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No one was surprised. El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, is now officially cleared for indefinite reelection. Congress, firmly under his control, paved the way with a constitutional reform that consolidates his total power. Critics see it as a fatal blow to democracy; supporters view it as necessary to prevent a return to gang violence. Here …
Read more “How Nayib Bukele Consolidated Total Power in El Salvador”
The government of Guatemala confirmed on Friday that it arranged a visit to a detention center known as the “Alligator Alcatraz,” located in a swampy area of southern Florida, to check on the situation of 14 of its nationals being held there. Guatemala’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that 14 of its citizens are in …
Read more “Guatemala Plans Visit to Migrants Held in Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center”
The Canadian government updated its travel advisory for Costa Rica this week, recommending that its citizens “exercise a high degree of caution” due to an increase in violent crime and petty crime in key tourist destinations in the Central American country. The advisory comes at a time when Costa Rican authorities insist that insecurity does …
Read more “Canada Updates Travel Advisory for Costa Rica Amid Crime Concerns”
Today, thousands of pilgrims from across Costa Rica are arriving at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Cartago. They come on foot, some from nearby towns and others from distant provinces, to honor the Virgin of Los Ángeles, affectionately known as La Negrita. This annual pilgrimage, called La Romería, is one of …
Read more “La Negrita: Faith, Unity, and the Heart of Costa Rica”
The leadership of the National Democratic Agenda (ADN) party dismissed the entire executive committee of that group in Guatuso after learning of its members’ alleged links to the “Tómbola case,” which investigates the alleged laundering of money through the sale of legal and illegal lottery tickets. Omar Jiménez, president of the group, recently signed a …
Read more “Costa Rican Party Faces Scandal Over Alleged Lottery Laundering Links”
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a executive order raising tariffs on dozens of countries, including Costa Rica, as part of a broader effort to address what the administration calls “persistent trade imbalances.” The increase will be effective as of August 7 and will apply to all goods imported from Costa Rica that are not …
Read more “Costa Rica Hit by Trump’s Latest Tariff Hike Targeting Dozens of Countries”
In a unanimous decision, Costa Rica’s Constitutional Chamber (Sala IV) has dismissed an appeal challenging the Ministry of Justice and Peace’s reclassification of the closing event of this year’s LGBTIQ+ Pride March as “adults-only.” The case, processed under file number 25-018208-0007-CO, arose after the Commission for the Control and Classification of Public Performances, a division …
Read more “Costa Rica Court Upholds Adults-Only Rule for LGBTIQ+ Pride March Closing Event”
The US State Department plans to allocate up to $7.85 million to assist Costa Rica in deporting migrants, drawing from a fund usually aimed at economic aid for allies. This move echoes a 2024 agreement with Panama under the Biden administration, which faced backlash from advocates worried about blocking access to US asylum. Under the …
Read more “US Plans Funding for Costa Rica Migrant Deportations”
Sandinista commander Bayardo Arce, economic adviser to President Daniel Ortega, was jailed on Thursday after the government announced it was investigating him for corruption, according to Nicaraguan media in exile. Arce, 76, fell from grace during an internal purge within the circles of power. According to Nicaraguan opposition figures in exile, this purge is being …
Read more “Nicaragua’s Sandinista Commander Taken Into Custody”
The Salvadoran Congress, which is firmly in the ruling party’s hands, is set to debate constitutional changes that would let presidents run again and again, thereby ensuring the continuity of President Nayib Bukele. The reform would also stretch presidential terms from five to six years. Bukele, who is 44, has been in office since 2019. …
Read more “El Salvador poised to allow Bukele unlimited re‑elections”