Trial begins in Panama over alleged Odebrecht bribe laundering

Former Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli, now in asylum in Colombia, and around 20 other defendants went on trial Monday in Panama on accusations of money laundering linked to bribes paid by Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. Odebrecht pleaded guilty in 2016 in a U.S. court to paying more than $788 million in kickbacks, mainly across Latin …

Costa Rica Tribunal Denies Efforts to Bar Salvadoran President Bukele’s Visit

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) turned down two legal challenges aimed at stopping Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele from entering Costa Rica. The decision came as our country prepares for the national elections on February 1. The TSE ruled that the petitioners failed to prove any direct harm to their own political rights from Bukele’s presence. …

Patient Lives at Stake as Costa Rica’s Night Flight Restriction Delays Transfers

The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) has raised concerns over a ban on nighttime flights at the nation’s airfields, which has hindered prompt medical attention for patients needing urgent air evacuations. The restriction, implemented in October 2025, limits operations at uncontrolled aerodromes after dark, including those vital for ambulance services that transport critically ill …

Property Owners in Costa Rica Face Strict January 15 Luxury Tax Cutoff

Property owners in Costa Rica have just days left to meet the deadline for the 2026 Luxury Home Tax. The Ministry of Finance issued a reminder this week that declarations and payments must be submitted by January 15 to avoid penalties. This tax, known formally as the Impuesto Solidario para el Fortalecimiento de Programas de …

Costa Rica Presidential Hopefuls Unite Against Fernández in Debate

In last night’s heated presidential debate hosted by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones, Laura Fernández of the Partido Pueblo Soberano came under heavy fire from rival candidates. The event, the third in a series leading up to the February 1 elections, saw Fernández defending the current administration’s record while opponents zeroed in on her past …

Panama and US Set to Launch Canal Defense Drills

Panama and the United States will start joint military exercises on Monday to bolster defenses around the Panama Canal. This marks the first extended training session between the two nations in 2026. The program will bring together 50 U.S. Marine Corps infantry troops and 61 specialized personnel from Panama’s National Air-Naval Service, National Police, and …

How Altitude Shapes Flavors in Costa Rican Coffee Beans

Coffee growers in Costa Rica know that elevation plays a key role in how beans develop and taste. Farmers in regions like Tarrazú and Los Santos see it firsthand as they harvest across slopes that rise from 1,200 meters to over 1,800 meters. This difference stems from temperature variations that influence ripening speed and bean …

Madison Keys Leans on Adelaide Success for Australian Open Repeat Bid

American tennis star Madison Keys arrived in Adelaide on Sunday, ready to tap into the success she found there last year. That victory at the 2025 Adelaide International set the stage for her breakthrough at the Australian Open, where she claimed her first Grand Slam title. Keys, now 30 and ranked seventh in the world, …

Honduras Keeps Extradition Pact with U.S. After Trump Pardon

Honduran President Xiomara Castro pulled back the termination of her country’s extradition treaty with the United States on January 10, just ahead of her handover to President-elect Nasry Asfura. Castro made the announcement, stating that she had nullified the diplomatic notes from August 2024 that aimed to end the agreement. She described the move as …