A Guatemalan court began on Tuesday the final hearing in the trial of seven former officials over the deaths of 41 girls in a fire at a state shelter in 2017, a tragedy that shocked the country. The girls and adolescents died at the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home on March 8, 2017, International …
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Costa Rica is projected to experience solid economic growth in 2025, with forecasts pointing to a moderate slowdown but still strong performance compared to many regional peers. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Costa Rica’s GDP growth is expected to be around 3.4% to 3.5% this year, supported by robust fundamentals, sound policies, and …
Read more “IMF Forecasts Costa Rica to Outpace Most Central American Economies”
Our capital, San José, came under scrutiny today after the U.S. president placed it on a list of cities described as having some of the worst crime rates. The remarks were made while announcing sweeping security measures in Washington, D.C., including putting the capital’s police under federal control and deploying 800 National Guard troops to …
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The community of Santa Teresa de Cóbano and its surrounding communities will see enhanced security, thanks to the inauguration of the new Tourist Police Station and its modern facilities. This space will not only strengthen security in a sought-after tourist destination but also provide a concrete response to the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors. …
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Illegal drugs, and the drug trade, are driving factors behind the ever-increasing murder rate in Costa Rica. This is a given. A combination of lucrative earning potential, lax law enforcement, and two sizable coastlines has made Costa Rica a major transshipment point for cocaine. With North America and Europe hovering over Central America like a …
Read more “Why Costa Rica’s Drug Problem Persists and Possible Solutions”
Pamela Warner, the mother of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, has addressed the devastating loss of her son, who passed away in Costa Rica in a tragic drowning accident while on vacation July 20th. Three weeks after the tragedy, she openly expressed her feelings, sharing the impact Malcolm’s passing has had on family, friends, and admirers around the …
Read more “Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Mother Speaks Out After Tragedy in Costa Rica”
Panama has signed a $2.486 billion loan agreement with Japan to fund the construction of Metro Line 3. Officials finalized the deal on August 9 through an exchange of notes between the two governments. The Japan International Cooperation Agency handles the financing, which comes with favorable conditions: a 14-year repayment period, a six-year grace period, …
Read more “Panama Secures Japanese Loan for Metro Line as Canal Tensions Rise”
The outlook for Costa Rica’s tourism sector is extremely uncertain, with the industry already hit by a decline in international arrivals due to multiple factors. Now, the imposition of tariffs threatens to create an even more challenging environment. As U.S. importers will need to pay these additional costs, they are likely to pass them on …
Read more “U.S. Tariffs Threaten to Deepen Costa Rica’s Tourism Slump”
Applebee’s Grill + Bar and IHOP open their first shared restaurant in Costa Rica on Monday, August 18. The spot sits in Plaza Tempo at #17, San Rafael de Escazú. BLT Global Brands runs the franchise for both in the country. The restaurant combines two popular American chains. IHOP serves its buttermilk pancakes and breakfast …
Read more “Costa Rica’s First Applebee’s and IHOP Location Opens August 18”
The United States warned its citizens on Saturday about the risk of investing in Nicaragua following the recent approval of a border security law that the U.S. government and Nicaraguan opposition in exile denounce as a “massive confiscation” of property. Nicaragua’s National Assembly, controlled by co-presidents and spouses Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, approved on …