Dutch media has spotlighted Costa Rica’s growing role in the global cocaine trade, pointing to increased shipments to Europe and a sharp rise in local violence tied to drug gangs. The Dutch Broadcasting Foundation, or NOS, detailed how Costa Rica, long celebrated for its traquility, now serves as a key transit hub for South American …
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The United States is interested in establishing offices of its Department of Homeland Security at “strategic” facilities in Ecuador, where the head of that department, Kristi Noem, arrived on Wednesday. Ecuadorians must first approve, in a referendum set for November 16, whether to allow the installation of foreign bases on their territory, something the Constitution …
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As we all probably know by now, Costa Rica produces some of the world’s best coffee, with its high-altitude farms yielding beans known for bright acidity and clean flavors. Yet travelers often stumble into shops that fall short, especially in tourist hubs like San José or beach towns where quality takes a backseat to convenience. …
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The Costa Rican national team has a new uniform. The Costa Rican Football Federation (FEDEFUTBOL) has unveiled the kit that the national team will wear for the first time. It is the home jersey of the national team, presented ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “A piece that not only dresses the players, but …
American Airlines has started a new daily flight between Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José and Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The service began on Monday and runs through April 6, 2026, adding to the carrier’s network in Costa Rica. This route builds on American’s existing connections from San José to five other U.S. cities: …
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The Costa Rican government has handed a major contract to build a high-security prison to Edificadora Centroamericana Rapiparedes Sociedad Anónima, known as Edificar. The deal, worth nearly ¢17 billion or about $32 million, targets the rising threat from organized crime and drug trafficking. President Rodrigo Chaves pushed for the project as part of efforts to …
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Guatemalan officials revealed that a specialized FBI team will join the effort to track down 16 remaining fugitives from the Barrio 18 gang after their daring escape from a maximum-security prison sparked widespread alarm across the region. The breakout from Fraijanes II prison, located near the capital, involved 20 high-ranking members of Barrio 18, a …
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As we wrote about in an earlier article, authorities struck a significant blow against organized crime today, as they dismantled the South Caribbean Cartel in what officials called the largest police operation in the nation’s history. The raid targeted a transnational group responsible for trafficking cocaine and marijuana to the United States and Europe, seizing …
Read more “Costa Rica Raid Drug Cartel Linked to Anita McDonald”
Our capital draws attention in a new Lonely Planet guide that points visitors toward its key districts. Writer Sarah Gilbert portrays the city, called “Chepe” by us locals, as a mix of art, history, and modern life. Each area brings its own character, from bustling streets to quiet parks. The guide focuses on five neighborhoods …
Read more “San José’s Best Neighborhoods For Travelers Per Lonely Planet”
Costa Rican authorities launched a massive crackdown today against the South Caribbean Cartel, marking the largest police operation in the country’s history. The Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) deployed 1,200 officers to carry out 64 simultaneous raids across several provinces, aiming to dismantle what officials describe as the nation’s most extensive criminal network. The raids …
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