The problem is that as a country it has been difficult to take the adjustment measures, but with or without a loan agreement, they must come, said Shirley Saborío, Executive Vice President of the Council for the Promotion of Competitiveness.
QCOSTARICA – On Monday, January 11, the central government began negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) without a plan B to address the government’s financing, despite the fact that at this time there is no guarantee of success.
“The problem is that as a country it has been difficult to take the adjustment measures, but with or without a loan agreement, they must be made,” said Shirley Saborío, Executive Vice President of the Council for the Promotion of Competitiveness.
This is even more noticeable if one considers that Elián Villegas himself, Minister of Finance, no longer sees the placement of Eurobonds as “essential” this year.
The dangers for the country in case the negotiations are not fruitful are multiple, including the drop in risk ratings, loss of competitiveness for investors, and the risk of default.
On the other hand, the exchange rate is another of the main problems, since it would skyrocket, at the same time that the Central Bank would be pressured to use its monetary reserves, as it did last year for more than US$1 billion dollars to maintain its stability.
Then there are interest rates. Costa Rica’s debt would be increasingly expensive, as it is forced to go exclusively to the local market to access credit, regardless of the fact that the rates are higher than in the foreign market.
This, without neglecting that the expiration dates are usually shorter in the domestic market. In November, 12.1% of the domestic debt had to be paid in less than a year, while only 1.1% was the case in the foreign market.
What to do?
If the negotiation with the IMF falls, is there a plan B? This is the opinion of experts.
Gerardo Corrales, Economist at Economía Hoy: There is no plan B, it would be to flood the domestic market that would skyrocket rates and, furthermore, not signing with the IMF would precipitate capital outflows, taking the exchange rate through the roof.
Melanie Jimenez, Economic Analyst at Cefsa: The Government would have a difficult situation obtaining funds, before which it could resort to options such as swaps or renegotiating the debt, but if a good adjustment is proposed, the confidence of the agencies can even be improved. This would be a complicated scenario, but not impossible.
Shirley Saborío Executive Vice President, Council for the Promotion of Competitiveness: Negotiating with the IMF is an option, and perhaps the best one now; But the important thing is the structural reforms that we as a country take to reduce the problem and ensure that it does not happen again.
Daniel Suchar, Independent Economic analyst: Changes must be made, even if the IMF says there is no agreement; that is, the public employment law, sale of assets, among others, are measures that must be taken.
The IMF deal
The talks with the International Monetary Fund intend to conclude with the acceptance of a loan for US$1.75 billion to help clean up the country’s finances.
This Monday an IMF team began its mission virtually with economic authorities, legislators, private sector organizations, civil society, and academics, trying to find out the actions that will be needed to ensure financial sustainability in the medium and long term.
The main expectation is to generate a minimum primary balance of 1% of GDP in 2023, in order to reverse the growing trend of debt.
However, doubts abound the talks, such as the contradictions in the government’s discourse and the lack of clarity in the measures to be discussed.
This is because legislators warn that both President Carlos Alvarado, as well as Ministers Geannina Dinarte and Pilar Garrido, had advanced the intention of increasing the VAT rate by 1% or assessing financial transactions.
However, just 24 hours after the ministers raised it with the legislators, Elián Villegas, the finance minister, denied that these measures were being considered.
Another issue that generates uncertainty is what will be the position of the IMF officials on the proposals made by the country?
Q COSTA RICA — The first speech of Costa Rica’s president-elect, Laura Fernández, was telling: it revealed both the central purpose of her continuity project and her own perception of the difficulties in fully implementing it.
Her address had two secondary motives.
The first, a necessary one, was to thank the outgoing president for having initiated a structural change in the country. The second, which reveals her own political sensitivity, was to respond to the accusations of authoritarianism that had been repeated in political and journalistic circles during the campaign.
“Democracy, democracy, democracy!” the president-elect repeated at the beginning of her victory speech. But it was a rather polysemous statement. It could refer to the strong popular support for her electoral victory, which would allow her to continue the project initiated by her predecessor, or it could clarify that she would carry it out without overstepping institutional checks and balances, the sin of which the opposition accuses her.
It is also possible that it was a combination of both, something that will become clearer with time.
The central purpose of the continuity project was stated unequivocally by Laura Chinchilla: she proclaimed that “this is the end of the Second Republic,” the one that began after the 1948 war and has lasted until today. This is a “profound and irreversible” change. Thus, this electoral victory reflects the birth of a new sociopolitical model. “Today the Third Republic is born!” he exclaimed.
That is to say, the change of model now has a clear name (the Third Republic). But two crucial questions arise: What causes justify this considerable change? And, above all, will it be possible to implement it in its full scope?
It could be argued that the electoral victory itself, of enormous proportions, after the strong criticisms leveled at the outgoing president, would be sufficient justification for the proposed radical change. But that wouldn’t explain the underlying reasons behind the success of the status quo.
Various observers, Sergio Ramírez among them, assert that this has to do with the drastic change in Costa Rican society: the peaceful and secure Costa Rica no longer exists. It should be added: neither does the Costa Rica with little inequality.
And was this slide toward insecurity and inequality inevitable? What has prevented the Costa Rican political system from avoiding this negative change?
My perception is that it stems from a disconnect between the real sociopolitical change and the prevailing political culture. From a certain perspective On a positive note, it can be said that some political projects can be victims of their own success. This is what happened with the political model that emerged from the 1948 civil war (known as the Second Republic).
Undoubtedly, this social-democratic system was a successful model that established the economic and political foundations for consolidating the most stable democracy in the region.
However, the profound societal changes were not absorbed in time. The confirmation of the shift from a rural to an urban society, the impact of global crises, the radical modification of the production model, the emergence of two spheres of consumption, as well as the inherent flaws of the political culture, among other factors, prevented the full absorption of these changes.
It must also be noted that the established way of doing politics was not without its flaws. For example, the tendency to avoid open dissent.
In other Central American countries, it is often said that if there is anything difficult, it is knowing what a Costa Rican really thinks. The inclination to give answers based on saying what the interlocutor expects to hear had political consequences. effective. Surveys on mutual trust have shown that this trust was considerably low, even compared to that of other Central American countries. And I believe that the break with that style has been a dividend for Rodrigo Chaves.
The problem is that, while profound social changes were taking place, the inclination in the majority political culture has been to insist on the features of the old, successful model. This has fostered a growing separation between those who operate this systemic nostalgia and the discontent of the country’s heartland. Something that erupted with Rodrigo Chaves’s victory in the last elections confirmed this situation.
Chaves’s tumultuous presidency has reflected both his lack of understanding of the institutional system and the resistance he has faced from those nostalgic for the previous, successful model. But the resounding electoral victory of his successor shows that, despite the outgoing president’s frequent missteps, the country’s heartland continues to support him.
However, the transition to the Third Republic is by no means guaranteed.
Chaves’s approach has consisted of reducing or eliminating many of the institutional checks and balances that prevent Costa Rica from adapting to the modern world. And that is the basis of her complaint that, in reality, those nostalgic for the old, outdated model have taken refuge within these checks and balances, and that, in practice, they have prevented her from governing. Her opponents respond that Chaves has sought to destroy the institutional checks and balances that strengthen democracy.
This dilemma reflects the challenge facing the president-elect regarding the transition to the Third Republic.
On the one hand, there is a perception that state reform is necessary. In fact, state reform has long been a frequent topic of academic and political discussion. For many specialists, the Second Republic attempted to address the high level of mutual distrust through a growing tendency toward administrative controls, something perceived by the general population as an obstructive framework that only benefits the bureaucracy and elites.
This explains why Chávez’s discourse on breaking free from this entanglement has received such considerable public support. Of course, his critics accuse him of wanting to eliminate all obstacles in order to promote authoritarian governance.
But beyond intentions, the question remains whether the transformation to the Third Republic is actually possible.
From a legislative standpoint, the new presidency faces three options. The first is to try to use ordinary laws (for which it has a sufficient majority) to produce profound institutional changes. The only certainty this option provides is that the Constitutional Court will have an exhaustive task given the sheer volume of appeals and complaints it will receive.
The second option is to pursue a popular legislative initiative, collecting signatures for a Constituent Assembly. This process would entail a bitter political struggle, potentially compounded by sharp disagreements with Rodrigo Chaves.
The third option, which would take place within the parliamentary arena, involves negotiations with the National Liberation Party (PLN), the only force that, together with the ruling party, would provide the qualified majority (38 votes) needed to achieve a constitutional reform.
This would be a difficult negotiation because the PLN is under pressure from the other progressive opposition parties and could emerge fractured from such negotiations.
In short, two scenarios are emerging. The first is to clearly establish whether a structural change to the political system, which the ruling party currently refers to as the Third Republic, is possible without abandoning the basic principles of democracy. And to know if this is possible in the complex political conditions in which the new president finds herself, facing opposition political forces fueled by intense resentment and under the watchful eye of the outgoing president.
The government transition is set for May 8, 2026. On that day, Laura Fernandez assumes the presidency, while Rodrigo Chaves is expected to become the Ministro de la Presidencia (Chief of Staff). Fernandez held that Chief of Staff position before the election, and after winning in February, she was nominated by Chaves to again fill the role.
Q24N (LatinAmerica21) — Latin America and the Caribbean is a region shaped by multiple transitions. While the term has traditionally been used to refer to transitions toward democracy, today the notion extends far beyond the political sphere.
We speak of energy, ecosocial, urban, and digital transitions, among others, to underscore that change entails not only new resources or technologies, but also the transformation of productive models, consumption patterns, and worldviews.
In the most unequal region on the planet, one expression that has gained increasing prominence and urgency is that of a just transition. According to the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), the richest 10 percent concentrate 77 percent of the region’s wealth.
In this context, any process of change faces a central challenge: ensuring that transitions do not deepen historical inequalities but rather pave the way for a truly equitable transformation.
Why speak of just transitions today?
The climate crisis we are confronting is also a crisis of inequality. According to a 2025 Oxfam report, ultra-wealthy individuals and large corporations contribute disproportionately to global warming due to their high emission levels and their economic and political power.
Indeed, 86 percent of the wealthiest 0.1 percent of the world’s population reside in the Global North, while climate change disproportionately affects countries in the Global South and historically marginalized groups such as indigenous peoples, afro-descendants, and women. In this sense, the climate crisis functions as a multiplier of inequalities.
In light of this scenario, it is urgent to articulate diverse forms of knowledge and rethink the organization of our societies within planetary boundaries. Although many sectors argue that the energy transition and so-called green capitalism offer comprehensive solutions, in practice these labels often mask a new race, driven largely by governments and corporations in the Global North, for rare earths, strategic minerals, and renewable energy sources to produce batteries, electric vehicles, and power technologies such as artificial intelligence.
The paradox is evident: manufacturing these “green” solutions requires vast amounts of energy and minerals extracted from the Global South, intensifying socio-environmental impacts and conflicts while reproducing historical dependencies. Rather than overcoming asymmetries, current energy transition proposals, as they are being implemented, tend to deepen inequalities and consolidate new forms of green colonialism.
Amid rising geopolitical tensions and competition for strategic resources, Latin America, rich in lithium, oil, copper, and rare earths, has become a contested territory among major powers, reinforcing its peripheral role as an exporter of natural resources to China and the United States. Forebodingly, the recent U.S. military intervention in Venezuela and control over the country’s oil reserves, in blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law, sets a troubling precedent for the region.
At the same time, despite the severe impacts of the climate crisis, climate denialism, disinformation, and efforts to delay or obstruct effective action against global warming persist. The United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and environmental and climate deregulation processes promoted by countries such as India, Argentina, and Ecuador jeopardize the ecological advances achieved in recent decades. To avert a deeper catastrophe, it is imperative to advance toward an economic, political, and social model that is genuinely sustainable.
Implications of a Just Transition in Latin America and the Caribbean
The concept of a “just transition” originates in labor movement struggles and emerged in the 1980s, when U.S. unions in fossil fuel–dependent industries used the term to defend workers affected by or losing their jobs due to new environmental regulations. The concept emphasizes the need to consider who wins and who loses in a transition process, as well as the benefits and negative impacts it generates.
In recent years, the concept has gained centrality in global climate debates, highlighting that the path toward decarbonization must place society as a whole: communities, workers, and historically marginalized groups, at its core. Although its interpretation varies across countries and regions, the principle is clear: no transformation process will be legitimate if it leaves entire sectors behind.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, addressing the climate crisis and advancing toward a sustainable, low-carbon economy will require annual investments ranging from US$470 billion to US$1.3 trillion (equivalent to 7–19 percent of regional GDP) in infrastructure and social spending, an undertaking with profound economic and social implications. Among other effects, this shift will entail the closure of fossil fuel–related companies, geographic changes in production patterns, and job losses in certain sectors, while generating new opportunities in areas such as renewable energy. It will also require higher levels of training and the development of new worker competencies.
Phasing out fossil fuels will affect regional infrastructure and production systems, as well as the cost of living, potentially increasing food and transportation prices. At the same time, it may reduce fiscal revenues available to finance social investments, posing additional challenges for states.
In this context, countries in the region must ensure that these processes are carefully planned, participatory, and just, and that their benefits are equitably distributed. Simultaneously, it is crucial to anticipate negative impacts and adopt measures to mitigate and compensate for them through social protection, redistributive, and employment policies, particularly targeting low-income households and historically marginalized groups.
Far from being merely an ideal, concrete proposals have emerged from Latin America and the Caribbean. One such initiative is the Ecosocial and Intercultural Pact of the South, which argues that a genuine transition must be more than energy or technological change; it must constitute a comprehensive transformation of the socioecological regime aimed at guaranteeing dignified living conditions, placing social justice and the fight against inequality at the center. Without this commitment, the transition will be incomplete and ineffective.
Q COSTARICA — The Nadia Peraza case in Costa Rica has drawn significant attention due to its disturbing details and ongoing trial. Nadia Peraza, a young woman, was murdered, and the case has unveiled chilling forensic evidence.
Her remains were found wrapped in aluminum foil and stored inside plastic food containers. Nadia Peraza’s feet, genitals, and breasts were not found when forensic doctors entered the house in San Pablo de Heredia. The refrigerator where the accused murderer had her dismembered body was located there.
These body parts were also missing from the bag found on a vacant lot in Bajo de los Molinos, San Rafael.
Forensic experts confirmed that fingerprints found at the crime scene belonged to Nadia Peraza herself, strengthening the case against the accused.
This was stated by Emily Solano González, a forensic doctor who was one of those in charge of processing the case at both locations.
Solano was in courtroom number 4 at the Heredia Courthouse on Tuesday, as part of the trial against Jeremy Buzano Paisano, Peraza’s alleged murderer.
Jeremy Buzano Paisano, Peraza’s alleged murderer, under the watchfull eyes of prison guards in the San José courtroom
During the hearing, photographs of what was found in the refrigerator and the bag were presented, which is why Marilyn Espinoza, Peraza’s mother, decided to leave the courtroom.
On Friday, May 17, 2024, when Solano first entered the house with a multidisciplinary team, they found body parts inside garments folded in a “methodical and systematic” manner, as she described to the judges.
In other words, they weren’t folded haphazardly, but meticulously. The garments were women’s.
“In a pair of jeans folded over itself, one leg was tucked inside the other in a very systematic way, to the point that it had to be taken apart, and inside was a bone,” the forensic expert explained.
The tibia, a patella, bone fragments, the head, and the thorax were found in the refrigerator.
In addition, there were plastic containers with multiple tissue fragments, according to Solano.
All of these remains entered through the container’s opening, as there were no other openings.
In the bag found on the property, they located the left hand and another plastic container, also containing tissue.
The medical examiner estimated that it took “a long time” to reach that level of dismemberment and stated that she had never seen a case of that magnitude.
The case has drawn comparisons to notorious serial killers like Ted Bundy due to the extreme cruelty and alleged behaviors of the suspect.
Paisano faces 21 crimes, including femicide, identity theft (for allegedly using Nadia’s phone to simulate she was still alive), computer fraud and, including femicide and allegations of cannibalism. The family’s legal representation is seeking a total sentence of 196 years in prison.
The accused’s defense attorney argues that Paisano is innocent, suffers from mental health issues and has accused the prosecution of influencing witness testimonies, but the weight of forensic evidence remains central to the proceedings.
This case has gripped the Costa Rican public and media, highlighting issues of violence against women and the brutal nature of the crime involved, capturing public attention not only for its tragic nature but also for the detailed and thorough legal process unfolding in Costa Rica’s justice system as it grapples with femicide, a crime of growing concern in the country.
The trial continues as the court examines the full scope of evidence and testimonies to reach a verdict.
Q COSTARICA — The subtropical jet stream, a high-altitude air current, is acting as a barrier, preventing cold fronts from descending into Central America and the Caribbean.
This phenomenon helps explain why several cold air systems have failed to directly impact Costa Rica in recent months.
This was explained by Rodrigo Castillo, a researcher at the Center for Geophysical Research and the Laboratory of Atmospheric Engineering and Physics at the University of Costa Rica (UCR).
This atmospheric current has intensified over Mexico.
“Furthermore, the subtropical jet stream is beginning to strengthen and acts as a block, preventing potential cold fronts from descending to tropical latitudes or even entering the Caribbean basin,” Castillo explained.
According to the expert, the strengthening of the jet stream began in March and is mainly due to changes associated with the transition of the La Niña phenomenon to a neutral phase.
“During La Niña, the cooling of the equatorial Pacific waters modifies tropical atmospheric circulation and can alter the distribution of rainfall and temperatures in different regions of the planet, including Central America,” he explained.
Effects
According to the expert, the subtropical jet stream is a very strong air current that, when it intensifies, can:
Modify the trajectory of weather systems
Limit the movement of cold air masses toward regions closer to the tropics
In the case of Central America, its strengthening can prevent cold fronts from the Northern Hemisphere from advancing.
This means that, although cold fronts will continue to occur, their direct influence on the country may be less.
Cold Air Outbreaks
According to the national weather service, the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN), the 2025-2026 cold air outbreak season is progressing as expected.
The seasonal forecast indicates that the following values are typically recorded:
22 cold air outbreaks between October and April
16 outbreaks between November and February
To date, 15 cold air outbreaks have been recorded in the Caribbean, but only two cold fronts have directly affected the national territory.
According to Karina Hernández, from the IMN’s Climatology Unit, not all of these systems directly impact the country.
“Cold air outbreaks are masses of cold air that move toward the Caribbean, but we only refer to a cold front when that system directly reaches the national territory,” she explained.
“Normally one or two cold fronts arrive in Costa Rica per season, so the two events recorded this year (one in January and another in February) are within expectations,” Hernández added.
Wind and Cold Weather
Although the impact of these weather systems has been limited in terms of rainfall, changes in the perceived temperature were noticeable.
This occurred during the first two months of 2026, when historically low temperatures were even recorded during the dry season.
“When these events occur, the most noticeable effects in the country are usually stronger winds and a drop in temperatures, especially in the Central Valley and mountainous regions,” noted the expert from the National Meteorological Institute (IMN).
“In the Caribbean, on the other hand, rainfall associated with the passage of these cold air masses is more common,” added Hernández.
According to the IMN forecast, a cold front is possible in the coming months due to its late start.
A fireball rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted an area in Beirut’s southern suburbs overnight March 10 to 11, 2026. (Photo by FADEL itani / AFP) / ATTENTION EDITORS: PHOTO TAKEN WITH APPROVAL FROM THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND ISLAMIC GUIDANCE (ERSHAD) --
AFP COVERS THE WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST THROUGH ITS EXTENSIVE REGIONAL NETWORK, INCLUDING BUREAUS IN TEHRAN, JERUSALEM, AND SEVERAL NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. SINCE THE START OF THE CONFLICT, JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN WORKING UNDER INCREASINGLY RESTRICTIVE CONDITIONS. AUTHORITIES IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES HAVE LIMITED REPORTERS' MOVEMENTS, PHOTO AND LIVE VIDEO COVERAGE FROM SENSITIVE LOCATIONS. SOME GOVERNMENTS AND ARMED GROUPS HAVE BANNED IMAGES OF MISSILE OR DRONE STRIKES AND OTHER SECURITY-RELATED SITES. /
Q COSTARICA — One of the most characteristic elements of Costa Rica’s foreign policy has been set aside in favor of the United States and Israel in their aggression against Iran.
Meanwhile, the Spanish government is the one raising the banner of “no to war.”
According to Al Jazeera, the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran have already claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people. Faced with this recent campaign of aggression, the Costa Rican government chose to ignore the perpetual neutrality proclaimed since 1983 and has instead taken sides without hesitation.
On February 28, when the unjustified aggression began, the government, through a brief statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed “its grave concern about the escalation of tensions and military operations in the Middle East.” But he also stated: “Costa Rica strongly condemns Iran’s attacks against Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan.”
It suffices to reiterate Rodrigo Chaves’s statements to Milenio magazine: “We are taking a stance with the United States and Israel because we believe they are on the right side.” However, Nicolás Boeglin suspiciously remarked, “I don’t think it has anything to do with violating neutrality.”
The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has taken a different approach, decisively announcing that the United States could not use its bases on Spanish territory to carry out bombing missions in Iran. This earned him a threat from Trump to impose tariffs on Spanish imports.
Last Wednesday, March 4, Sánchez reiterated that “the position of the Spanish government can be summed up in four words: no to war.” He added that “we are not going to be complicit in something that is bad for the world and that is also contrary to our values and interests, simply out of fear of reprisals from someone.”
Just this past Friday, the 6th, he insisted that “this war in Iran, in my opinion, in the opinion of the Spanish Government, is an extraordinary mistake that we are going to pay for,” according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The conflict in the Middle East is spreading to other countries. Israel has resumed its tradition of bombing Lebanon.
Q COSTARICA (Semanario Universidad) The award bestowed upon Rodrigo Chaves by the so-called Zionist Israeli Center of Costa Rica, in the midst of the Palestinian genocide, arrived on March 2nd as recognition of a series of actions that made the president a worthy recipient of Zionist gratitude.
The Chaves administration has had no qualms about aligning itself with the regime of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, from supporting Donald Trump’s highly questionable plan to divide the beleaguered Gaza Strip with Israel, to abstaining in important United Nations (UN) votes, to the highly symbolic gesture of signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Jerusalem and even establishing a trade office in that disputed city.
Note the gravity of the case: all the actions questioned by the Chaves administration were carried out while the genocide was already underway, which to this day has already claimed more than 75,000 lives, according to independent studies published by media outlets such as The Guardian or Al Jazeera.
Rodrigo Chaves receiving his award from the Zionist Israelite Center. (Photo: Presidency)
It was upon receiving the Zionist recognition that Chaves announced the opening of the trade office in Jerusalem and declared that “peace is the only path to the well-being and prosperity of nations,” but that “peace at all costs has proven not to always work. There are things worth fighting for. There are things for which we have an obligation to fight.”
“I announce to you that relations between the State of Israel and the people of Costa Rica will not weaken; on the contrary, I have the honor of informing you that Procomer (the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter) will open a trade office with diplomatic rank in Jerusalem. This is a strong gesture, as Her Excellency the Ambassador can attest,” he proclaimed.
The President of Costa Rica added that “the government will be attacked for this, and yet, even in the current context, we will not back down, we will not retreat.”
And again, just this past March 6th, in an interview with the Mexican magazine Milenio, Chaves said: “Regarding Israel, we are strengthening that relationship.”
He even went further and, regarding the recently begun war against Iran, reaffirmed that “we are taking a stance with the United States and Israel because we believe they are on the right side. I know this is a controversial issue. However, Iran is a theocracy that says it will eliminate the democracy that exists in the Middle East, which is Israel.”
Chaves on the path already laid out
Dr. Carlos Murillo, an international relations expert and director of the Center for Research and Observatory of Development (Ciodd) at the University of Costa Rica (UCR), considered that Costa Rica’s foreign policy is “highly committed” to Israel’s interests.
At the same time, he observed that this level of commitment is not new under Chaves: “Historically, in Costa Rica’s mission to the United Nations, there has always been a diplomatic official connected to the Jewish community in Costa Rica,” something he admitted he hadn’t verified in the case of the current administration.
“I dare say that in all previous governments—I repeat, I don’t know about this one—there has always been someone influential close to the president of Costa Rica. That’s why, historically, Costa Rica has favored the Embassy in Jerusalem,” he said, recalling that Costa Rica was one of the first states to recognize Israel in 1948.
He pointed out that “during the administration of (Luis Alberto) Monge and others, perhaps the one who isn’t as close is Óscar Arias, but (Costa Rica) has had a close relationship and a strong commitment to Israel, especially on Middle Eastern issues, and that’s why Chaves speaks of this US-Israeli relationship, because I have no doubt that he has strengthened it, at least in recent months.”
Murillo, a professor at the School of Public Administration at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the School of International Relations at the National University (UNA), remarked that “we would have to find the reasons for this strengthening or firm rapprochement of this administration with Israel, but the answer to your question is that, to a large degree, Costa Rica’s foreign policy is committed to Israel’s interests.”
However, he did note that the award given to Chaves by the Zionists “is understandable because few governments in the world sign a free trade agreement with Israel, and Costa Rica, in particular, does not have significant bilateral trade.”
For his part, Nicolás Boeglin, a UCR professor specializing in public international law, considered that Costa Rica “is aligning itself more than ever with the positions of Israel and the United States, and this has been the case for several years.”
As an example, he mentioned the establishment of the aforementioned “trade office” (which he put in quotation marks) with diplomatic rank in Jerusalem “and not Tel Aviv,” and described it as “another provocation to which Costa Rica lends itself, by violating the existing international consensus that Jerusalem cannot be considered the capital of Israel.”
In this regard, he recalled that this was enshrined in UN Resolution 181, which in 1947 recommended the partition of Palestine into two independent states, one Jewish (55% of the territory) and one Arab (45%), with Jerusalem under a special international regime. Boeglin emphasized that Costa Rica voted in favor of the resolution at the time and that, since 2007, it has complied with it by moving its embassy from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.
To delve deeper into the topic, Boeglin referred to his remarks made during the forum “Gaza/Israel: From the Information Blockade to the Blockade of International Justice,” in which, he indicated, he offered “some clues” regarding Costa Rica’s alignment with Israel.
At that event, held in July 2024, the academic pointed out the tepid way in which Costa Rican official statements addressed Israel’s actions. For example, he cited an Israeli bombing of a refugee camp, in which the word “Israel” wasn’t even mentioned.
Boeglin noted that “the fact that Costa Rica and Israel are negotiating a free trade agreement doesn’t explain everything. I can’t believe that the Foreign Trade Commission (Comex) has such influence to force a Foreign Ministry to shamefully remain silent about the principles upon which Costa Rica’s international image has been based.”
He then observed that in the electoral context in which the United States was at that time, “Israel is dragging the United States into this madness, and in this same madness, the Democrats are being led to lose the election to Donald Trump.”
He added that Benjamin Netanyahu’s “great hope” “is that his great friend Donald Trump” will come to power, just as happened.
In other words, Boeglin’s words suggest that Chaves’s alignment with Israel is driven by obedience to Trump’s dictates. Note the participation of Chaves and President-elect Laura Fernández in the recent meeting to establish the so-called Shield of the Americas.
Wajiha Sasa, Honorary Consul of Palestine in Costa Rica, regarding Israeli interference in Costa Rican foreign policy, similarly emphasized that “there is a great deal of pressure; historically, there has been lobbying with most of the parties that have governed this country.”
She observed that this phenomenon occurred in both the National Liberation Party (PLN) and the Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), but stressed that in the case of the PLN, “members of the Zionist Jewish community of Costa Rica played a very important role, and we have seen for the past two years that they are like a bloc with the (Israeli) Embassy.”
“I wouldn’t know if Israel or the United States is pulling the strings, but it’s clear that Costa Rica is ignoring international law. What it’s doing with Jerusalem is betraying all jurisprudence, everything that has been decided regarding Jerusalem’s status,” he said.
Sasa also recalled that Costa Rica “was the first country to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel” when it established its embassy there in 1963. Along with El Salvador, it remained one of only two countries to have diplomatic missions there until 2006, when Óscar Arias, during his second term, announced he would correct a “historical error” and decided to move it to Tel Aviv.
“Years later, that mistake was reversed, and now Costa Rica is doing it again de facto with the location of this (trade) office,” thereby “eliminating any possibility of the recognition it already granted in 2008 of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian state’s right to exist and the Palestinian people’s right to life.”
Therefore, he pointed out that “it is evident that Costa Rica is aligning itself with the discourse spearheaded by the Israeli government and fully supported by the United States, which has taken the lead in making everything Palestinian attackable and erasable.”
Q COSTARICA — The U.S. dollar in Costa Rica has shown a strong downward trend, reaching lows not seen since 2006, with exchange rates below ¢470.
Although the trend has been downward, reaching levels close to ¢470, reaching ¢450 will depend on the supply of dollars and interventions by the Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) — Central Bank.
Key points about the exchange rate:
Constant appreciation: The colón has experienced a sustained appreciation process, falling from ¢600 in 2023 to levels below ¢500 in late 2025 and early 2026.
Influencing factors: The abundance of dollars in the market (due to foreign direct investment, tourism, etc.) causes supply to exceed demand, lowering the exchange rate.
Forecasts: Some analysts expected averages close to ¢527 by the end of 2025, but reality has exceeded expectations with a greater drop.
Reaching ¢450 is technically possible if foreign currency inflows maintain their current pace, although monetary authorities typically take measures to prevent sharp declines that could affect export competitiveness and employment.
The Central Bank has intervened by buying surplus dollars to prevent violent fluctuations and replenish its international reserves.
As of today, March 10, 2026, the exchange rate of the US dollar in Costa Rica is at historically low levels, trading at ¢467.59 for the buy and ¢476.82 for the sell.
Reaching ¢450 is not a projection agreed upon by most analysts, who see it as more likely that the value will remain stable or experience slight downward pressure in the short term.
Daniel Ortiz, economist and director at Consejeros Económicos y Financieros S.A (Cefsa), believes that this abundance of dollars could continue until early April for two reasons. The first is Semana Santa (Holy Week), a time when more tourists arrive in the country, putting downward pressure on prices.
The second reason is that the deadline for paying income tax closes on March 16, which causes multinationals to bring in dollars to settle those obligations.
For Costa Ricans and businesses, the key will be adapting to whichever path the colon takes. Whether it stabilizes above or moves towards ¢450 per dollar, the currency’s trajectory will influence everything from prices at the grocery store to the cost of borrowing.
Q COSTARICA — The regulatory authority on public prices and services, the Autoridad Reguladora de Servicios Públicos (Aresep), announced a new increase in fuel prices as part of an extraordinary adjustment for February.
According to the resolution, diesel will increase by ¢17 colones per liter, while regular gasoline will rise by ¢14 colones per liter and premium gasoline by ¢5 colones per liter.
The only product that will see a price decrease is liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with a 25-pound cylinder decreasing by ¢45 colones.
Aresep explained that the adjustment is in response to the increase in international prices of finished fuels imported by the country through the Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (Recope)—the Costa Rica refinery that refines nothing.
The regulatory authority clarified that this increase does not yet reflect the impact of the rise in crude oil prices caused by the “not war” in the Middle East, as the calculation is based on shipments handled by Recope between January 9 and February 12, 2026.
Nevertheless, the adjustment establishes the baseline from which the country could face further increases in international fuel prices, due to the impact the conflict in the Middle East could have on energy markets.
Authorities indicated that Costa Rica should prepare for a potential escalation in the cost of imported petroleum products.
In Costa Rica, fuel prices are regulated; that is, all gasoline stations offer the same product imported and distributed by Recope at the same price. What can vary is the level of service and additional amenities such as a quick market, rest area, etc.
Just so you know, there aren’t any self-service gas stations in the country—at least, not yet. If you try to pump your own gas, attendants usually get pretty annoyed. These days, most pumps won’t even work unless an attendant activates them first.
The higher fuel prices will take effect once the increase is published in the official government newsletter, La Gaceta, and could be in effect at the pumps by the weekend.
Q24N — There is a growing possibility that a potential transitional government in Venezuela, or even the current factions vying for power, will initiate legal proceedings to recover the billions of dollars that Daniel Ortega managed with impunity.
It highlights how Venezuelan cooperation, initially touted as an engine of development for Nicaragua, ended up being channeled through private entities like Alba Petróleos de Nicaragua (ALBANISA) — a joint venture established in 2007 to manage investment funds derived from oil cooperation between Nicaragua and Venezuela — allowing the ruling family of co-peresidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo and their associates to consolidate an economic empire without accountability or state oversight.
Far from being a closed matter, it represents a critical vulnerability for the Sandinista regime. Experts argue that the legal framework of the oil agreements left enough financial traces for international bodies to track the destination of the “missing” funds.
In a scenario of geopolitical shifts, Nicaragua could face multimillion-dollar lawsuits that would not only compromise the presidential family’s assets abroad but also jeopardize the stability of public finances that have sustained the country’s patronage system.
Although the U.S. has been cautious about closing channels in the fight against drug trafficking, the strategy is changing: sanctions are no longer just against the institution but are now directed at key commanders.
In the short term, the murderous Nicaraguan army remains the pillar of the Ortega-Murillo regime, but its role has been reduced to political control and maintaining the stability of power, abandoning conventional external defense.
In the medium term, the risk is total isolation.
For the militaries of Central America, maintaining ties with the criminal Sandinista army already represents an “operational complication” and a high cost to their international image.
Q COSTARICA — In Costa Rica, the presence of women in medicine continues to grow and consolidate in various areas of the healthcare system.
Currently, 6,582 professionals practice as general practitioners and surgeons, while 2,880 have a specialty, according to data from the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
These figures demonstrate an increasingly diverse female participation in the medical field, both in clinical care and in other areas related to the management and development of the healthcare sector.
In several specialties, the number of women already exceeds that of men.
Among them is Health Services Administration, where there are 733 women compared to 659 men, followed by Health Management, with 315 female professionals compared to 191 men.
A similar situation is observed in Occupational Medicine, where 171 women practice compared to 103 men, as well as in Adult Palliative Care, with 165 female physicians compared to 95 male specialists.
Other areas where women also have a greater presence include anesthesiology and recovery, family and community medicine, geriatrics and gerontology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, epidemiology, general psychiatry, and pediatric anesthesiology.
Women’s advancement is also observed in other areas of the health sector, where they actively participate in research, healthcare management, and the training of new generations of physicians.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons emphasizes that making this data visible allows for the recognition of the contributions of thousands of professionals who contribute daily to the functioning of the health system and the care of the population.
“The increase in women in Costa Rican medicine not only speaks to greater equity, but also to the real strengthening of the human talent that sustains the health system. Many of our colleagues also balance their professional practice with family, academic, and leadership responsibilities, which demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to society and to the quality of care that the population receives,” said Elliott Garita, president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Q COSTARICA — The U.S. Department of Defense, rebranded as the Department of War (DOW) as of late 2025, has released a video on Sunday officially launching the Anti-Cartel Coalition of the Americas (Triple C), and at one point in the recording, Costa Rican flags appear on military uniforms.
The video shows President Donald Trump speaking about the coalition they signed last week to combat drug trafficking.
Later, the current Secretary Pete Hegseth appears, explaining the tough stance they will take against drug cartels, while images of missiles being launched at vessels at sea are shown.
Images of soldiers marching are shown, with the Costa Rican flag on their right sleeves.
Finally, the video focuses on Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressing the issue, and concludes with a few words from Trump.
Costa Rica is part of this group for now, given that the agreement signed by President Rodrigo Chaves is believed to be unconstitutional.
Costa Rica has no army, abolishing its army on December 1, 1948, following a civil war, with the decision officially enshrined in the 1949 Constitution.
What we see in the viedo is a fragment showing agents of the UEI (Special Intervention Unit), the country’s elite group specializing in high-risk operations such as counterterrorism, drug trafficking, and hostage rescue, attached to the Ministry of the Presidency and the Department of Intelligence and Security (DIS).
This video fragment is possibly taken from one of their participations in the Special Operations Forces, an annual elite competition and special operations training exercise in the Western Hemisphere, sponsored by the U.S. Southern Command and organized by the Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH). Fuerzas Comando is multi-day event brings together military and police elite teams from approximately 17–22 nations across the Americas and the Caribbean. Fuerzas Comando 2026 is scheduled to be hosted by Paraguay.
Typically, the event features elite units from countries in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, and South America. In Central America, the countries include: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica, and Belize.
Q COSTARICA — The traffic nightmare at the Tárcoles bridge is finally coming to an end. Efraím Zeledón, the Minister of Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT), announced on Thursday that starting Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 7 a.m., the bridge over the Tárcoles River will reopen with both lanes available.
Zeledón explained that the bridge had been part of the PROERI program, which targets projects at immediate risk due to severe deterioration and lack of upkeep—making the bridge a real collapse hazard.
“We came out here today to inspect the progress firsthand. This bridge was on the PROERI list for a reason. Its condition was so poor and maintenance so neglected that it could have collapsed any moment,” the minister said.
For weeks, locals and tourists alike have faced long waits trying to get to major tourist attractions like Playa Jaco and beyond, including Quepos, Manuel Antonio, and the southern region. Work on the bridge ran around the clock with double shifts to get it ready for normal traffic as fast as possible.
“This Saturday at 7 a.m., both lanes will open. The traffic controls that have been causing delays will no longer be needed,” Zeledón added.
That said, repairs won’t stop completely. Over the next two months, crews will continue working on both the top and bottom parts of the bridge. During this time, expect partial closures and some traffic regulation, but full two-lane traffic will already be flowing from this weekend.
Many are breathing a sigh of relief after posting on social media about being stuck in traffic jams lasting three hours or more.
Q COSTARICA — This Wednesday, the Legislative Assembly approved the ley de estafas bancarias (bank fraud law) designed to strengthen the protection of those who use financial services against the rise in digital theft.
The legislation comes amid increasingly sophisticated electronic fraud, which includes identity theft and manipulation techniques to access bank accounts.
Although the law aims to protect users, it has also generated technical debate.
The Superintendencia General de Entidades Financieras (SUGEF)—General Superintendency of Financial Entities—warned that some aspects could conflict with the Constitution or its supervisory model, while digital law experts emphasize that its implementation will require significant changes in bank operations.
Mauricio París, a partner at ECIJA and a specialist in digital law, points out that the law addresses a real concern, but it will bring regulatory and operational challenges that will need to be resolved in the coming months.
Among the most relevant changes highlighted by the expert are five key points:
Clear responsibility for banks: Financial institutions will be held accountable for money stolen from accounts by unauthorized third parties, unless they can prove they took all necessary security measures to prevent fraud.
Formal complaint procedure: Customers now have a specific process for reporting fraud. The complaint must be filed within 30 days, and the bank has another 30 days, extendable by 10, to investigate, evaluating usage patterns, devices, and authentication.
New role of SUGEF: If a bank rejects a complaint, it must send the resolution and technical evidence to the Superintendency, which will have 10 business days to validate the decision, although there will be no penalty for taking longer.
Burden of proof in favor of the consumer: In administrative or judicial disputes, the bank will be responsible for demonstrating that it acted with appropriate security and due diligence standards.
Prevention obligations: Banks must have immediate protocols in place for fraud victims, 24/7 reporting channels, and security standards defined by financial regulations.
“The implementation of the law will depend largely on the technical regulations that must be issued in the coming months and on how the roles of the various institutions involved are coordinated,” said Paris.
Law does not cover credit cards
The new law does not cover credit card fraud. This is one of the main criticisms of the law.
There is confusion regarding credit cards. This law does not apply to credit card fraud, despite some misinterpretations. That is already regulated by other legal frameworks, and it was never the legislator’s intention to include it in this law, according to the promoter of the law, legisaltor Alejandro Pacheco.
The law clearly states that it would only require financial institutions to be responsible ony for transactions linked to bank accounts, including debit cards and Sinpe transactions.
ABC rejects the bank fraud law and warns of legal uncertainty for customers and institutions
The Asociación Bancaria Costarricense (ABC)—Costa Rican Banking Association—reiterated its opposition to the bank fraud law, arguing that the text contains loopholes and creates legal uncertainty for both financial institutions and users.
According to the association, the initiative has generated a false expectation among the public by conveying the idea that banks must automatically refund money in all cases of fraud, something that does not correspond to what is established in the text approved by the legislators.
According to the Association, the text itself includes a specific procedure for analyzing each claim.
Q COSTARICA — On World Obesity Day, the Colegio de Profesionales en Nutrición de Costa Rica (CPN)—Costa Rican College of Nutrition Professionals—warned that more than 60% of the adult population in Costa Rica is overweight or obese.
Among children, approximately one in three is overweight or obese.
The CPN described obesity as one of the main public health challenges in Costa Rica and urged its recognition as a condition requiring professional attention, sound public policies, and social commitment.
Over the last decade, the trend has shown a sustained increase, especially among adolescents. Specialists expressed concern that childhood obesity tends to persist into adulthood.
The groups with the highest prevalence include adult women, school-aged children, and people living in urban areas where access to safe spaces for physical activity is limited.
“Obesity is not an aesthetic issue nor a matter of individual willpower. It is a chronic, multifactorial, and progressive disease, internationally recognized, that involves an excessive accumulation of body fat that affects health and quality of life,” explained Elizabeth Delgado, spokesperson for the College of Pediatricians.
In Costa Rica, this condition is directly associated with diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, some types of cancer, and musculoskeletal problems. It also impacts mental health, limits mobility, and increases the risk of medical complications.
The College of Pediatricians noted that the situation places a significant burden on the Costa Rican Social Security System (CCSS) due to the treatment of chronic diseases linked to excess weight.
Social, economic, and environmental factors significantly influence this problem. The College pointed to the increased availability of ultra-processed foods, advertising aimed at children, long working hours, less time for cooking at home, and increased sedentary lifestyles as part of the environment that contributes to weight gain.
“In many households, there’s a perception that eating healthy is more expensive, especially when the basic food basket prioritizes energy-dense products that aren’t necessarily of high nutritional quality. This shows that the approach must go beyond individual decisions and also focus on the environment,” Delgado added.
Increased screen time, teleworking, motorized transportation, and reduced recreational spaces have also contributed to the decline in daily energy expenditure in the population.
The College emphasized that consulting a properly registered nutrition professional is essential for appropriate treatment. It indicated that obesity requires an individualized approach, based on scientific evidence and adapted to each person’s social, economic, and cultural reality.
It warned that unsupervised restrictive diets can lead to muscle loss, hormonal imbalances, rebound weight gain, nutritional deficiencies, and an unhealthy relationship with food.
From a preventative standpoint, the CPN urged strengthening nutrition education from an early age, promoting the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and fresh foods, ensuring safe spaces for physical activity, and regulating the consumption of sugary drinks.
“Taking care of our diet is not a fad; it’s an investment in health, well-being, and quality of life for ourselves and future generations. Let’s seek evidence-based information, avoid quick fixes, and commit to sustainable changes that respect our bodies and our reality,” Delgado concluded.
Q COSTARICA — Transportation, including air travel for tourists, is also being impacted by the armed conflict in the Middle East, in which the United States, Israel, and Iran are actively involved.
Just as with goods like oil, tourist traffic is not immune to the effects of these episodes of violence.
The immediate impact is felt in the area of armed conflict: the Middle East. International media outlets are reporting the partial or total closure of some operations. For example, CNN is reporting “closed airports and empty skies.”
Amid this scenario, the United States has advised its citizens to leave certain countries where disruptions to airlines, flight operations, or air travel are expected.
The list includes Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
The Scenario for Costa Rica
The Minister of Tourism, William Rodríguez, believes that the armed conflict in the Middle East may initially benefit Costa Rica’s tourism.
The minister explained that, from Costa Rica’s perspective, it could initially be advantageous. This is because, according to tourists, the destination is far from the area directly affected by the violence.
“It could represent an opportunity for us because, with one very specific part of the world affected, other parts of the world can benefit, and we are in that other part of the world that can benefit,” he noted.
However, if this tension in the Middle East persists, the effects would begin to be felt in the movement of tourists worldwide, Rodríguez said. For example, this could lead to an increase in fuel prices (something that is already happening) and, consequently, in airfare.
If this were to occur, the world’s population could begin to postpone their trips, as other basic goods and services would also increase in price. As a consequence, travel worldwide could decrease.
“The shorter the duration, the less the impact will be,” he noted.
Christian Doñas, president of the private tourism promotion agency Proimagen Costa Rica, said that they are receiving news from the Middle East with concern. He believes that the price increases this could entail will affect the national tourism industry.
“A reduction in consumer confidence in markets like the United States, from where the majority of tourists to the country originate, could also work against Costa Rica,” noted the expert.
“We can also add that international conflicts can divert travel flows. This would completely affect the perception of stability in destinations like our country. In times like these, the industry must remain united to face external forces,” he added.
According to data from the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)—Costa Rican Tourism Institute, very few people arrive from the Middle East. In 2025, a total of 1,173 people arrived throughout the entire year. This represents a 16% reduction compared to 2024. This doesn’t even account for 1% of visits.
Q COSTARICA — On Wednesday morning, people woke up to shocking scenes: a pickup truck slammed right into the León Cortés monument on the east side of Parque Metropolitano La Sabana.
The crash happened around 3:30 a.m. The driver, a 19 year-old man with the last name Araico, seen in video footage later that day, was speeding the wrong way down Paseo Colón. He nearly hit a bus, tore through a traffic light, crashed into a concrete structure, and finally slammed into the lion statue, ending up crumpled against the monument.
The statue took a serious hit, especially the lion figure and part of its supporting base.
The driver survived and is now in stable condition at San Juan de Dios Hospital, less than a kilometer from the scene. But his troubles are far from over. He’s looking at millions colones in damages for destroying the traffic light and the monument, which is a protected heritage site. On top of that, he could face one to two years in prison under Article 20 of Law 7555, which protects Costa Rica’s historical and architectural heritage.
That law applies here because the monument was declared a heritage site back in 2001.
The Ministry of Culture and Youth, through its communications office, said the Directorate of Cultural Heritage will assess the damage and file a formal complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Once that complaint is in, the legal system will open a case against the driver.
Martín Sánchez, head of the Traffic Police, said the driver didn’t get a breathalyzer test right after the crash due to his condition.
“The court will later request the results of any tests done at the hospital. The Traffic Police can’t get those results directly from the hospital,” Sánchez explained.
He pointed out four possible causes for the crash:
Speeding
Fatigue
Alcohol or drugs
Mechanical failure.
The traffic accident was one of around 200 that occur every day throughout the country; This means that an accident is attended to every 6 to 7 minutes on average nationwide.
Key Statistics (2025-2026 Data)
Daily Fatalities: On average, approximately 1.5 people die each day in road traffic accidents. These are only the deaths at the scene.
2025 ended with a total of 572 road fatalities.
In the first two months of 2026 alone, the Red Cross has already responded to more than 7,600 traffic-related incidents.
Injuries: During 2025, the number of people injured increased by 15%, resulting in more than 52,000 injuries annually.
Main Causes and Factors
Speeding: This is the leading cause of death on Costa Rican roads.
Motorcycles: These continue to be the vehicle with the highest incidence of fatalities, representing more than 50% of on-site deaths.
Critical Areas: San José, Alajuela, and Puntarenas typically register the highest number of annual deaths.
RICO’s Q — In Costa Rica, the guachimanes (watchmen) are informal security guards who hang out on public streets keeping an eye on parked cars, offering unofficial security in exchange for cash.
While some, through bad experiences—dishonesty, aggression, or tipping off criminals—avoid the guachimanes, their role is vital in areas where leaving the vehicle in the street is the quicker option or there are no formal parking lots or are at a distance. This happens, especially in larger cities where accountability is lower.
In small Costa Rican towns, the dynamic is different. Communities are smaller, and anonymity disappears. Parking is limited, so locals organize informal but agreed-upon areas.
The guachimanes are usually known and quietly approved by nearby businesses that depend on safe, orderly parking.
Often, the guachimanes aren’t just “watching.” They help cars reverse into traffic, manage congestion, and prevent chaos. If someone is aggressive or dishonest, they don’t last long. Small towns self-correct fast.
Quick checklist: respected community guard vs red flag
Community-approved guachimen if they:
Are known by nearby shop/restaurant owners
Stay in one consistent, defined area
Help with parking and traffic flow
Are calm, respectful, and not demanding
Are acknowledged by locals
Red flags:
Roaming or claiming random street space as theirs
Aggressive demands for payment
No relationship with nearby businesses
Creating pressure or discomfort, giving you the feeling to better to pay them to prevent them from doing anything to your car.
Only appearing when tourists arrive
Poverty does not equal dishonesty, but opportunity does.
I’ve had my fair share of encounters with guachimanes over the years. While many people throw around harsh labels like “scum,” “extortionists,” or “criminals in disguise,” I don’t fully agree with those sweeping judgments.
From what I’ve seen, guachimanes do provide a service, even if it’s not always up to everyone’s standards.
Just the other day at the Sixaola border with Panama, I chose to park on the street. When I returned to my car and asked the guachiman how much for less than an hour, he cheekily asked for $20 or $30.
I’d already decided ahead to pay him ¢5,000 colones since he helped me and my non Costa Rican* friend heading to Panama with the immigration process. But when he named that high price, I quickly dropped it to $5 (about 2,300 colones). He smiled and thanked me.
You’ll find plenty of mostly negative comments about guachimanes on social media, but honestly, I think a lot of that comes down to bad judgment or just unmet expectations from the car owners.
Q24N (EFE) Nicaragua’s newspaper, La Prensa, is celebrating a century of existence, though it does so with the majority of its staff operating from exile and its headquarters confiscated by the government. As the outlet emphasized, it remains resilient and “in the service of freedom.”
“Today at La Prensa we celebrate a century of history. We are not in the print edition where we began, nor in the building that sheltered us for decades, but we are where it matters most: in the search for truth and in the heart of every Nicaraguan,” the newspaper wrote in its Monday edition.
The paper noted that this March 2 marks 100 years of “resilience” and “service to freedom,” because “each front page” is not just a news story, but “a battle.”
In a written statement, general manager and former political prisoner Juan Lorenzo Holmann Chamorro said that “ink may run out, paper may be seized, and the printing press may be silenced; but freedom, when it is so deeply rooted in the heart of a nation, will always be printed again.”
“Today we turn 100 years old, and we will remain here! Steadfast, until God — not man — decides otherwise, confident that Nicaragua will soon be a Republic again,” he added.
Holmann Chamorro acknowledged that “these 100 years we celebrate today have not been easy,” and that for a newspaper, “they have been even harder.”
The seizure of La Prensa’s facilities
Holmann Chamorro noted, however, that “none of them defeated us; on the contrary, we have always emerged even stronger,” and that even “those who did everything to silence us are no longer here, and we remain.”
La Prensa’s historic building, located in an industrial area in northern Managua, was formally expropriated by the Nicaraguan dictatorship in August 2022, after having been occupied for a year by the National Police. Authorities alleged that the outlet was being used to commit crimes of “customs fraud and money and asset laundering.”
The Sandinista government, through the Office of the Attorney General, transferred the deed to the building that housed the newspaper to the National Technological Institute.
For his part, La Prensa’s general manager was sentenced on March 31, 2022, to nine years in prison for the alleged crime of “money laundering.”
He was released and sent to the United States on February 9, 2023. The following day, Nicaraguan authorities stripped him of his nationality.
Q COSTARICA — On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Chaves signed and sent to the United Nations the diplomatic note officially presenting Costa Rica’s candidacy of Rebeca Grynspan for Secretary-General for the 2027-2031 term.
The decision places a Costa Rican figure in the race to lead the world’s main multilateral organization at a time marked by international tensions, economic challenges, and crises that demand global coordination.
The candidate brings political experience, management skills, and a proven track record in high-level international forums.
Her career in Costa Rica culminated in the Vice Presidency of the Republic. She then moved to the United Nations system, where she assumed responsibilities of global scope.
As Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), she oversaw a budget exceeding $4 billion and operations in more than 170 countries and territories.
In 2014, she was unanimously elected to head the Ibero-American Conference, where she coordinated summits of heads of state and promoted dialogue among 22 countries.
Since 2021, she has led the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), where she is spearheading a process of institutional modernization.
Amid the food crisis stemming from the conflict in Eastern Europe, she played a decisive role in the Black Sea Grains Initiative, which enabled the safe export of more than 33 million tons of grain and helped stabilize international markets.
Costa Rica’s candidacy is based on three priorities: strengthening the UN’s work in peace and security, deepening its reform to make it more effective, and preparing it for future challenges.
With this nomination, the country seeks to place its diplomatic experience at the heart of a crucial stage for the multilateral system.
Furthermore, his name comes with the backing of state institutions and the support of the country’s political forces.
Depressed woman sitting alone on the bed with hands on head feel stress, sad and worried in the dark bedroom and low light environment
Q COSTARICA — Suicide attempts in Costa Rica show the highest incidence among 10- to 19-year-olds, according to the Ministry of Health’s 2025 behavioral data.
“In the 10- to 19-year-old age group, the female rate is between two and four times that of males,” the document details.
According to the institution, this gap is related to various social conditions that particularly affect adolescent girls.
The Ministry of Health mentions that young women have higher rates of exposure to sexual and psychological violence, which is linked to the emergence of suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
Experts also emphasize that adolescence, in general, involves complex emotional and social processes.
“This stage involves pressures related to academic performance, perfection, and physical appearance—factors associated with depression, anxiety, negative emotions, and impulsivity,” the analysis indicates.
The ministry also mentions situations of violence, physical punishment, or bullying as factors that can influence the emergence of suicidal behavior in minors.
Although the highest incidence is concentrated among adolescents, the report identifies particular behaviors in other age groups.
For example, in the 5-to-9-year-old group, boys have higher rates than girls, a difference that the Ministry links to possible situations of violence or physical discipline.
“In children, these differences may be related to greater exposure to forms of violence, physical punishment, harsh discipline, or bullying,” the institution emphasized.
The Costa Rican Association of Psychiatry (ASOCOPSI) had highlighted that the risk is appearing at very young ages.
“From the age of 8, there are children who are already exhibiting suicidal behavior or suicidal ideation, or suicides that occur, but which, of course, cannot be made public,” explains Francisco Golcher, president of the Association; emphasizing that the information is not circulated to prevent imitation.
“Yes, there have been cases of people between the ages of 8 and 12 who have already attempted or committed suicide,” he mentioned.
Adults over 70
Meanwhile, at the other end of the age spectrum, adults over 70 also present a distinct pattern. Men register more suicide attempts than women.
“This phenomenon may be related to social and emotional factors associated with aging,” the ministry indicated.
These include loss of social contact, widowhood, isolation, reduced family support, and decreased community participation after retirement.
The report also points out that some older men face cultural barriers to seeking help.
“There is a sociocultural element where vulnerability is not accepted, which means that some men do not voluntarily access mental health services or medical care to treat depressive symptoms,” they warn.
Women
According to the Ministry of Health, in 2025 the suicide attempt rate among women reached 101.5 per 100,000 inhabitants.
While the rate for men was 53.1, the female rate was 1.91 times higher.
“Suicide attempts are more frequent among women, associated with various social factors, such as greater exposure to gender-based violence, unpaid care work, structural inequalities in access to opportunities, and higher levels of psychosocial stressors linked to gender norms,” the Ministry of Health stated.
Furthermore, authorities emphasize that suicide attempts represent a high-priority public health problem, given their complexity, social impact, and potential for prevention.
Higher Incidence
Overall, Costa Rica ended 2025 with 4,016 suicide attempts. A territorial analysis reveals significant differences in the pattern.
The cases by province are:
San José: 1,229
Alajuela: 889
Heredia: 514
Puntarenas: 493
Cartago: 366
Limón: 361
Guanacaste: 164
“San José has the highest number of cases; however, this is because it is the most populated province. Based on rates per 100,000 inhabitants, provinces such as Puntarenas, Heredia, and Alajuela register a proportionally higher incidence than the capital,” explained the Ministry of Health.
Authorities explain that these territorial differences are due to the interaction of multiple social factors.
“Provinces with higher levels of poverty, unemployment, inequality, violence, or limited access to mental health services tend to show higher rates of suicide attempts,” they warned.
At the cantonal level, Flores, Palmares, and Osa have the highest rates in the country.
However, in terms of the total number of cases, Pococí has the highest number of reported cases, with more than 150 attempts registered.
“This highlights priority areas where efforts to strengthen prevention, early detection, and mental health care are needed,” the experts conclude.
Q COSTARICA — Even though the latest global conflict is happening halfway across the world, Costa Rica can’t just sit this one out. The oil market, how closely connected the global economy is, and who’s involved all mean that what happens in Iran and its neighbors could hit Costa Rica, too.
Experts and business leaders say the impact depends a lot on how long this conflict goes on. But they’re focused on three main worries: oil, logistics, and supply chains.
The Costa Rican Chamber of Foreign Trade (Crecex) highlights four major concerns about how the Middle East crisis might affect the country’s productivity:
Rising fuel and local costs: As oil prices climb internationally, the cost of imported fuels could follow. That drives up transportation, distribution, and production expenses, which could push inflation higher.
Higher shipping fees: Shipping companies might add risk surcharges and fuel cost adjustments. This makes importing raw materials and exporting Costa Rican goods more expensive.
Pressure on key industries: Sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and those relying heavily on energy or logistics could face bigger bills for inputs like chemicals, packaging, and petrochemical products.
More supply chain chaos: When a critical energy trade hub is disrupted, supply routes get rerouted, causing ripple effects at ports and transport corridors worldwide.
Oil and its byproducts on the rise
Because the Middle East plays a huge role in oil and energy, the world keeps a close watch on crude oil and derivative prices. These price shifts affect countless industries.
Daniel Suchar, an analyst, says, “Everything points to oil prices going up, meaning petroleum products will likely get more expensive over the next two months.”
He adds that gasoline and fuel prices in Costa Rica could start rising around April and May.
Suchar also warns that other sectors won’t be spared. Fertilizers and agrochemicals, vital for farming, could see price hikes too. Plus, petroleum-based goods like plastics, sulfur, and asphalt might take a bit longer to catch up but will also eventually push inflation higher worldwide.
The Strait of Hormuz’s location makes it a critical chokepoint if tensions escalate in the Middle East.
More time, more trouble
How bad things get really depends on how long and how intense the conflict becomes.
Carlos Cascante, a university analyst, says, “It’s too soon to tell the full impact because we don’t yet know how far the US and Israel’s actions will go.”
He points out that if the conflict spreads, the effects will be more severe.
Oil prices will likely spike if the Strait of Hormuz closes off, since supply can’t be guaranteed. Plus, moving other goods gets complicated by the warzone, which raises shipping and insurance costs—these costs quickly show up in prices.
Cascante also notes that uncertainty rattles stock markets, making investors cautious. Economic activity often slows as businesses wait to see how things will play out before making big moves.
How can companies protect themselves?
With so much uncertainty, Crecex suggests businesses take these steps:
Check logistics contracts for war risk, fuel surcharges, or route changes.
Take stock of critical supplies and build up safety inventories where possible.
Diversify suppliers and shipping routes if the business setup allows.
Adjust prices to reflect potential rises in shipping and energy costs.
Keep in close touch with freight forwarders and carriers to stay on top of any operational shifts.
Costa Rica can’t ignore what’s happening in the Middle East, and businesses need to plan carefully for whatever comes next.
Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica generated 98.6% of its electricity from five renewable sources—hydro, geothermal, wind, biomass, and solar—during 2025. The data was presented by the División de Operación y Control del Sistema Eléctrico (DOCSE) of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), after verification by the company LSQA.
“The proper management and operation of the clean resources that the environment offers us guarantees stable rates for all consumption sectors in our country. This percentage also confirms the strength of the National Electric System (SEN) and ICE’s commitment to an energy mix based on sustainable sources. Faced with climate and operational challenges, Costa Rica is consolidating its position as a leader in renewable energy generation,” stated Marco Acuña, president of Grupo ICE.
By 2030, Costa Rica will strengthen its installed renewable energy capacity with the addition of new production centers totaling approximately 600 megawatts (MW). The development of these new geothermal, solar, and wind power plants will be carried out by ICE, as well as by private generators.
“These new projects will strengthen the country’s energy security and further diversify the electricity mix, allowing us to meet growing demand and adapt more efficiently to climate variability,” added Verny Rojas, Electricity Manager at the Institute.
In addition to the percentage of renewable generation—which includes exports to Central America—97.3% of domestic demand was met with clean energy resources.
The complete details of the national electricity generation results are available in the 2025 Report on Meeting Electricity Demand and Production with Renewable Sources, published on the DOCSE website.
Q COSTARICA — Former two-time President of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Óscar Arias took to social media to criticize the war raging in the Middle East. He did so with a particularly critical message directed at the United States and the Trump administration.
“We woke up to a war in the Middle East with unpredictable consequences. And judging by what the warring parties are saying, it will last a long time and impoverish the entire world,” he wrote.
He recalled that in 2015, when he and former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry celebrated the agreements that would limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities. That pact, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in Vienna, was abandoned by the first Trump administration, which deemed it weak.
Years later, Arias maintains that dialogue would be a better option than weapons, in a renewed critique of Trump.
“No agreement is perfect, and it doesn’t always fully satisfy all parties. But it’s better than leaving Pandora’s Box open to resolve differences through weapons. The war we are currently embroiled in began after the U.S. government decided not to continue negotiations with Iran in Geneva,” he stated.
He also claimed that he does not support the Iranian regime.
“My fight for peace in Central America in the 1980s aimed not only to silence the guns in the region but also to end the dictatorship in Nicaragua. I have dedicated my entire life to fighting tyrannies, and even more so the terrorist theocracies that murder their citizens. Therefore, I have no sympathy for the Iranian regime,” he added.
Did Trump’s promise change?
With the armed escalation, Arias also questioned the change in priorities that Trump promised for Washington.
“The start of this war by the United States and Israel signifies a severe shift in the priorities offered to the American people by then-candidate Donald Trump. The America First (MAGA) policy, which aimed to improve the socioeconomic well-being of the American people, was shelved, relegating foreign policy issues to a secondary position,” the former president noted.
“However, let us recall how President Trump boasted of having resolved a huge number of armed conflicts to justify to the Nobel Committee in Oslo that no one deserved the prize more than he did,” he continued.
He also listed other international decisions that have marked the current US administration.
“In the last year, President Trump’s administration changed its campaign promises. Its new priorities consisted of arbitrarily imposing tariffs on every country in the world, seizing Venezuelan oil with the widely applauded imprisonment of drug trafficker Nicolás Maduro, annexing Greenland and Canada, taking the Panama Canal away from Panama, eliminating resources allocated to international cooperation through USAID, and building, perhaps its most important priority, a ballroom in the White House,” Arias continued.
Israel giving orders and the business of war
In his message, Arias questioned the motives driving Washington’s military actions.
“The United States is the world’s leading economic and military power today and refuses to share the hegemonic power it currently holds with other nations that aspire to be part of a multipolar world, which they legitimately wish to build,” he stated.
“Today, this nation gives orders to the entire world, except for Israel, since, on the contrary, the White House receives orders from Jerusalem,” he added.
He also raised questions about the economic motivations that might be behind the decision to enter into war.
“Thanks to its immense military power, it is very sad that the United States resorts to military action so frequently and disregards dialogue and negotiation as the preferred tool for resolving conflicts,” Arias stated.
“The fundamental reason for this behavior is Washington’s need to feed the ‘military-industrial complex.’ I’m not the only one who thinks this way,” he concluded.
Q COSTARICA — While the jet is fueling up, so to speak, Celso Gamboa is making one last attempt to avoid being sent to the United States by threatening to reveal damaging information once he arrives.
From the La Reforma prison, where is being held pending his extradition, Gamboa gave an interview to Stefanía Colombari, a journalist from Teletica’s Siete Días program, in which he defended his innocence, questioned the legality of the evidence against him, and assured that he would cooperate with U.S. authorities, especially by providing information about some people who are currently members of the Executive Branch.
“There are others who are eroding Costa Rican institutions, and unfortunately, they are currently in the Executive Branch,” Gamboa said, adding, when the reporter asked again if he would provide that information in the United States, “of course.”
Gamboa stated in the interview: “Yes, if I have to talk about some things, I will talk about them with the American authorities, but about those people, not about criminal groups.”
Gamboa also stated that his main challenge will be facing a trial under the Common Law legal system in the U.S., which differs from the Germanic model applied in Latin America.
“What I intend to do is go to the United States, win the trial, and be back here (in Costa Rica) for December with my family,” he affirmed.
The Indictment
The indictment against Gamboa details that on September 20, 2023, he had a conversation—allegedly recorded—with two confidential sources, in which he supposedly provided information on how to transport cocaine through Costa Rica. The document attributes to him the phrase: “The receipt of cocaine is 100% guaranteed.”
Gamboa questioned the validity of this evidence and maintained that the recording was not authorized by a court in either Costa Rica or the United States.
“Which Costa Rican judge authorized this communication to be recorded? None. Which U.S. judge authorized it? None,” he stated.
However, he acknowledged having discussed the ease with which drugs enter the country, although he denied having uttered the exact phrase attributed to him in the indictment.
Rejects links to criminal organizations
The former judge also rejected the links that, according to the U.S. prosecution, connect him to criminal organizations and the Limón Black Star soccer team as an alleged money laundering scheme. He asserted that in previous investigations in Costa Rica, he was questioned about money laundering, drug trafficking, and even homicide, without any connections being established that led to convictions.
Regarding the witnesses against him, he claimed they were confidential informants seeking reduced sentences in the United States.
“Not a single gram of cocaine was seized, not a single dollar that I didn’t account for,” he stated.
During the interview, Gamboa addressed questions about his relationship with individuals publicly linked to drug trafficking cases. He argued that, as a criminal defense attorney specializing in organized crime, he has represented numerous defendants and that his professional practice does not constitute a crime.
He also addressed his time in prison, where he claimed to be living with people he described as “valuable.” He stated that he was assigned to that module by prison authorities.
When asked about the impact of his case on the credibility of the institutions he represented—including the Judiciary and the Ministry of Security—he denied that any institutional damage stemmed from his legal situation.
“There are people who should be in jail with me.”
Gamboa also stated that there are people in positions of power who should be in prison. He said that, if necessary, he will provide information to U.S. authorities.
“There are people who shouldn’t be where they are, there are people who should be in jail with me. (…) Of course, I’m going to give information,” he declared.
While his legal future is being decided, Gamboa maintains that he will return to the country after proving his innocence. “I’m not going to wait for the wind to blow in my favor; I am the wind,” he stated.
The process continues, and it will be the justice system—in Costa Rica and eventually in the United States—that determines his guilt or innocence.
Extradition and the Legal Process
Gamboa’s extradition to the United States represents a milestone in the implementation of the constitutional reform that, in 2025, allowed Costa Rican citizens to be extradited to face charges for serious crimes, including those related to drug trafficking. The Attorney General of Costa Rica, Carlo Díaz, has stated that Gamboa’s extradition sends a “very important message against organized crime and drug trafficking,” given the transnational nature of the case and the profile of the accused.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has based its case on wiretaps, testimony from undercover informants, and court documents allegedly provided by both the DEA and the U.S. government. These materials describe not only the planning and execution of cocaine trafficking routes, but also the alleged use of political influence and government contacts to shield the operation from state scrutiny.
Part of that evidence includes meetings between Gamboa and two drug traffickers—who acted as partners in the investigated organization—in which he allegedly emphasized his knowledge of and support for the government in facilitating the arrival of shipments. One of Gamboa’s partners is Edwin López Vega, alias “Pecho de Rata,” who is also facing extradition.
Gamboa is just hours away from being extradited to the United States, as confirmed by Costa Rican authorities, who are awaiting a single document to carry out the historic transfer on a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) plane.
Q COSTARICA — Soon you’ll be able to enjoy a good coffee or a meal outdoors on the sidewalks, boulevards, and parks of the capital city.
Paris, Madrid, or Rome: this is how downtown San José will look with this new urban initiative.
The plan encourages restaurants to set up outdoor tables in spaces of up to 50 square meters, provided the furniture is removable. Interested businesses must have their permits up to date and submit a design that ensures pedestrian traffic remains smooth and safe.
This measure not only aims to bring life and vibrancy to the city but also to generate employment and attract tourists.
Last week, the Municipality of San José approved the official regulations that allow this development. The initiative comes after months of planning to provide legal certainty to businesses that, for years, have sought ways to extend their services into public spaces in an organized manner.
Q COSTARICA — Online scams in Costa Rica have seen a significant surge since 2022, when 3,136 complaints were filed with the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ)—Judicial Investigation Agency.
Since then, the problem has continued to grow exponentially, and by 2025, the OIJ had recorded 10,027 cases, representing a 41% increase compared to the previous year.
The worst part is that, if the current growth rate continues, by the end of this year, online scams will become the country’s leading crime, surpassing robberies, thefts, and fraud, which until the end of last year held the top three positions in the crime ranking.
Thus, cell phones are one step closer to being more dangerous than walking at night in a dangerous neighborhood.
Complaints about this issue jumped from 19 to 27 per day between 2024 and 2025.
These stark statistics reveal a shift in consumption patterns and crime in the country, according to experts, who point out that behind each case is a person with an empty bank account or even debts they didn’t incur.
Last week, legislators approved a bill that essentially exonerates citizens from being held responsible for illegal transactions and requires banks and other financial institutions to refund money lost in electronic fraud if they cannot prove it was a mistake or intentional act by the customer.
In other words, the affected person will no longer have to explain to the bank what happened; instead, the financial institution will be obligated to conduct an investigation and respond within four months.
The legislation was approved in its first vote and requires a second vote, which is progressing unopposed through the legislative process and is expected to be approved as early as this week.
Claims Against Online Fraud
After a series of modifications, the law clarifies the procedure to follow with banking institutions in cases of account fraud.
Here’s how:
When a user denies having authorized a transaction and claims to be the victim of theft (fraud, electronic fraud, or unauthorized debit) or reports the misuse of their account, they may file a claim with the financial institution within 30 calendar days of the incident.
The claim must be submitted using a form provided by the institution and must include a copy of the report filed with the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) — Judicial Investigation Agency.
The financial institution will have 30 calendar days to investigate and resolve the claim, which may be extended once for up to 10 additional business days, provided at least 3 days’ prior notice is given.
During the investigation, the institution must demonstrate:
It complies with the security regulations established by the General Superintendency of Financial Institutions (SUGEF).
That its systems were not compromised, considering controls such as: analysis of transaction patterns, verification of devices and authentication methods, detection of atypical activity, and application of prior confirmation mechanisms when appropriate.
If compliance with these requirements is demonstrated, the customer’s conduct will be analyzed.
The entity may reject the claim if it demonstrates that there was self-fraud, fraud, or transfers between accounts belonging to the same person.
Claim Rejection?
According to the initiative, if the financial institution rejects the claim, it must notify the user, indicating the evidence and the forensic analysis or log prepared in accordance with the parameters of the General Superintendency of Financial Entities (SUGEF). A copy of this report must be sent to the OIJ and the Superintendencia General de Entidades Financieras (SUGEF)—literally translated as ‘Financial Institution Superintendency’.
Furthermore, SUGEF will, within 10 business days, validate through a reasoned decision whether the claim is duly justified.
If SUGEF does not ratify the decision, the institution must return the funds and/or reopen the account within a maximum of 10 business days, without prejudice to the institution’s right to pursue legal action to challenge the payment’s validity.
If SUGEF confirms the rejection, the client may resort to the corresponding legal channels.
Refund of Money
When the financial institution determines that the claim is valid, it must credit the funds within a maximum of 10 calendar days, reopen the account if applicable, eliminate any interest or fees applied due to the fraud, and refund the amounts charged with their respective interest.
Furthermore, if new unauthorized transactions occur after the claim is filed, the financial institution will be responsible for these transactions and their financial consequences.
Penalties
The initiative also establishes that users who impersonate victims of bank fraud to obtain a financial benefit for themselves or a third party could be punished with imprisonment:
Imprisonment from two months to three years, if the amount defrauded does not exceed ten times the base salary.
Imprisonment from six months to ten years, if the amount defrauded exceeds ten times the base salary.
Banks resign from ABC
Following the initiative’s approval in the first debate, Costa Rica’s public banks—Banco de Costa Rica (BCR), Banco Nacional de Costa Rica (BNCR), and Banco Popular y de Desarrollo Comunal (BPDC)—announced their formal, immediate, and irrevocable resignation from the Costa Rican Banking Association (ABC).
In a joint statement, they asserted that the decision stems from a breakdown in trust caused by public statements made by ABC spokespeople regarding the bill on online fraud.
Q COSTARICA — Fabián Silva, lawyer and advisor to President-elect Laura Fernández, publicly raised the possibility of establishing U.S. military bases in Costa Rica as part of a strategy to combat drug trafficking and organized crime.
The proposal was made during an interview with the media outlet ¡OPA!, in which the constitutional lawyer suggested the presence of United States armed forces at strategic points in the country.
“Establish U.S. military bases in Limón, Puntarenas, and Guanacaste, and start allowing them to capture those drug lords and take them to the United States. We shouldn’t have that mafia, that filth, in Costa Rica,” Silva, one of the members of the “technical group”, stated.
The advisor argued that strengthening criminal prosecutions against criminal organizations could lead to a displacement of criminal groups to Costa Rica, given the pressure in other countries in the region.
“Look what happened in Mexico. A militarily powerful state, with a tremendous army facing a drug lord—do you think that when they start going after all those criminals… they’re going to come to Costa Rica, because it’s a paradise of anarchy and impunity?” he added.
According to the lawyer, the country lacks sufficient operational capacity to confront a potential increase in organized crime.
“Will we have the capacity, through our police forces, to contain it? No. So, we have to talk about establishing constitutional reforms, establishing agreements that allow us to have military bases,” he argued.
Legal Team to Promote Reforms
Silva’s statements come in the context of Fernández’s recent presentation of a legal advisory team, with the goal of promoting structural reforms without legal obstacles.
The president-elect announced last week the formation of a group comprised of four highly experienced jurists, who will be tasked with supporting projects such as reforms to the usury law, changes to criminal law to increase penalties, and potential amendments to the Political Constitution.
The advisory team is composed of:
María Lourdes Echandi, a specialist in public law and former Deputy Attorney General of the Republic.
Fabián Volio, an expert in constitutional and administrative law with over 30 years of experience.
Juan Diego Castro, a criminal lawyer and former Minister of Justice and Security.
Fabián Silva, a constitutional law expert with years of experience analyzing reforms to the Judiciary.
“The time has come to take that step forward and move from diagnoses and constructive analyses to proposals for legal reform. I feel very well supported by them, and I am absolutely certain that the service they will provide to the country is deeply personal and very, very committed to correcting what all Costa Ricans know is very wrong in the country,” Fernández stated when introducing the team.
The potential installation of foreign military bases would require a constitutional reform, and maintain a historical tradition of demilitarization, so the proposal anticipates a high-caliber legal and political debate in the coming months.
The proposal, given that Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948, would require a constitutional amendment, a broad legislative majority that the 31 legislative seats won by the PPSO are not sufficient.
To move forward with this initiative, at least seven opposition legislators would need to join them.
It is still unknown whether Laura Fernández or the rest of the “technical team” supports this proposal.
Q COSTARICA — Acostúmbrense (Get used to it). That was President Rodrigo Chaves’s response on Wednesday to criticism from various sectors regarding the drop in the dollar exchange rate.
“There was that corner store owner in Paraíso giving advice to everyone: ‘Look, it’s at ¢670, and when Chaves takes office, this is going to collapse.’ Of course, he lost and saddled those who lost, and then he says, ‘It’s outrageous.’ Get used to it. This economy, as Laura Fernández Delgado so wisely said, no longer faces a temporary issue regarding the availability of dollars; it’s because we are becoming increasingly productive. There’s a reason we’re among the world’s high-income nations,” Chaves stated.
In recent weeks, the exchange rate has been trending downward. Today, the official dollar exchange set by the Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR)—Central Bank— is ¢470.83 for the buy and ¢475.68 for the sell. At the banks, financial institutions, and exchange houses, as reported to the Central Bank, the range at the national and private banks is from ¢460 to ¢466 for the buy and ¢478 to ¢481 for the sell; At the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Casa de Cambio Global Exchange posts ¢392 for the buy and ¢566 for the sell.
At the Monex — Mercado de Monedas Extranjeras (Foreign Currency Market), a specialized platform managed by the Central Bank, on Wednesday, the weighted average price of the dollar was ¢472.50, decreased by ¢1.25 compared to the value reached on Tuesday, when it stood at ¢ 473.75.
Most economists agree that the decline is due to an excess of dollars in the foreign exchange market, resulting from export growth, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows, and seasonal factors such as the peak tourist season.
However, others, such as economist Norberto Zúñiga, a consultant with the firm Ecoanálisis, acknowledged that there has been an increase in some export sectors, particularly medical devices, but clarified that, overall, it has not been very significant.
Fernando Naranjo, president of the firm Consejeros Económicos y Financieros (Cefsa), former Minister of Finance, and who previously held the position of Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank and served as the General Manager of the country’s largest state-owned bank until 2015, told CRHoy.com the decline in the dollar-colón exchange rate is primarily due to the government’s high external debt in recent years, generating an excess of dollars in the foreign exchange market and, consequently, puts downward pressure on the exchange rate.
Naranjo stated that the Government has been one of those responsible for the fall in the exchange rate by increasing Costa Rica’s external debt. He argued that the abundance of dollars in the foreign exchange market during the first weeks of 2026 is not solely due to the peak tourist season or FDI, because a large part of it corresponds to machinery that comes from abroad and does not generate dollars.
He also noted that it isn’t directly tied to the increase in exports from free trade zones. For exports under the definitive regime (RD), growth last year was only about 1% to 1.5%.
Naranjo pointed out that the eurobond issuances totaling US$3 billion in 2023 and the two one-billion-eurobond issues made by the Government in November 2025 and January of this year, carried out by the Ministry of Finance, generated an excess of dollars in the local market.
“It hasn’t been tourism; exports and foreign direct investment have been limited; but yes, clearly, public debt, which generates an effective outlay of foreign currency and has been quite strong,” the economist stated.
He even indicated that the Treasury acknowledged on Tuesday that, since November of last year, the Government’s debt has once again exceeded 60% of the gross domestic product (GDP).
Q COSTARICA — This week, on Tuesday, tariffs on Costa Rican products exported to the United States went back into effect, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Trade (Comex).
The good news is that the tariff will no longer be 15%, as it was for months, but only 10%.
These new tariffs were established by Donald Trump, President of the United States, using Section 122 of the Trade Act, which allows the president to impose them for up to 150 days to address “large and serious” balance of payments deficits and “fundamental international payments problems.”
Last Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the tariff policy implemented by President Trump, eliminating tariffs imposed on various countries, including the 15% tariff that had been established for Costa Rica.
The justices considered that this policy granted the President of the United States virtually unlimited power to define the country’s trade policy, which is incompatible with the U.S. Constitution.
However, the country’s leader found another legal instrument to reactivate them, but this time he only imposed a 10% tax.
Q TECH — Leave them or drive them, electric mobility is advancing rapidly, bringing innovation hand in hand with artificial intelligence (AI), a technology that now transcends battery life and range to become the central axis that connects safety, efficiency, and user experience.
AI allows the vehicle to interpret its surroundings through sensors and algorithms, integrating with driver assistance, the smart cockpit, and energy management. In addition to responding to commands, it understands the context and makes automatic adjustments based on the driver’s needs.
“Artificial intelligence is redefining the value of the electric vehicle. It’s no longer just about range, but about how the vehicle becomes an ally that anticipates risks, reduces driving stress, and constantly improves the mobility experience. In other words, electric mobility is synonymous with safety, greater efficiency by optimizing routes and making necessary adjustments, as well as constant technological evolution through remote updates, without the need to visit a workshop,” stated Luis Diego Acuña, manager of XPENG Costa Rica.
XPENG, with the support of Grupo Purdy (Toyota, Lexus, Ford, VW, and more), shares five trends shaping the future of the industry:
Comprehensive and proactive experience: AI analyzes variables such as traffic, weather, and inclines before starting a journey, suggesting more efficient routes and adapting settings according to the context. During the trip, it reduces mental workload in traffic jams or on long journeys, and afterward, it optimizes functions through remote updates.
More natural interpretation of the environment: Vehicles improve their ability to “see” and understand unexpected movements of pedestrians or other vehicles. This allows for more timely decisions in rain, low light, or limited signage, raising safety standards.
Predictive driving: The shift from reactive systems to predictive models facilitates smooth adjustments of speed and distance, reduces harsh braking, and optimizes energy efficiency, with a direct impact on comfort and efficiency.
Intelligent energy management: Beyond range, AI offers more realistic range estimates by considering driving style and topography. It also optimizes thermal management and monitors the battery to extend its lifespan.
Dynamic Personalization: The vehicle learns preferences such as ideal temperature or frequently used routes and adapts its settings over time, balancing comfort and energy consumption.
“The electric mobility of the future can be enjoyed starting today, with safer, more efficient, and simpler driving. At XPENG, we understand that artificial intelligence is the foundation that allows us to integrate technology, energy, and experience on a single platform, with vehicles that are constantly evolving,” Acuña concluded.
Drivers face a simple yet significant choice: embrace the shift and drive them, or stick with traditional cars and leave EVs behind.
With growing environmental concerns and tightening emissions regulations, EVs offer a cleaner, quieter ride powered by batteries instead of gas. Their rising popularity is supported by expanding charging networks and falling prices, making them more accessible than ever.
In Costa Rica, EVs are booming, driven by tax exemptions and duty-free imports, with 14% of new car registrations being electric as of late 2024.
Still, some remain hesitant due to concerns over range, charging times, and upfront costs.
Q COSTARICA — On Tuesday, Attorney General Carlos Díaz announced an investigation has been launched in Costa Rica following the release of files by the U.S. Department of Justice concerning sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The focus is on alleged sexual abuse involving a minor, according to La Nación.
Due to the victim’s status as a minor, officials are withholding further details about her identity or the specifics of the case.
Díaz said he personally instructed the Deputy Prosecutor’s Office for Gender Affairs to start an inquiry related to this case, which has shaken political circles in both the United States and Europe.
The investigation has been assigned file number 26-000155-0994-PE and is currently directed against unknown suspects—no defendants have been identified at this stage.
Díaz also mentioned that as the case develops, there may be a need to form a specialized working group. This group could include leaders from prosecutor’s offices that focus on violence against children and adolescents, as well as those handling human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Right now, the investigation is in its early stages and remains confidential under Article 295 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
This probe ties back to January, when the U.S. Department of Justice made public over 3 million pages of documents, along with photos and videos, linked to one of the most notorious sex trafficking cases in recent memory.
Among this massive trove of information, at least 289 references mention Costa Rica.
Known as the Epstein Files, this collection contains emails, videos, photographs, phone records, federal indictments, flight logs, and declassified court documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Declassification and Costa Rica
Much of the content mentioning Costa Rica relates to efforts to find girls aged 14 to 16 for sexual exploitation. The FBI confirmed this through an undercover operation involving a fake travel agency called Costa Rica Taboo Vacations, which was used to arrange trips to Costa Rica for sex with minors.
The declassified emails, dated between 2012 and 2015, include numerous references to visits to Costa Rica by Epstein’s associates, accompanied by Ghislaine Maxwell, who has been identified as a key figure in the criminal network that procured minors worldwide.
Phone calls to Costa Rica Taboo Vacations, arranging meetings with underage prostitutes, served as evidence of legal violations. In one documented case, someone who contacted the agency made multiple calls, bought tickets, reserved hotels, and was arrested at the airport.
One email from February 28, 2010, shows Ghislaine Maxwell telling Epstein she planned to visit Costa Rica to attend the expansion of a national park by 80 kilometers and meet the new president. That year, Cocos Island National Park did see such an expansion, and Laura Chinchilla had recently become president. The email doesn’t confirm whether the meeting actually happened; it only notes the intent.
The emails also reveal Epstein’s ongoing interest in Costa Rica’s wind energy sector and telecommunications market.
According to Costa Rica’s immigration authority, Ghislaine Maxwell was in the country on March 2 and 3, 2010, and returned again on April 14, 2010.
These revelations add to thousands of legal cases opened worldwide against Epstein and his collaborators, reigniting concerns about how vulnerable tourist destinations can be to child sexual exploitation.
Q COSTARICA — Recently, the BBC published an investigation revealing hundreds of videos of couples recorded with hidden cameras in hotel rooms in China, which were then sold as pornography on social media.
The publication raised concerns about the possibility of something similar happening worldwide.
To understand the situation in Costa Rica, Teletica.com consulted two legal experts to explain how regulated this issue is in the country and what guests should demand.
In Costa Rica, although there is no specific legislation regarding cameras in hotel rooms, Article 24 of the Constitution protects the right to privacy and the secrecy of communications.
According to Juan Esteban Durando, a lawyer specializing in Digital Law, “the rights to privacy and the protection of personal data also derive from this fundamental right. The jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court has established guidelines on the proper use of surveillance systems in private settings.”
For his part, Bernan Salazar, a criminal lawyer specializing in data protection, adds that “the capture of images or videos is also protected by the Ley de Protección de Datos Personales (Personal Data Protection Law), which requires informed consent from the data subject for the processing of those images.”
Both agree that the collection of images through video surveillance is also protected by the Civil Code, which prohibits publishing, reproducing, displaying, or selling a person’s image without their consent.
Where can cameras be placed?
Hotels can install cameras, but under strict criteria.
Salazar explains: “Cameras must be limited to public areas such as the reception, hallways, parking lots, pools, and recreational areas. Recording in rooms, bathrooms, or private areas is strictly prohibited, even if the guest signs a consent form.”
Furthermore, electronic cameras require the guest’s consent, which can be implicit through visible signs indicating that recording is taking place, or explicit by signing a document upon check-in.
“If a guest were deceived and signed a consent form without reading it, the hotel still cannot install cameras in the room,” Salazar clarifies.
What rights does the hotel have over these images?
In Costa Rica, regulations govern not only the placement of cameras but also the handling of the images.
“Companies must justify the purpose of installing the cameras, and it must be an objective necessity, such as protecting property, ensuring the safety of staff, or safeguarding guests. The recordings cannot be used for other purposes,” Salazar explains.
The images must be registered with the Agencia de Protección de Datos de los Habitantes (Prodhab)—Data Protection Agency, have systems in place to protect against unauthorized access, and have a limited retention period, typically between 30 and 90 days.
“These images cannot be publicly disseminated and can only be requested by judicial authorities with a legal order,” Salazar asserts.
What should I do if I suspect I was improperly recorded in a hotel?
Durango explains the legal steps a guest can take:
Go to the Office of the Ombudsman for Hotels and Hotels to report the unauthorized processing of personal data.
File a civil suit if any financial or moral damages were caused, requesting compensation for damages.
File a writ of amparo (constitutional protection) to demand the removal of the cameras and compensation for damages.
“It is important that video surveillance systems are clearly marked with signs indicating who is responsible for data processing and how to exercise the right to access information,” Durango adds.
Teletica.com reports it also contacted the Costa Rican Hotel Association about this issue and whether they were aware of any complaints; but, no response had been received.
