UK police arrest ex-prince Andrew in historic blow to royal family

Britain’s former prince Andrew was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct during his time as a trade envoy, as UK police investigations into allegations emerging from the Jeffrey Epstein files gathered pace. The arrest of a royal family member is unprecedented in Britain’s modern era, and within hours King Charles III issued a rare personally …

High Dollarization Poses Risk to Costa Rica’s Loan Portfolio

Moody’s Local warned that the high dollarization of credit in Costa Rica could put pressure on portfolio quality due to the large proportion of loans granted to borrowers with foreign exchange exposure. This was highlighted by the group of local rating agencies, present in the main financial markets of Latin America, in a recent study. The …

Restoration of Costa Rica’s Teatro Nacional Paused Amid Claims of Irreparable Harm

Work on restoring the Teatro Nacional, Costa Rica’s premier cultural landmark, came to a sudden stop this week after the Sala Constitucional issued a ruling that cited irreversible damage from improper techniques. The decision highlights gaps in oversight for protecting national heritage sites and raises questions about the impact on the country’s arts scene and …

A Typical Day in Costa Rica From Roosters to Sunset in Manuel Antonio

At my recent high school reunion, one curious ex-classmate asked me to describe a “typical day” for me in Costa Rica. I was stumped. After over thirty years of working in a variety of professions here, I am now semi-retired. No two days are alike. One day might include a 50 kilometer bike ride followed …

Costa Rica’s Tourism Minister Offers Condolences After U.S. Hotel Owner’s Death

The murder of U.S. citizen Kurt Van Dyke, a 66-year-old hotel owner and popular long time surfer, has drawn attention to security challenges in the Caribbean side of our country. Tourism Minister William Rodríguez extended condolences to Van Dyke’s family while maintaining that Costa Rica continues to rank as a secure spot for travelers and …

First European Flight Lands in Caracas Post-Maduro Capture

A Spanish airliner touched down in Caracas, reopening European commercial routes to Venezuela after months of airspace restrictions tied to U.S. military actions. An Air Europa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Madrid landed at Maiquetía International Airport near Caracas shortly after 9 p.m. local time on Tuesday. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft arriving at 9:07 …

Cuba Baseball Team Lands in Nicaragua for Prep Series Amid Visa Shift

The Cuban national baseball team has arrived in Nicaragua for a four-game exhibition series starting tomorrow, overcoming recent visa requirements and flight disruptions to prepare for the World Baseball Classic. Despite Nicaragua’s February 8 imposition of visas on Cuban citizens and the suspension of direct flights from Havana, the Cuban squad traveled in groups via …

Costa Rica’s Vehicle Boom Fuels Worsening Traffic Gridlock

Costa Rica’s roads face mounting pressure as the number of cars on the road expands at a rapid pace, outstripping infrastructure improvements and pushing traffic congestion to new heights. With nearly two million vehicles now registered, daily commutes have turned into prolonged ordeals for residents, highlighting a systemic challenge that shows no signs of easing. …

Costa Rica Begins Measles Vaccination Drive Due To Recent Surge

Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health has rolled out a nationwide vaccination campaign against measles following a marked increase in cases across the Americas. The move comes after national health officials confirmed an imported case from Mexico and noted rising infections in neighboring countries. Data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) shows 14,891 confirmed measles …

French appeals court blocks DBCP payout to Nicaraguan banana workers

A French appeal court Tuesday refused to enforce compensation for Nicaraguan plantation workers left sick or sterile after working with a noxious pesticide, over what it called “disproportionate” damages. In 2006, a Nicaraguan court ordered multinational chemical giants Shell, Dow Chemical, and Occidental Chemical to pay $805 million to about 1,200 former banana plantation workers …