costa Rica Volcano Update: Poás Glows Red, Alerts Shift”

Six Central American national teams, including Costa Rica, Panama, and Honduras, will seek to strengthen their chances of reaching the 2026 North American World Cup this week as the second round of the CONCACAF qualifiers resumes. With the tournament expanded to 48 teams, three direct spots and two playoff positions are up for grabs in …

Read more “Costa Rica and Panama Face Pivotal Matches in World Cup Qualifying Round”