Costa Rica President Confronts Calls to Strip Immunity

Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves denounced today an “attempted judicial coup” as he appeared before a congressional committee that must recommend to the full chamber whether to strip him of his immunity so he can be tried for corruption. The conservative leader, in power since 2022, is accused by the Prosecutor’s Office of the crime …

Costa Rica Replaces One-Lane Bridges as Traffic and Population Grow

As the infrastructure of Costa Rica advances, with new four-lane highways and a series of bypasses around San José that avoid the narrow, congested streets of the city, one relic hangs on—the one-lane bridge. There are about 6,500 bridges in Costa Rica, and it sometimes seems as if at least half fit only one car …

Costa Rica’s Sibö Chocolate Wins Bronze at Int’l Awards

Chocolate Sibö once again stood out at the International Chocolate Awards, the largest fine chocolate competition based in New York. The Costa Rican brand earned a bronze medal in the category of dark chocolate bars with more than 85% cocoa for its Super Oscuro 99% bar. The award was given after a blind evaluation by …

Earthquake Shakes Costa Rica’s Central Valley

An earthquake shook Costa Rica early Friday morning. The tremor occurred at 12:45 a.m. with a magnitude of 4.4. Its epicenter was located 1 kilometer southwest of San Juan de Tibás, at a depth of 5 kilometers, according to the Seismological and Volcanological Network of the University of Costa Rica. “This earthquake was widely felt …

Fan Violence in Latin American Football Spurs Debate on Security and Culture

Images of a fan jumping from the stands to escape a beating as bottles, rocks and seats fly through the air at a game between Chilean and Argentine clubs in Buenos Aires on Wednesday highlight the enduring problem of violence in Latin American football. Over 100 people were arrested over the bloody battles between supporters …

Honduras Community Demands Justice in Environmental Murder Case

Three defendants accused of murdering an environmental activist in Honduras 11 months ago appeared before a court this Thursday for a preliminary hearing, the Judiciary reported. Activist and councilman Juan López was shot dead on the night of September 14 after leaving a church in Tocoa, 220 km northeast of Tegucigalpa. The crime was condemned …

FBI Recordings Reveal Costa Rica Ex-Minister Celso Gamboa’s Drug Ties

Costa Rican authorities continue to hold former security minister Celso Gamboa in custody as U.S. officials push for his extradition on drug charges. Recent revelations from FBI documents detail audio and video recordings of Gamboa negotiating cocaine shipments with undercover agents in San Jose. Gamboa, who served as Minister of Public Security from 2014 to …

Costa Rica Drivers Face Yearlong Delays as Tárcoles Bridge Undergoes Repairs

Those who frequently use the South Coast Highway, near the Tárcoles river, will have to be more patient.  Repair works have started on the Tárcoles bridge, and will take up to a year to conclude, according to government authorities. The first phase of the rehabilitation work on this structure began this week, and for subsequent …

Nicaragua Hosts Historic 2025 AmeriCup Basketball Tournament

The 2025 AmeriCup, the men’s basketball Copa América, tips off this Friday in Nicaragua, marking the most significant international sporting event in the country’s history. Twelve national teams are competing, led by the United States, a perennial favorite, in a tournament set against the backdrop of tense relations between Washington and Managua. Nicaragua, governed by …

President Chaves Downplays Costa Rica’s Security Crisis Amid Record Homicides

President Rodrigo Chaves brushed off concerns about Costa Rica’s surging violence during his Wednesday press conference, insisting the security situation “is not as serious” as critics claim. He blamed judges and lawmakers for the problems, even as his administration oversees the highest homicide rates on record. Chaves acknowledged the killings are excessive for the country …