Shakira Ignites Fan Frenzy in El Salvador with Sold-Out Concert Series

Colombian singer Shakira has fans in El Salvador buzzing with anticipation as she prepares for a series of concerts in San Salvador. The superstar’s arrival marks her first performances in the country, drawing crowds from across Central America, including Costa Ricans eager to catch the shows. Workers finalize the stage at Jorge “Mágico” González Stadium …

Costa Rica Seeks Independent Check on Protected Forest

Costa Rica’s Ombudsman’s Office has raised doubts about a report from the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) on the boundaries of forested lands next to the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge in Limón province. The office, acting as an intervener in the case, asked the Constitutional Chamber (Sala IV) to require an independent review of …

Cold Surge to bring stronger winds across Costa Rica

Costa Rica is set to experience another noticeable shift in weather conditions as Cold Surge #14 moves into the Caribbean Sea, triggering stronger winds and increased cloud cover in several regions of the country. According to meteorological forecasts, the most significant impacts will be felt toward the end of the day and into the nighttime …

Panama rejects China’s threat over annulled port contract in the canal

Panama on Wednesday rejected China’s warning that it would pay a “high price” for annulling the contract that allowed a Hong Kong company to operate two ports in the Panama Canal, escalating a dispute unfolding amid the broader contest between Washington and Beijing. The Chinese government rejected a court ruling that annulled the contract held …

Costa Rica’s president-elect takes cabinet post to manage transition

Costa Rica’s president-elect, right-wing politician Laura Fernández, was sworn in on Wednesday as chief of staff to organize the transfer of power, an unprecedented move in the Central American country, President Rodrigo Chaves announced. Fernández, a 39-year-old political scientist who won Sunday’s election in the first round with 48% of the vote, will lead the …

Costa Rica’s Elections Deliver First-Ever Female Majority in Legislative Assembly

In a landmark development for gender representation, women have claimed 30 of the 57 seats in Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly after the February 1 elections. This amounts to 52.6 percent of the total, making it the first time in the nation’s history that female lawmakers outnumber their male counterparts. The results, released by the Supreme …

Latin American Governments Violate Human Rights Under Cover of Trump Policies

Far from curbing Donald Trump’s assault on the global human rights system, several Latin American governments are using the U.S. president’s policies as an excuse to commit abuses, the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned Wednesday. “With the United States undermining the global human rights system, who will stand up in its defense?” HRW Executive …

Tourism in Costa Rica Starts 2026 Strong Despite Health and Security Challenges

International visitors filled Costa Rica’s airports in early 2026, signaling a solid launch to the winter season. Both San Jose and Liberia Airports reported high traffic from North America and Europe. Tourism officials noted this uptick follows a year of modest growth, with arrivals up just 1% in 2025 compared to sharper increases in neighboring …

OAS Applauds Costa Rica Election Success Amid Calls for Finance Overhaul

The Organization of American States (OAS) has given Costa Rica high marks for its national elections on February 1, calling the process transparent and well-managed. Still, the group’s observers point to ongoing problems with how campaigns get funded and how opinion polls shape the race. In its preliminary report released Tuesday, the OAS Electoral Observation …

Two Costa Ricans Headed to US After Court Upholds Extradition Ruling

Judges on the Court of Appeals in San José have confirmed the extradition of two Costa Rican citizens to the United States to face charges tied to international cocaine trafficking. The decision, handed down, marks a key test of our country’s recent legal changes that permit nationals to stand trial abroad for such offenses. Celso …