Former Venezuelan Detainees from El Salvador’s Cecot Prison Call for US Due Process

A group of Venezuelans once held in El Salvador’s notorious Cecot prison spoke out in Caracas on Friday, pressing the United States to allow them to contest the gang-related charges that prompted their deportation. Their demand follows a federal court decision this week that mandates due process for those affected. The migrants, numbering 252, faced …

Costa Rica’s Escalating Drug-Related Killings Grip Quepos and Parrita

Drug gangs fighting for control have left 95 people dead in Quepos and Parrita since January 2024, according to data from the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ). The toll edges close to 100 as investigators review additional cases and hospital deaths tied to the violence. This surge marks a sharp rise in organized crime clashes in …

Latin America Doubles Success Shows the Best Path to Grand Slam Tennis

In men’s tennis, Latin America’s clearest route to the sport’s biggest stages isn’t always singles. It’s doubles. Over the past two seasons, the region has produced a steady stream of elite doubles results: Grand Slam titles, Masters trophies, year-end No. 1 rankings and deep runs that keep Latin flags flying high into major tournaments, even …

Costa Rica Launches Campaign Against Elder Abandonment

Health officials in Costa Rica marked December 24 with a fresh push against a growing problem: the spike in abandonment and mistreatment of older adults during the holiday season. The Ministry of Health teamed up with the National Council for Older Adults (Conapam) to roll out an audiovisual campaign that urges families and communities to …

Whooping Cough Spreads Faster in Costa Rica This Year

Health authorities in Costa Rica report a steady climb in pertussis cases throughout 2025, prompting alerts for residents and visitors alike. The Ministry of Health confirms 159 laboratory-verified instances as of early December, up from 45 noted in May. This marks a notable shift from the 103 cases recorded in 2024, aligning with broader trends …

Claudia Dobles Pushes to Reopen Closed Coast Guard Stations in Costa Rica

Claudia Dobles, the presidential candidate for Alianza Agenda Ciudadana, has put forward a plan to reopen two key National Coast Guard Service stations in Sixaola and Bahía Drake. These outposts shut down during President Rodrigo Chaves’ administration, a move that critics say has left coastal areas more exposed to drug trafficking. Dobles’ government proposal focuses …

Costa Ricans Celebrate Christmas Day with Nativity Scenes and Beach Outings

For those unfamiliar, families in Costa Rica mark Christmas Day with a mix of quiet reflection and casual outings, building on the intense family focus of the night before. December 25 serves as a day to unwind after the late-night gatherings and church services of Nochebuena, when most of our Catholic population attends midnight mass …

Air Panama Eyes Revival of Direct Flights from David to San José

Panamanian airline Air Panama has started assessing plans to bring back direct flights between David in Chiriquí province and San José starting in 2026. Company leaders say the move forms part of broader efforts to boost links across the region. Eduardo Stagg, the airline’s president, noted that restarting the route would make travel easier for …

Trump-Backed Asfura Wins Honduras Presidential Election

The Honduran National Electoral Council on Wednesday named Nasry Asfura the winner of the country’s presidential election, capping a tense period of delays and disputes that has drawn attention across Central America. Council President Ana Paola Hall made the announcement during a plenary session in Tegucigalpa. “The plenary session of the national electoral council CNE …