Protests Rise Over Panama Canal’s New Water Project

Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino on Tuesday defended the construction of a new reservoir for the interoceanic canal and criticized those who oppose the project, which aims to secure water supply for navigation. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP), the autonomous public entity that operates the canal, plans to build a 4,600-hectare reservoir in the Indio …

Costa Rica Extradites David Ochy to Panama for Alleged Money Laundering

Costa Rican authorities have extradited David Ochy, a former Panamanian presidential candidate, to Panama, where he faces charges of money laundering tied to the high-profile “New Business” case. Ochy, a businessman, was escorted by Interpol agents to Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela, for his transfer to Panama, marking the end of his seven-month detention …

Costa Rica Introduces New ₡500 Coin: Old One No Longer Valid

Visitors to Costa Rica this month should be aware of an important change to the country’s currency. As of Tuesday, July 1, the old gold-colored ₡500 coin is no longer accepted as legal tender. This means it cannot be used in shops, restaurants, or any other commercial establishments. Although the coin has lost its validity …

Alligator Alcatraz: Trump’s Everglades Migrant Camp Draws Protests and Criticism

US President Donald Trump toured a new Florida migrant detention center dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” on Tuesday, boasting about the harsh conditions and joking that the reptilian predators will serve as guards. The $450 million camp has been built on a disused airfield deep in the Florida Everglades and is surrounded by swamps that are home …

Costa Rica Court Moves to Lift President Chaves’ Immunity

Costa Rica’s Supreme Court of Justice on Tuesday asked Congress — for the first time in the history of this country with a well-established democratic tradition — to lift the immunity of President Rodrigo Chaves, who is accused of corruption-related crimes. In the midst of a clash between branches of government, the Full Court voted …

Guatemala Makes History as They Face USA in Gold Cup Semifinal Showdown

Desperate to show progress under Mauricio Pochettino, the United States is looking to secure a return to the CONCACAF Gold Cup final on Wednesday against an inspired Guatemala side that isn’t content with just a historic run. The match at Energizer Park Stadium in St. Louis (Missouri), kicking off at 23:00 GMT, marks Guatemala’s first …

Chiquita Brands Leaves Panama Amid Protests, Talks Underway to Resume

Laid-off workers from the U.S.-based banana company Chiquita Brands said on Monday that they are hoping for the company’s return to Panama, after it halted operations in the country due to millions in losses caused by two months of protests. Chiquita laid off more than 6,500 employees at its plant in Changuinola, in the Caribbean …

Costa Rica Identified as Key Maritime Route for Cocaine Trafficking

Costa Rica appears among the main maritime and aerial routes for cocaine trafficking between South and North America, according to the World Drug Report 2025 published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The maps included in the report, based on data from 2023 and 2024, highlight major cocaine transit routes in the Americas. …

Costa Rica to Launch Electric Air Taxis for Sustainable Travel in Guanacaste

Costa Rica is poised to revolutionize its transportation landscape with the introduction of electric air taxis, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional ground travel for both tourists and residents. This innovative leap forward comes as a result of a landmark partnership between Eve Air Mobility, Aerosolutions, and Bluenest by Globalvia. The agreement, announced in June, includes …

Retired Nicaraguan Army Captain Sentenced to 50 Years for Treason

A retired military officer was sentenced to 50 years in prison in Nicaragua for the crime of “treason against the homeland,” his family denounced on Saturday, saying they had not known his whereabouts since he was detained by police in May. Retired captain Aníbal Rivas Reed, 61, “was tried in an arbitrary trial and sentenced …