U.S. Strike Kills 11 ‘Narco-Terrorists’ in Caribbean, Pentagon Says

The deadly U.S. attack on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean is a “very clear” message from President Donald Trump to the cartels, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday. On Tuesday, U.S. forces carried out a strike on a speedboat, and Trump claimed that 11 “narco-terrorists” were killed in the operation. According to …

Nicaragua’s Ortega Accuses U.S. of Using Drug War as Cover to Destabilize Region

The deployment of U.S. military ships in the Caribbean is an attempt to “overthrow Latin American governments,” declared Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega on Tuesday, denouncing the anti-narcotics operation as a “circus.” U.S. President Donald Trump had ordered a naval force to patrol Caribbean waters near Venezuela’s maritime territory, claiming the move was aimed at combating …

Costa Rica, Guatemala and El Salvador Eye Historic 2026 World Cup Entry

Six Central American and six Caribbean teams will compete starting Thursday for the final Concacaf spots for the 2026 World Cup, in a never-before-seen final qualifying round made possible by the absence of the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Three direct tickets to the North American World Cup and two intercontinental playoff spots will be …

Costa Rica Debuts 9-1-1 Tourist Police Hub to Boost Visitor Safety

In a joint effort to strengthen security and provide immediate assistance for tourists visiting the country, authorities inaugurated the Tourist Police 9-1-1 Operations Center yesterday. The center is strategically located in the heart of the capital, specifically on the south side of San José’s Central Park. The new operations center will enable an immediate and …

Have You Ever in Costa Rica? A Fun Checklist for Expats & Travelers

Recently, I was hiking in the mountains along Costa Rica’s Southern Pacific Coast. The trail went from gravel road, to horse track, to narrow jungle path… until I realized I was temporarily lost. The squawk of loras (parrots) pierced the morning air, and somewhere in the distance I heard rushing water. Retracing my steps, I …

Fentanyl Alarms Costa Rica as Low-Dose Cases Emerge

Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic drug used for pain relief and anesthesia, has raised alarms in Costa Rica. It is about 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Typically, fentanyl is prescribed to cancer patients or used during surgical procedures. Recent detections in Costa …

What to Know About Costa Rica’s Revamped Cédula Rollout

Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal, or TSE, has announced a fresh design for the national identity card. The updated cédula will start circulating in the weeks ahead, bringing better security and some key changes to what appears on the card. Officials say the move aims to make the document safer and easier to handle while …

The Whale and Dolphin Festival at Costa Rica’s Marino Ballena Park

Marino Ballena National Park gears up for the height of humpback whale watching, drawing visitors to see these massive creatures in action. The park ranks among the top spots worldwide for this activity, as noted by National Geographic. Costa Rica boasts the longest whale migration period, spanning ten months, with peaks from July to November …

Costa Rica’s Unique White Toucan Captures Hearts of Nature Lover

A Spanish photographer named Kike Arnaiz recently spotted a rare leucistic yellow-throated toucan in Costa Rica, calling it a one-of-a-kind find that left him amazed. The bird, known locally as “Tuky,” shows white plumage due to leucism, a genetic trait that reduces pigmentation in feathers but keeps eyes, beak, and other features normal. Arnaiz, who …

Ecuador, U.S. Deepen Ties With Refugee Deal and Base Talks

Ecuador is negotiating a new program with the United States to receive 300 people each year with refugee status in that country, provided they have not committed crimes and have no health problems, Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld said Monday. Without giving further details, the minister made the announcement two days before the arrival in Quito …