Nicaragua Grants Political Asylum to Panamanian Union Leader Amid Protests

The Nicaraguan government announced Wednesday that it has granted political asylum to a leader of Panama’s main construction union, who was facing an arrest warrant for alleged money laundering amid growing protests against Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino. Erasmo Cerrud, defense secretary of Panama’s powerful construction union Suntracs, requested asylum after entering the Nicaraguan Embassy …

Volaris Launches New Costa Rica Flights to Miami, Orlando, and Tulum

Volaris Airlines just rolled out three new direct routes from San José, Costa Rica, to Miami and Orlando, Florida, and Tulum, Mexico. These flights, kicking off in July, aim to make travel cheaper and easier, using one of Latin America’s newest fleets. New Routes, Low Fares The flights start July 1 with daily service to …

Bahía Papagayo Project Clears Hurdle as Court Rejects Environmental Appeal

A $925 million tourism development in Guanacaste is pushing forward after Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court dismissed an appeal challenging its environmental approval. The Bahía Papagayo project, set to bring hotels and jobs to Playa Panamá, has sparked debate over balancing economic growth with environmental protection. Court Rejects Appeal Activist Gad Amit Kaufman, representing the Asociación …

Costa Rica’s Tourism Minister Denies Crisis Despite Falling Visitor Numbers

Costa Rica’s Tourism Minister, William Rodríguez, is pushing back against claims that the country’s tourism sector is in trouble. Speaking to the Legislative Assembly’s Tourism Commission, Rodríguez said, “We’re dealing with a challenge, not a crisis.” But business owners and industry leaders aren’t buying it, warning that declining visitor numbers and rising costs are hitting …

Panama Faces Turmoil as Protests Turn Deadly Over Pension Law

A person died on Tuesday in Panama after sustaining a back injury during ongoing protests against a controversial pension reform, according to an official source. The incident occurred in the town of Rambala, in the Caribbean province of Bocas del Toro, near the Costa Rica border. Authorities have not released further details about the victim. …

Nicaragua Slashes Highway Speed Limit, Public Reacts with Mockery

Nicaragua reduced the national highway speed limit from 100 km/h to 50 km/h, a measure widely mocked on social media as “ridiculous,” with users joking about going back to “ox carts.” The order was issued by the country’s co-presidents and spouses, Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, in an effort to reduce traffic accidents. “We need …

How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Healthcare in Costa Rica

Artificial intelligence is changing the game for healthcare in Costa Rica. It’s helping doctors predict illnesses, make better decisions, and use resources more effectively. This is especially important in a country where the healthcare system often struggles with long wait times and limited access to care. The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), which runs …

Costa Rica Debates Sustainable Redevelopment of Crucitas Region

The Frente Amplio party has introduced a bold new bill in Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly aimed at transforming Crucitas, an area historically associated with illegal mining, state abandonment, and environmental degradation, into a model of sustainable development. The bill proposes the creation of a Sustainable Development Pole in the Northern Huetar Region. Its aim is to move …

U.S. Revokes Visa of Ex-Panama President Torrijos After Military Deal Criticism

The U.S. government under Donald Trump canceled the visa of former Panamanian President Martín Torrijos after he criticized a new agreement allowing U.S. military deployment in Panama, the ex-president announced on Monday. The agreement, signed in April between Panama and Washington, permits the United States to use Panamanian air and naval bases for “training” purposes …

Costa Rica Tourism Slips Again in May 2025: U.S. and European Visitors Drop

Tourist arrivals to Costa Rica took another hit in May 2025, raising red flags for the country’s vital tourism industry. Data from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) shows a 4.7% drop in air arrivals compared to May 2024, with total arrivals across all entry routes down by 5%. This marks a continuation of a …