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Costa Rica commemorates the 169th anniversary of the Battle of Rivas today, honoring the heroes who defended this country’s sovereignty in 1856. Known as Juan Santamaría Day, this public holiday celebrates a pivotal victory against American mercenary William Walker, with festivities centered in Alajuela and across the country. From parades to museum tributes, here’s a …
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U.S. troops will be allowed to deploy in areas adjacent to the Panama Canal, according to an agreement signed between the two nations—a significant concession to President Donald Trump, who has been determined to regain control of the strategic interoceanic waterway. The Panamanian government insists these are not military bases, a sensitive issue in the …
Read more “U.S. Troops to Deploy Near Panama Canal Under New Agreement”
The Costa Rican National Team, La Sele, learned its fate for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup during Thursday’s official draw in Miami. Placed in Group A, Costa Rica will face defending champion Mexico, Suriname, and the Dominican Republic in what promises to be a exciting group stage. The tournament, Concacaf’s premier competition, will run from …
Read more “Costa Rica Faces Mexico in Group A of 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup”
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth floated the idea on Wednesday of US troops returning to Panama to “secure” its strategically vital canal, a suggestion quickly shot down by the Central American country’s government. Hegseth suggested during a visit to Panama that “by invitation” the United States could “revive” military bases or naval air stations and …
Read more “US Defense Chief’s Idea for Military Presence at Panama Canal Sparks Backlash”
Today we meet the northern jacana, a little water bird with huge feet and an interesting sex life. The northern jacana (Jacana spinosa) is known as the cirujano, mulita, or gallito de agua in Spanish. All of those names are fine, but I like what George Edwards, an English naturalist, came up with he described …
Read more “Northern Jacana Birds Walk Costa Rican Waters with Giant Feet and Reversed Gender Roles”
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) of Costa Rica ordered President Rodrigo Chaves on Wednesday to refrain from engaging in political belligerence that could influence the upcoming presidential and legislative elections in February. Chaves, who cannot seek re-election because it is prohibited consecutively, is being investigated by the TSE for alleged electoral bias as he is …
Read more “Costa Rica Orders President Chaves to End Political Belligerence Before Elections”
Costa Rica’s Minister of Justice and Peace, Gerald Campos, has unveiled a landmark cooperation agreement with El Salvador that promises to slash the cost of a new prison by nearly $25 million. The deal, announced this week, follows Campos’ official visit to El Salvador, where he secured architectural plans and technical expertise from the Salvadoran …
Read more “Costa Rica and El Salvador Team Up for High-Security Prison Project”
As a Costa Rican, I’ve always known our little country punches above its weight when it comes to nature. Now, we’ve got two more reasons to brag: Bolitoglossa chiquitica and Bolitoglossa silentium, tiny salamanders we’ve just discovered in our own Talamanca Mountains. With these finds, Costa Rica claims 58 salamander species, putting us sixth in …
Read more “New Salamander Species Discovered in Costa Rica’s Talamanca Mountains”
With just six matchdays of the regular Clausura season remaining, things are really starting to heat up in Costa Rican football. So, we’re kicking off a weekly roundup of all the drama and key moments from the Liga FPD. In the first match of the round on Saturday, seventh place Pérez Zeledón defeated second-bottom San …
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Costa Rica’s exchange rate has defied expectations, climbing steadily after months of stability near ¢500. Two weeks ago, the dollar traded at ¢500.16, but by Monday it reached ¢511.43—a daily rise not recently seen here. Economists warn this shift, driven by declining tourism and U.S. trade policies, could signal tougher times ahead for the colón. …
Read more “Costa Rica Currency Update: Tourism Dip Drives Dollar Surge”