Five presidential candidates faced off in the final televised debate on Thursday night, laying out their visions for tackling Costa Rica’s pressing challenges in security, the economy, and public services. Hosted by Telenoticias on Teletica Canal 7, the event gave Álvaro Ramos of the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN), Claudia Dobles of the Coalición Agenda Ciudadana …

Read more “Final Debate Sharpens Voter Choices Ahead of Costa Rica’s Election”

Over 30 Costa Rican artists have released a video titled “Voces por la democracia” to speak out against authoritarian threats facing the country. The release comes during the final days of the election campaign, just before the presidential vote on February 1, 2026. The video urges people to vote and highlights risks to press freedom. …

Read more “Costa Rican Artists Warn of Authoritarian Threats in Pre-Election Video”

Venezuela’s National Assembly has passed a landmark reform to its hydrocarbons law, marking a significant shift toward opening the country’s vast oil reserves to private and foreign investors. The move comes amid intense pressure from the United States following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month. The legislation, approved unanimously on Thursday, …

Read more “Under U.S. Influence, Venezuela Eases State Grip on Oil for Economic Revival”

Panama’s Supreme Court on Thursday annulled the concession under which the Hong Kong company CK Hutchison operated two ports on the Panama Canal, a decision rejected by the firm and by the Chinese government, which promised to “protect” the interests of its companies. The ruling comes amid repeated threats by President Donald Trump to retake …

Read more “Panama Cancels Canal Concession as China Vows to Protect Firms”

Aryna Sabalenka moved one step closer to her third title at the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over Elina Svitolina in the semifinals on January 28, 2026. The top seed from Belarus defeated the Ukrainian player 6-2, 6-3 in 72 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, setting up a final against Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka broke …

Read more “Sabalenka and Rybakina Advance to Australian Open Final After Semifinal Wins”

President Rodrigo Chaves has put a hold on publishing a decree that sets clear limits on what general practitioners can do in Costa Rica. The move comes after months of back-and-forth between medical groups and follows recent patient deaths tied to aesthetic procedures. The decree, signed last June by Chaves and Health Minister Mary Munive, …

Read more “Costa Rica President Halts Medical Profile Decree Over Surgery Dispute”

Amazon confirmed that its latest round of job cuts has reached Costa Rica, where the company operates one of its largest hubs outside the United States. The reductions form part of a global plan to eliminate 16,000 corporate positions, affecting workers in areas like technology, human resources, and retail support. Local employees reported receiving layoff …

Read more “Costa Rica Faces Job Losses as Amazon Slashes Thousands in Global Overhaul”

A Russian family sent from the United States to Costa Rica under shifting U.S. immigration rules continues to navigate legal and personal challenges almost a year later. The family, who left Russia to escape political threats, had arranged an asylum hearing in the U.S. before a policy change led to their detention and sudden deportation. …

Read more “Russian Family Deported from US Faces Ongoing Uncertainty in Costa Rica”

Mauren Jiménez cleans houses and cares for sick patients to make ends meet. In her spare time, the 54-year-old community leader does work most people avoid: helping families in Alajuelita bury young men killed in Costa Rica’s drug-linked violence. In the steep streets of her hillside precario in the San José district of Alajuelita, Jiménez …

Read more “Costa Rica drug violence drives killings as election nears”

The Central Bank of Costa Rica has set a deadline for three older coin denominations to leave everyday use. Starting July 1, 2026, the old designs of the ₡5, ₡10, and ₡25 colones coins will no longer serve as legal tender for payments. Officials from the Banco Central de Costa Rica made the announcement this …

Read more “Central Bank Phases Out Old Coins in Costa Rica”