Wildlife Trafficking Jumps in Costa Rica, Threatening Biodiversity

Costa Rica is dealing with yet another sharp rise in wildlife trafficking, now our country’s third most common environmental crime. Reports highlighted intensified efforts by authorities to curb this growing threat, which endangers our nation’s incredible array of life. Park rangers and police recently uncovered cases involving species like capybaras, parrots, and reptiles, with five …

Rincón de la Vieja Volcano Erupts in Costa Rica

Yesterday, the Rincón de la Vieja volcano in northwestern Costa Rica erupted, sending a column of ash 2,000 meters above its crater. The eruption, reported by the Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica (Ovsicori) at 7:13 a.m. No immediate damage or injuries were reported, and local communities remain unaffected so far. Authorities are keeping …

El Salvador’s Fruit-Laden Bamboo Pole Festival in Carrizal

To the rhythm of music, the roar of fireworks, and doses of aguardiente, hundreds of Salvadorans carried massive bamboo poles laden with fruit on their shoulders during a traditional festival in the town of Santa María de Ostuma to give thanks for the harvest and pray for a more abundant one next year. The celebration …

Salvadoran Journalist Killed in Honduras Despite Protection

Salvadoran journalist Javier Antonio Hércules Salinas was shot and killed in Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras, about 200 km northwest of Tegucigalpa. Gunmen ambushed him while he drove his taxi, a side job to support his family. Hércules, who worked for A Todo Noticias, had lived in Honduras for five years with his wife and …

Panama’s President Denies Requesting US Troops for Darién Migration Crisis

Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino denied on Saturday that he requested U.S. military support to curb the migration crisis in the remote Darién jungle before Donald Trump returned to the White House, as claimed by a former advisor to the U.S. president. John Bolton, a former advisor during Trump’s first administration (2017–2021), told Spanish newspaper …

Costa Rica’s Tourism Sector Faces Competitive Challenges Despite Modest Growth

The Costa Rican tourism sector, a key driver of our nation’s economy, is grappling with competitiveness issues even as it sees a slight uptick in visitor numbers. According to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), air arrivals in 2025 are projected to range between 2,663,245 and 2,869,809, aligning with planning for international visitors. In April, …

Banana Workers in Panama Reject President’s Demand to End Protests

Workers in Panama at a subsidiary of the U.S.-based banana company Chiquita Brands rejected on Friday President José Raúl Mulino’s demand to reopen roads they have blocked in protest of a recent pension reform. The company, which laid off 5,000 of its 7,000 employees after more than a month of protests and millions in losses, …

Costa Rica Pushes New Law to Protect Coral Reefs and Seagrasses

Independent Congresswoman Kattia Cambronero has put forward a bill to safeguard Costa Rica’s coral reefs and seagrass beds, addressing the growing threats to these critical marine ecosystems. The proposal aims to strengthen conservation efforts through regulation, restoration, and research. Here’s what you need to know about the bill and why it matters. Costa Rica is …

Parasite Outbreak in Costa Rica’s Howler Monkeys Tied to Tourism and Land Use Changes

Howler monkeys in Costa Rica are facing a growing threat from bot fly larvae infestations, and new research points to tourism and land use changes as key drivers. A study by the Awá Science and Conservation Association, the University of Costa Rica, and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) found that Cuterebra baeri, a …

Costa Rica’s Journalists’ Day: Press Freedom in Crisis

Every May 30, Costa Rica marks National Journalists’ Day, a time to honor the vital role journalists play in upholding democracy. Established in 2010 by then-President Óscar Arias, the day commemorates the tragic La Penca bombing of 1984, where three journalists, including Tico Times reporter Linda Frazier, lost their lives. This year, the celebration unfolds …