IAPA Warns of Deteriorating Press Freedom in Costa Rica

An international delegation from the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) has concluded its visit to Costa Rica with a stark warning: freedom of expression and press freedom are under increasing threat in the country. The IAPA mission, which met with media executives and journalists from various outlets, including among others, La Nación, La Teja, Extra, Teletica …

Costa Rica Seeks Tougher Abortion Penalties

The Costa Rican government, led by President Rodrigo Chaves, has announced its intention to introduce a bill that would significantly increase prison sentences for those involved in abortions. The proposed reform to the Penal Code seeks to align the country’s criminal legislation with a more restrictive stance on abortion, prioritizing the protection of life from …

El Salvador Loosens Bitcoin Mandate Amidst IMF Loan

El Salvador, the world’s first nation to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, is taking steps to loosen its grip on the cryptocurrency. This move comes as part of a reform package aimed at securing a $1.4 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF loan, intended to address El Salvador’s balance of payment …

Costa Rican Supermarket Wins Trademark Battle Against Nintendo

A small Costa Rican supermarket has emerged victorious from a legal battle against the renowned video game giant, Nintendo. José Mario Alfaro González, owner of “Super Mario” in San Ramón de Alajuela, found himself in an unexpected legal showdown when he attempted to formally register his store’s name. In Costa Rica, the term “super” is …

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Costa Rica Visit: What to Expect

The new U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, will visit Costa Rica next week to discuss a range of critical issues, including migration flows, national and regional security, and the fight against drug trafficking and terrorism. Chancellor Arnoldo André announced that the bilateral discussions will also encompass the deployment of the 5G network, cybersecurity, trade …

Nicaraguan Forces Mass Expulsion of 30 Catholic Nuns

More than 30 nuns were expelled from three convents in Nicaragua and their whereabouts are uncertain, according to a Church affairs researcher and Nicaraguan media in exile who denounce persecution of religious figures by Daniel Ortega’s government. Lawyer and Catholic Church affairs expert, Nicaraguan Martha Patricia Molina, said that the nuns of the Order of …

9 of the Most Thankless Jobs in Costa Rica

There are nearly a million Costa Ricans who work in what is known as the “informal” sector of the economy. These jobs are characterized by instability, poor pay, lack of social security benefits, and often, poor working conditions. Yet many of these workers are also some of the most visible, plying their trades publicly, eking …

Marine Conservation in Costa Rica Led by Cocos Island

In just one year of operation, the Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance Center of the Cocos Marine Conservation Area (ACMC) has become the most advanced technological hub of its kind in Costa Rica and Central America. This state-of-the-art facility is revolutionizing marine protection, demonstrating a significant impact on safeguarding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Thanks to cutting-edge …

Climate Crisis Puts Central American Food Supply at Risk

Food security in southern Mexico and parts of Central America is at risk due to extreme weather events such as droughts, according to a report released this Monday by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). According to the organization, 14 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean may see restricted access to food, …

Comic Con Costa Rica 2025 is Coming to Parque Viva!

The fourth edition of Comic Con Costa Rica (C2CR) 2025 is set to take place on April 26th and 27th at Parque Viva, promising a unique event full of surprises for pop culture enthusiasts. Fans in Costa Rica can immerse themselves in a vibrant universe filled with comics, cosplay, video games, movies, television, and much …