US Military Revives Bases in Panama and Puerto Rico

Washington has moved forward with reactivating shuttered military installations in Panama and Puerto Rico to increase its regional footprint. Efforts to do the same in Ecuador failed after voters turned down the proposal in a referendum. American forces have resumed operations at Fort Sherman in Panama, a site dormant since the U.S. handed over the …

U.S. Air Traffic as Shutdown Ends, Easing Strain on Costa Rica Flights

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration lifted its emergency order on flight reductions Sunday, paving the way for airlines to resume standard schedules at 6 a.m. Eastern Time this morning. This move signals the close of disruptions that hit 40 major U.S. airports amid the federal government shutdown, which had rippled into delays and cancellations for …

US Military’s 20th Strike on Drug Boat in Caribbean Claims Four Lives

US military forces carried out their 20th strike against a boat suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in four deaths, according to Pentagon officials. This action pushes the total number of fatalities from these operations to 80 since they began in early September. The strike targeted a vessel accused of transporting narcotics, …

Steak ‘n Shake Opens in El Salvador Accepting Bitcoin Payments

Steak ‘n Shake, the American fast-food chain famous for its burgers and shakes, has set its sights on El Salvador for its first Latin American location. The move comes as the company doubles down on accepting Bitcoin payments, a strategy that has already driven sales growth in its U.S. operations. The expansion taps into El …

US Launches Operation Southern Spear Against Latin American Drug Cartels

The United States has rolled out a major military effort called Operation Southern Spear to tackle drug cartels across Latin America. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the announcement, framing it as a direct order from President Donald Trump to protect American soil from the flow of illegal drugs. Hegseth stated that the operation focuses on …

ICE Detains High-Profile Gang Member from El Salvador in U.S.

Federal authorities in the United States have detained a high-profile fugitive from El Salvador, exposing gaps in how media portray certain immigration cases. Antonio Israel Lazo-Quintanilla, a documented member of the 18th Street Gang, now faces deportation after his arrest in Maryland. Officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement took Lazo-Quintanilla into custody early this month …

Magnitude 4.6 Earthquake Hits Off Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast

A moderate earthquake shook parts of the Pacific coast early Saturday morning, prompting residents in several areas to report light to moderate trembling. OVISCORI recorded the quake at magnitude 4.6, with its epicenter located 19 kilometers west of Jacó in Garabito canton, roughly 44 kilometers south of Puntarenas city. It struck at 6:20 a.m. local …

Costa Rica’s Route 32 Reopens After 12-Day Closure

After 12 long days, the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) announced today the reopening of Route 32, following the completion of debris removal and inspections by specialists. Authorities confirmed that the road will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., provided that weather conditions are favorable. They warned that in case of …

Costa Rica Colón Exchange Rate Dips to ¢499 – Raising Concerns

The Central Bank of Costa Rica reported the buy rate at 499.46 colones per dollar on November 12, with similar levels persisting into the following days. This represents a drop from earlier in the year, when rates hovered above 505 colones. While a stronger colón benefits importers and locals with foreign debt, it poses challenges …