Wimblu, a creative documentary studio formed by three Costa Ricans, is set to host several events in anticipation of the release of the ninth volume of its magazine, whose main theme is “Language.” The events will explore language from the intersections of ecology, culture, and spirituality through multiple formats (multimedia, short film, text, and photo …
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Former Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli, who has sought asylum in the Nicaraguan embassy, and about twenty others will be tried starting Monday in Panama for alleged money laundering of bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. The trial will be held in a Panama City court starting at 14:00 GMT, according to the Judicial Branch. Twenty-six …
Read more “Panama Trial Begins for Ex President Martinelli in Odebrecht Scandal”
Costa Rica’s coffee industry faces losses of up to 10% as Nicaragua’s strict new immigration laws and unseasonable rains disrupt the crucial harvest season. Recent restrictions implemented by the Nicaraguan regime of Daniel Ortega have made it difficult for many people to come to work in Costa Rica as they historically have. Ortega imposed a …
Read more “Costa Rica Coffee Crisis Labor Shortage Leads to Major Crop Loss”
Relations between Costa Rica and China have grown increasingly strained after the Central American nation’s decision to exclude Asian companies from its 5G network development, a move that has prompted sharp criticism from Chinese officials. Wang Xiaoyao, the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, indicated that it seems Costa Rica does not want scientific …
Read more “Costa Rica 5G Ban Strains Diplomatic Relations with China”
“We must ensure the security of our borders against trafficking and illegal immigration” because it is the “top priority,” Kristi Noem, chosen by Donald Trump as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), stated this Friday before the Senate. “President Trump was elected with a clear mandate; he needs to fulfill that mission,” she …
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Ana Maria had to pay to enter Mexico illegally — or risk being kidnapped by ruthless criminals who have turned the migration crisis into a multibillion-dollar business. As US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office next week with a vow to crack down hard on illegal migration, gangs are using threats and extortion to …
Read more “Migrant Crisis Fuels Billion Dollar Criminal Enterprise at US Border”
The Fuego volcano, located 35 km from Guatemala’s capital, is registering launches of columns of gas, ash, and rocks, reported the institute of volcanology this Saturday, which asked nearby communities and air navigation to remain alert. The “weak to moderate” explosions occur at a frequency of 15 or more per hour and “produce columns of …
Read more “Guatemala Fuego Volcano Spews Massive Ash Clouds and Rock Fragments”
On Friday morning, Costa Ricans protested against gentrification. A group of demonstrators from all over the country gathered with banners and proposals for legislators outside the Legislative Assembly. This group of Costa Ricans assert that the phenomenon of gentrification is displacing residents due to the influx of foreigners with high purchasing power. The demonstrators noted …
Read more “Costa Ricans Rally Against Foreign Gentrification in Tourist Areas”
Sometimes while working with children in environmental education programming, I’ll have a student comment that one animal or another is bad. I always tell them that no species is either good or bad, they’re all just trying to stay alive and pass on their genes to the next generation. Mosquitos aren’t bad. Sharks aren’t bad. …
Read more “Costa Rica Wildlife Guide Confesses Pauraque Pet Peeves”
Last weekend I took a Costa Rican road trip: Perez Zeledon to Dominical, Dominical to Quepos, Quepos to La Palma de Puerto Jimenez and back. The total drive time for the initial trip was four and a half hours. The most difficult stretch now is the first 35 kilometers, starting in Perez Zeledon, which takes …