Author: allthingspanama.net

Guatemalan officials arrested 14 people tied to a migrant smuggling operation aimed at the United States, striking a blow to illegal crossings in Central America. The raids happened yesterday in the areas of San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Sololá, and El Progreso. Prosecutors named the group Los Moisés and called the effort Operation Albuquerque. They targeted homes …

Read more “Guatemala Dismantles Los Moisés Migrant Smuggling Network Targeting US Border”

Huntington Beach’s Bailey Turner secured the girls’ under-16 gold at the 2025 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, posting a two-wave score of 13.07 to edge out local favorite Catalina Zariquiey by 0.20 points. The win not only etched Turner’s name among surfing’s rising elite but also spotlighted Costa Rica’s emerging talent, as young Ticos held …

Read more “Bailey Turner Claims Gold in Peru While Costa Rica’s Juniors Make Their Mark”

Wanting to be close to nature is probably among the top five reasons that many folks from other countries cite when they decide to move to Costa Rica. If you drilled down on that topic a bit more, what the majority of people probably mean is ‘comfortably close’ to nature. They’re imagining watching a toucan …

Read more “Costa Rica Snake Prevention Tips for Homes and Gardens”

At the start of Costa Rica’s dry season, thoughts of summer tennis in Melbourne might seem out of place. But as the 2026 Australian Open draws near, set to run from January 11 to 25 at Melbourne Park, the event stirs something deeper for many in Central America. It’s not just about the matches; it’s …

Read more “Why the Australian Open Tempts Central Americans to Plan Epic Trips”

Honduras electoral officials started a partial recount of votes yesterday from the November 30 presidential election. The race remains close, with right-wing candidate Nasry Asfura, supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, holding a narrow edge. The National Electoral Council launched the review of about 2,800 vote tally sheets, covering close to half a million ballots …

Read more “Honduras Starts Partial Recount in Tight Presidential Election Backed by Trump”

Heredia will soon welcome a new addition to its hospitality scene with the opening of the Hyatt Place Cariari/Convention Center. The project, backed by a $21 million investment, stands as a boost to local tourism and employment. Set to begin operations in the first half of 2026, the hotel positions itself near the former Real …

Read more “Hyatt Place Cariari Set to Open in Costa Rica”

Travelers heading to Honduras face ongoing hurdles at land borders, where officials shut down crossings each night. The country’s immigration service halts operations for tourists from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., a practice that stands out in Central America. Most neighbors, including Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, keep their borders open around the clock. This …

Read more “Honduras Sticks with Nighttime Border Shutdowns, Complicating Travel for Visitors”

A U.S. blockade on oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela would likely trigger a steep drop in exports, with experts estimating reductions of up to about 50%. Trump ordered what he called a “total and complete” blockade of sanctioned tankers, escalating pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s government, which the United States does not recognize. The U.S. …

Read more “How does Trump’s blockade affect Venezuela’s oil?”

Biologists at the University of Costa Rica have uncovered 16 new species of leafhoppers after examining insect collections that sat untouched in museums for over three decades. The find also includes nine species newly recorded in the country, pushing the total known Scaphytopius species in Costa Rica to 29. Carolina Godoy and Andrés Arias-Penna led …

Read more “Costa Rica Biologists Identify New Insect Species in Museum Collections”

Fitch Ratings has confirmed Costa Rica’s long-term foreign currency issuer default rating at ‘BB’ and kept the outlook positive. The decision points to steady progress in public finances and solid economic growth, even as global pressures like U.S. tariffs test the export sector. The economy held firm in 2025. Gross domestic product expanded 4.1 percent, …

Read more “Fitch Keeps Costa Rica at ‘BB’ Rating with Positive Outlook”