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.
Q COSTARICA — Costa Rican Security Minister Mario Zamora stated this Monday that illegal miners are extracting gold in the country to process and sell it in Nicaragua. He urged the neighboring country to increase surveillance along the border river San Juan, where a smuggling route exists.
“The theft of Costa Rican gold is carried out by small-scale miners who use smuggling routes that cross the San Juan River and reach the northern country (Nicaragua), where the mining sediment is processed, gold is extracted, and those profits remain,” Zamora said in a statement sent to the media.
The minister announced that he has asked Foreign Minister Arnoldo André to intercede with the Nicaraguan government to request increased police patrols on the San Juan River, which forms part of the border but is under Nicaraguan sovereignty.
“We are requesting that Nicaraguan authorities exercise their police authority on the San Juan River and its Nicaraguan bank to prevent the use of Nicaraguan territory for this gold smuggling route,” Zamora stated.
According to Zamora, the mining material is being extracted from the town of Las Crucitas, in the northern province of Alajuela, near the Nicaraguan border, with the involvement of transnational organized crime networks.
Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves announced that he will present this case as one of his country’s security problems at the meeting that U.S. President Donald Trump will hold with Latin American leaders on March 7 in Miami.
In 2010, an open-pit gold mine owned by the Canadian company Infinito Gold was slated to begin operations in Las Crucitas. However, after a lengthy legal battle, a Costa Rican court revoked the permits, preventing the company from starting construction. The site was subsequently taken over by illegal miners who employ environmentally damaging techniques, such as the use of mercury, resulting in severe environmental damage to the area.
The current administration of President Rodrigo Chaves is promoting a bill to reactivate gold mining in Las Crucitas under the management of a private company. The initiative is also supported by President-elect Laura Fernández, who will assume office on May 8th.
The bill, which faces opposition from environmentalists and a sector of the opposition, stipulates that the State will receive 5% of the profits from the business, which will operate under a concession model for extraction and operation of the “Las Crucitas Centralized Processing Plant,” without the use of mercury and without causing further environmental damage.
In addition, the Ministry of Environment and Energy will be in charge of conducting the competitions under the auction scheme to assign one or more concessionaires that comply with environmental terms.
Q COSTARICA — Wind gusts of up to 100 km/h, a general drop in temperature, and even rain are expected, is the forecast for today, Tuesday, February 24, according to the national weather service.
The Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) says the effects of cold front number 17, driven by a mass of cooler air moving in from the north, will hit Costa Rica hard.
In the Central Valley, wind gusts will range between 40 km/h and 70 km/h, but in the North Pacific, they could reach up to 100 km/h.
In the capital, the minimum temperature will be 15.4 °C and the maximum will reach 21.8 °C.
But that’s not all: a drop in temperature of at least 2 degrees Celsius is expected in the mountainous areas, the central plateau, and the Caribbean.
Rain is expected in the northern region, which will be more intense in the Caribbean. Rain and drizzle are expected in the east and north of the Central Valley.
Tourists, many of whom flock to Costa Rica for its warm beaches and outdoor adventures, found themselves adjusting plans. Hotels reported an uptick in requests for extra blankets and heating options. Local guides advised visitors to pack light jackets and prepare for cooler mornings if trekking through cloud forests or higher elevations.
Despite the temporary drop in temperature, the cold front also brings a silver lining. The cooler weather encourages outdoor activities that might otherwise be too sweaty or exhausting in the heat, like hiking and sightseeing in the early hours. For many, it is a chance to experience Costa Rica’s nature in a new light.
Cold fronts typically last only a few days before the tropical warmth returns. Whether you’re sipping a warm cup of Costa Rican coffee or bundling up for a mountain hike, beating the cold front means embracing the moment—and maybe enjoying a little unexpected cool in the tropics.
This Tuesday will be the day with the greatest impact of Cold Surge #17 on the country, bringing accelerated winds, precipitation to the Caribbean coast, and lower temperatures nationwide. Maximum gusts of 40-70 km/h are expected in the Central Valley, affecting the lower elevations and higher mountain ranges. In the North Pacific, gusts are expected to reach 60-100 km/h, particularly in the mountains and hills of the Guanacaste mountain range.
Temperatures are expected to drop by 2-6°C, especially in mountainous areas, the central plateau, and most of the Caribbean coast. Regarding precipitation, variable rainfall is expected, starting in the north of the country and intensifying towards the southern Caribbean coast in the province of Limón as Tuesday progresses.
Rain and drizzle are expected in the east and north of the Central Valley, while the Pacific slope will be sunny to partly cloudy, with possible rain in the mountains of the South Pacific.
RICO’s Q (Commentary) True to his usual style, outgoing president Rodrigo Chaves is keeping everyone in suspense about whether he’ll have a role in the new government until the very last moment.
The big reveal is expected on May 7, just a day before the official handover of power. That’s when Chaves might announce if he’ll join Laura Fernández’s administration—or maybe he’ll hold off and stretch the suspense just a bit longer.
If not included in the new administration, Chaves will lose his immunity, opening the door to the many legal challenges that have built up during his time in office.
When reporters cornered him Monday outside the Escuela Metálica in San José at the start of the 2026 school year, Chaves kept things vague.
“That’s probably a question the people of Costa Rica will know the answer to around May 7,” he said, also confirming he plans to forgo the pension he’s entitled to as a former president.
Since the presidential election on February 2, President-elect Laura Fernández has expressed a clearly her desire for Chaves to serve as Minister of the Presidency—a role she once held before running for president and recently resumed after the election, marking a first in Costa Rican politics.
Chaves said he wants to talk with Fernández before deciding on any role in her government.
Q COSTARICA — A few days after President-elect Laura Fernández—who currently serves as Ministra de la Presidencia (Chief of Staff) under Rodrigo Chaves—urged outgoing members of Congress to ramp up their efforts to pass several bills.
On Monday, Rodrigo Arias, Speaker of Congress, stepped in to clarify that he doesn’t have the authority to call legislators in to work on Fridays or any other day outside the regular schedule.
“I want to remind everyone respectfully that the rules of this Legislative Assembly do not grant me, as Speaker, the power to convene extraordinary sessions, whether on Fridays or any other day,” Arias told the assembly.
This stance stands in stark contrast to what the President-elect said to the press on Thursday.
Fernández pointed out, “Did you know, people of Costa Rica, that if Mr. Rodrigo Arias decided the Assembly should work on bills on Fridays, the Assembly could do so—even on Fridays—for the benefit of the people? Maybe from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or heck, even from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.”
In a much softer tone than her boss, President Rodrigo Chaves, Fernández last week appealed to outgoing legislators to help make the most of the final two months of the current administration by pushing through several important projects for Costa Rica.
She emphasized that her priority is the country’s interest and offered to set up technical committees, hold discussions with experts, and visit project sites—like the Crucitas mining project—to support the process.
The requested bills:
Progress on the San José–San Ramón highway.
Climate resilience project to create an emergency response operations center.
Budget support plan to strengthen education, health, and security, among other areas.
Electric train.
Expropriation project to expedite public investment.
Crucitas mining project.
Law for medical specialists to increase the number of qualified professionals.
RICO’s Q — A new cold front or surge (lost count, I think it’s number 17 this season) will bring rain, strong winds, and cooler temperatures to Costa Rica, according to the national weather service, the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN).
Starting today, Monday, a significant increase in wind is expected, with gusts estimated between 75 km/h and 110 km/h in the North Pacific, and between 50 km/h and 75 km/h in the Central Valley.
Last Saturday night, it even rained—really rained for a short time—in several parts of the capital, and the national soccer classic was affected by the downpour. In Costa Rica, two things you don’t mess with one’s mother and futbol (soccer).
The IMN does not rule out the possibility of isolated showers in various parts of the country.
Summer typically ends around April to mid-May. But this year, we will go from the last rainy season to the next rainy season, skipping summer.
For those who know me personally, know that on Sundays, you can find me at the Santa Ana ‘Feria de el Agricultor’ (farmer’s market) with my pizza stand.
My Sunday crew
This “summer”, in December, I had to replace two of the three canopies when wind gusts got the better of me, and since, including last week (not taking chances), I had to reinforce the tie-downs that include two old car batteries (compact and heavy) and two cinder blocks (bulky, but do the job).
The market opens at 5 am—yeah, some folks really do crave pizza that early—but don’t worry, we’ve got plenty more, like calzone, great bread, brownies, espresso coffee, ‘bombos’, and more, it has been frickin cold until the sun stares down on us, and on a few occasions have had to deal with mid-day downpours.
The official weather forecast forMonday, February 23, 2026
This Monday, cold surge #17 is in the Caribbean Sea, again increasing the winds in Costa Rica, mainly in the north and center of the country. During the day, wind gusts of around 55 km/h are expected in the Central Valley and up to 85 km/h in the North Pacific. At night, they would increase to 75 km/h in the Central Valley and lower parts of Guanacaste, while, in the Guanacaste mountain range, they could exceed 100 km/h.
In general, in the regions of the Northern Zone, the Caribbean and mountains of the Central Valley, cloudy weather will predominate throughout the day, with drizzles and light rains in the mountains and a probability of occasional rains near the coast and the plains at night; Part of these rains will reach the mountains of the Central Valley. On the contrary, light to partial cloudiness will prevail in the Pacific regions.
Go to the IMN website for the latest Costa Rica weather info.
Q COSTARICA — In recent years, Costa Rica has been a magnet for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), generating wealth and thousands of quality jobs; in fact, a record US$5.008 billion was reached in 2024.
However, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), global market uncertainty, and competition to reduce costs with other destinations have led the free trade zone (zona francas) model and FDI to face a new paradigm that could mean more investment, but fewer jobs and even layoffs.
Between July of last year and February of this year, five large multinational corporations with a presence in Costa Rica announced staff reductions. Although they haven’t disclosed the exact number of people affected, it’s safe to say the impact will be significant.
For its part, Viant Medical announced on January 21 the layoff of 900 employees, while Qorvo, which had been operating in the country for almost 30 years, decided to relocate its operations to Asia to save resources.
On July 24, 2025, Intel announced the closure of its Assembly and Testing plant in the country, relocating those operations to Vietnam and Malaysia. The company did not specify the impact of this decision on the country in terms of job losses.
“Costa Rica is in an uncomfortable transition. We are moving away from being an ‘attractive destination for multiple reasons’ and trying to become a ‘high-tech’ destination, but the exchange rate, adverse geopolitics, and the speed of AI are accelerating that transition faster than our workforce and political and economic pace can adapt. The question is: will there be more layoffs? To be realistic and direct: it’s likely,” said Alexander Mora, former Minister of Foreign Trade.
On this topic, Laura López, general manager of Procomer, noted that the good news is that, despite the aforementioned reductions, the country continues to attract foreign companies at a good pace.
Despite this, she explained that challenges remain, while also noting that companies are undergoing normal adjustment processes due to changes in demand, technology, and their business models.
“The international environment has become more challenging; the geopolitical situation, trade fragmentation, and technological acceleration have raised the bar for countries competing for foreign direct investment. The adjustments some companies are making are primarily due to global decisions related to these technological transformations and operational reorganizations, and not to a structural deterioration of the country’s conditions,” López added.
Amazon, Viant Medical, Qorvo, and Heineken announced layoffs that would affect thousands of Costa Ricans, but investment is reporting record figures. Geopolitical factors, trade fragmentation, costs, and AI have raised the bar for countries competing to attract companies.
*For 2025, only the cumulative data from January to September 2025 is included, as the final figure is not yet available. The Central Bank will release the report in the coming weeks
What to do?
Faced with this situation, the response begins with accelerating the adaptation of human talent to the new productive and technological needs that are redefining employment worldwide, but also with strengthening the conditions that allow this talent to enter and remain in high-value-added sectors.
“Effective mitigation requires an accelerated transition to a ‘second-generation knowledge economy,’ focused on the massive retraining (upskilling and reskilling) of talent in areas where technology is still irreplaceable, such as strategic thinking, AI architecture, and semiconductor management. At the same time, the government must reduce the distortions that increase the cost of local operations, such as electricity costs, taxes, and social security contributions,” said Daniel Suchar, an economic analyst.
(OPINION) — Dear President-Elect Fernández, congratulations on your election! I hope you will bring to Costa Rica the security and prosperity its people deserve.
You ran on a platform dedicated to combating crime, and one of President Chaves’ signature projects was the building of a new prison. Yet it doesn’t matter how many prisons you build if the courts refuse to convict the criminals, or even hear the victims’ cases.
I have been fighting several property cases in Herradura for twenty years. Although I am not a citizen, foreign investors like myself bring a great deal of capital to Costa Rica. But my crusade has not just been to regain my properties, stolen by squatters bankrolled by criminals, but to effect reform in the judicial system for other expats and Ticos who have been similarly victimized, but lack the resources to fight injustice.
Last week, I had to come to the Municipalidad of Garabito (Jacó) because I was sent a tax bill for three houses I have never lived in, on property I have never set foot on. In other words, I am being taxed for three illegal houses built by squatters!
I won my court case against them last year, but their appeal was approved, and appeals here can take up to six years. I will be 79 next month. The squatters hope to outlive me.
Sixteen years ago, I brought a civil suit against another group of squatters. Again, these were not impoverished peasants the Agrarian Law was meant to empower, but criminals using that well-intentioned law to steal undeveloped land that had become very valuable due to its proximity to the Los Sueños Marriott.
Just as the case was about to be settled, I was informed the title had been forged. The
prosecutor filed a criminal case against the forger. As you may know, in Costa Rica, a criminal case “pends” any civil case.
However, the criminal case took fifteen years! The lawyer was found guilty last year, but when I moved to reopen the civil case, I was told the file had been destroyed because all pending cases are archived after 10 years. I informed the court that I had copies of all the relevant documents in the file, but was told the Court would still not reopen my civil case and left me without recourse to regain that lot, despite being vindicated in the criminal trial.
These are just two of the miscarriages of justice I have suffered in the last two decades. I
implore you to enact legislation that will make the judiciary effective and efficient. This, I
believe, will diminish and deter crime as much, if not more, than maximum security prisons.
Sheldon Marshall Haseltine
Escazu
The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Qcostarica.com.
Editor’s note: In Costa Rica, it is not strictly accurate to say a criminal case automatically “pends” (pauses or halts) any civil case. Rather, the legal system prioritizes the criminal proceeding when both cases share the same facts.
OPINION — Pension systems across the globe are reaching a breaking point, and anyone relying on a U.S. pension—or similar programs elsewhere—is facing tough realities.
Anyone dependent on a U.S. pension is screwed—other countries cannot escape reality.
Costa Rica is a striking example, where public sector pension obligations have ballooned to unsustainable levels. With powerful public sector unions and politicians locked into short, four-year terms, meaningful reform remains elusive, pushing the country toward a looming pension crisis.
The challenge is hardly unique to Costa Rica.
In the UK, the much-touted “triple lock” guarantee on state pensions—designed to protect retirees from inflation and wage stagnation—is increasingly under threat as demographic shifts place heavier burdens on fewer working taxpayers.
Across many developed nations, aging populations supported by shrinking workforces create a financial crunch that politicians often ignore, knowing they won’t be around when the fallout hits.
Public sector unions in these countries take pride in their generous pension benefits, but rising inflation steadily erodes their real value. Legal protections often block necessary reforms, leaving pensions vulnerable to economic pressures
As governments struggle to balance budgets, retirees may find their promised benefits becoming worth less and less, a reality that powerful unions and politicians alike have so far failed to confront head-on.
Q COSTARICA — In an unexpected turn for international trade, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday, February 20, the imposition of a new 10% across-the-board tariff.
The measure comes just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the tariffs, ruling that the president had exceeded his authority under the guise of a “national emergency.”
The conservative-majority Court ruled 6-3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 does not authorize the president to impose tariffs; according to the ruling, that power resides exclusively with Congress.
In response, Trump declared himself “deeply disappointed” and lashed out at the justices, accusing them of bowing to “foreign interests” for “politically correct” reasons.
To establish the new temporary tariff, the president reacted swiftly, invoking the 1974 Trade Law and defending the use of tariffs as a negotiating tool, even attributing to them the resolution of international conflicts in 2025.
For Costa Rica, the optimism was short-lived, as this morning, the export sector, celebrating the elimination of a 15% tariff, will now have to face this new 10% rate.
Although it represents a reduction compared to the previous rate, it signifies the continuation of trade barriers for Costa Rica products exported to the United States.
Q COSTARICA — high taxes added to the cost of airfare were the main reason why the low-cost airline Volaris suspended intraregional flights between Central American nations, including four flights that operated in Costa Rica.
This was confirmed by Volaris’ general manager for the region, Ronny Rodríguez, who indicated that this situation was affecting the airline’s image. Despite offering low ticket prices to passengers, they ultimately end up paying much more in taxes, leading people to believe that the fares are not truly competitive.
He explained that when they arrived in the region, with Costa Rica as their first country of operation, initial fares were US$240 for a round-trip flight. This created competition with other airlines that charged much more. Furthermore, $110 of that price corresponded to taxes.
The Volaris spokesperson clarified that in recent times they have continued to lower the price of their routes, reaching as low as US$80 for a round trip. There have even been times when they had lower fares, but these always double when the tax is added, without managing to penetrate these routes as they have in other markets.
“In Costa Rica alone, the taxes and departure fees that passengers must pay to and from the country represent about 57% of the final price the customer pays for their ticket,” added Rodriguez.
Legislator blames President Chaves
Costa Rica legislator Eliécer Feinzaig asserts that Volaris’s announced decision to suspend four routes from Costa Rica is a direct consequence of Rodrigo Chaves’s veto of the low-cost flight bill. Read more: Rodrigo Chaves vetoes bill for low-cost flights in Central America
The vetoed bill aimed to reduce the price of air tickets to travel to Central American countries by lowering the departure tax and encouraging airlines to reduce ticket prices.
The congressman’s criticism stems from the airline’s announcement on Thursday that it will suspend, starting in April, flights to and from San José, Guatemala, Tegucigalpa, San Salvador, and Miami. Routes within Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras will also be suspended.
“Volaris’s regrettable decision to cancel four routes to and from Costa Rica is a direct result of President Chaves’ obstruction of the Central American low-cost flight bill. It’s unacceptable that an airline offers flights for US$37 per segment and then passengers have to pay US$40 or US$50 in taxes on those same flights—that is, that the tax is more than what is paid to the airline,” he stated.
Q COSTARICA — Guanacaste Airport in Liberia (LIR) and the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) announced the arrival of the first charter flight from Poland, marking a new milestone in national air connectivity.
Starting in October, Rainbow Tours will operate eleven charter flights to Guanacaste, using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with a capacity of 251 passengers.
The flights will be operated by LOT Polish Airlines, with one weekly flight from two Polish cities.
The Warsaw Chopin Airport (AWA) – Guanacaste (LIR) route will operate from October 8 to 29.
The Katowice International Airport (KTW) – Guanacaste (LIR) route will operate from November 5 to December 17.
According to data from the ICT, a total of 8,837 Polish tourists visited Costa Rica in 2025.
So far this year, 524 passengers have entered the country through Guanacaste Airport.
Tourism Minister William Rodríguez emphasized that this new route will strengthen connectivity with Europe and generate employment in Guanacaste and the surrounding areas.
Rodríguez thanked Rainbow Tours for their confidence in Costa Rica and assured travelers that they will enjoy the gastronomy, biodiversity, and the “Pura Vida” spirit.
Rainbow Tours, founded in 1990, is one of Poland’s leading tour operators. The company is a member of the Polish Chamber of Tourism and a founding member of the Polish Association of Tour Operators.
For Maciej Szczechura, CEO of Rainbow Tours, Costa Rica has been a dream destination for Polish travelers for years.
Szczechura stated that he is proud to be the first Polish tour operator to bring this extraordinary country closer to its clients.
He highlighted that Costa Rica offers a vibrant culture, the “Pura Vida” spirit, and natural beauty that deeply resonates with travelers.
César Jaramillo, General Manager of Guanacaste Airport, celebrated this new direct connection with Europe.
Jaramillo stated that Guanacaste offers everything Polish travelers seek: a warm, attractive, and outstanding vacation destination.
The executive highlighted the work done to attract new routes and position the destination in European markets with no prior connection to Costa Rica.
The arrival of the first flight from Poland confirms the growth in tourism and the opening of new opportunities for the country.
Q COSTARICA — After clarifying that a person’s self-identification as a domestic or wild animal does not imply any biological transformation that justifies veterinary intervention, the Colegio de Médicos Veterinarios (College of Veterinary Physicians) asked its members not to provide consultations to “Therians.”
It even warned of possible legal consequences.
The term “Therian” refers to people who identify spiritually or psychologically as an animal. Unlike a costume or a hobby, for a Therian this identity is intrinsic; they feel that, inside, they are an animal, even though they recognize that they inhabit a human body.
In recent weeks, the Therian phenomenon has sparked curiosity, ridicule, and astonishment as it has spread rapidly throughout Latin America.
“To veterinary professionals and veterinary healthcare providers: Reject any request for medical care from humans who self-identify as ‘Therian.’ Examinations, diagnoses, and treatments on humans are not permitted, under penalty of ethical sanctions, possible charges of practicing the profession without a license, professional misconduct, and related civil liability,” the College stated.
Furthermore, Dr. Silvia Coto, president of the College, indicated that they “respect identity diversity as long as it does not compromise public health and animal welfare.”
Prohibited Activity
On another note, the Municipality of Santa Ana is the first local government to reject the holding of a Therian event this weekend in the canton.
“The local government informs the community that the municipality has not authorized this mass event for the use of Santa Ana Park,” they stated on their Instagram account.
Q COSTARICA — One day after Rodrigo Chaves announced a new presidential veto, opposition members of the Legislative Assembly approved the bill on the execution of sentences in its second debate.
The law passed Thursday night in second and final debate does not change convictions or reduce sentences; rather, it establishes clear rules and regulations on how sentences are served once a person has been convicted.
Currently, many decisions regarding the execution of sentences, such as prison benefits, changes in prison conditions, transfers, and disciplinary measures, are based on administrative circulars and criteria that are not always formally established in law. Therefore, in principle, political decisions are sometimes made, or decisions are based on informal criteria.
The proposal was approved with the votes of 33 legislators from the PLN, the Frente Amplio, the PUSC, Nueva República, and independent legislators, while the ruling party legislators voted against it.
What happens now?
Following its approval in second debate, the bill goes to the Presidential Palace for President Chaves’s signature.
Because he announced he would veto the proposal, the Legislative Assembly will need 38 votes in plenary session to override the president’s veto and definitively approve the new law.
Otherwise, the bill will suffer what is known in legislative jargon as a “faithful burial,” passing through all the Assembly’s procedures only to fail in the final stage of the process.
“They just approved the ‘Ley de Ejecución de la Pena’, a project of the Judiciary, to legalize the complicity we are experiencing today, where the judges overseeing execution of sentences will continue to have control and release people without respecting technical criteria,” President Chaves stated previously.
Among his arguments is, for example, that a single judge overseeing execution of sentences can overturn a ruling by a criminal court.
He also emphasized that the recommendations issued by the National Institute of Criminology, which includes social workers, psychologists, and criminologists, are not binding.
For their part, opposition members of parliament stated that the law on the execution of sentences is a long-standing debt of Costa Rica.
They also stressed that the vision within the bill is to achieve the reintegration into society of people who have committed a crime, while ensuring that individuals are treated with dignity. They reject the notion that it constitutes complicity.
“It is a national responsibility and a responsibility of this Legislative Assembly to approve this law. The law is correct; the law is in accordance with the law. When a sentence is imposed, the parties who disagree can appeal, even to the Supreme Court. But once the sentence is final, it must be carried out according to the treatment parameters within the prison system, of course, but under judicial oversight,” said Gloria Navas, an independent member of parliament.
Q24N (The Guardian) Felix Valdés García was just nine when the revolutionaries came to destroy his family’s trees, a symbol of a sweeping change that would ripple through Cuba for decades.
In the late 1960s, as Cuba’s communist regime launched the Revolutionary Offensive, Felix’s father lost their 800-hectare farm to a campaign aimed at clearing land for an immense sugar cane harvest — a desperate bid for financial independence that uprooted families and livelihoods.
American cars from the 1950s can still be seen on the streets of Havana
For years, the Valdés family lived off rich soil by the Sagua River, surrounded by fruit trees and kin. But the dynamite that felled their trees marked the start of a long, painful decline. Today, Felix’s story echoes a nation’s unraveling. Cuba’s communist revolution, once a beacon for the international left and a source of pride for its achievements in education and healthcare, is crumbling amid economic hardship and political stagnation.
The island’s economy has nosedived, shrinking by over 11% between 2019 and 2024 and continuing to falter into 2025. Streets overflow with trash and beggars, power outages darken homes for hours, and food scarcity haunts daily life. Inflation has spawned a tiny elite able to import goods, while the majority struggle to afford basic necessities.
Once tight-knit communities are fraying, and hope is in short supply.
Older generations, who sacrificed for the revolution’s promise of equality and solidarity, find themselves abandoned. Pensions barely cover daily needs, and many younger Cubans have fled, seeking opportunity abroad. The government blames the decades-long US embargo, but critics point to mismanagement and failed economic reforms. Attempts to diversify through tourism, biotech, and energy have faltered, leaving infrastructure to decay.
Inside Cuba, protests meet harsh repression, and cynicism runs deep. The revolutionary dream that once inspired loyalty now prompts bitter questions: what was it all for? Intellectuals and professionals of the revolution’s early years see their descendants pushed into menial labor or exile.
Across the Florida Straits, Miami’s Cuban exile community watches anxiously, some even supporting stronger US intervention. Meanwhile, Cuban dissidents, like political prisoner-turned-exile José Daniel Ferrer, hold out hope for freedom and democracy after decades of repression.
Young Cubans still play football in Antonio Maceo Park. Photographs: Jason P Howe/The Guardian
Yet amid the despair, moments of quiet resilience persist. Felix, now a philosopher, revisited the land his family lost, planting a lemon tree in a clearing where the farm once stood. As a butterfly flitted by, the gesture was a small act of renewal in a country still searching for its future.
Cuba’s revolution may be nearing its end, but the memories, losses, and hopes it stirred remain deeply rooted in its people — a complex legacy that defies easy answers.
This is a brief overview of the article “No water or electricity, and children begging in streets filled with rubbish – but this is why I won’t leave Cuba,” originally published in The Guardian. Follow this link to read the full article.
Q COSTARICA — Yesterday, Wednesday, 18 February, the dollar exchange rate reached its lowest value in the Mercado de Monedas Extranjeras (Monex) — Foreign Exchange Market, since 2005, according to the Central Bank.
The U.S. dollar surpassed the record reached the previous Friday of ¢482.1 colones per unit and closed yesterday at ¢479.5 colones.
But what is happening to make the dollar so cheap in Costa Rica? Why is the national market flooded with dollars? And how long could this situation last?
Record export figures, the recovery and peak season of tourism, continued growth in Foreign Direct Investment (FDi), and a prudent policy by Costa Rica’s Banco Central (Central Bank) regarding the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) explain the phenomenon, according to several economists consulted by La República.
All of this has led not only to the U.S. dollar reaching historic lows, but also to the country’s international reserves reaching a record US$18.6 billion, with the prospect of surpassing the US$20 billion mark in the medium term.
“The growth in international reserves is due to a combination of factors. These include a greater inflow of foreign currency into the country, resulting from exports, tourism, foreign direct investment, and external financing, as well as prudent monetary policy management by the Central Bank. Furthermore, the strengthening of market confidence in the country’s macroeconomic stability has contributed to a greater accumulation of reserves,” explained Elizabeth Morales, Deputy Manager of Coopecaja.
The data
In 2022, when Rodrigo Chaves was inaugurated as president, FDi totaled just US$3.164 billion. By 2023, the figure had increased to US$3.788 billion; In 2024, it reached US$4.318 billion, and in 2025 it stood at US$3.533 billion, all amounts higher than those observed at the beginning of the current administration.
As for exports, these increased from US$15.587 billion in 2022 to a record US$22.855 billion at the end of the previous year.
In the case of tourism, year-on-year growth was only 1% between 2024 and 2025; however, the sector has already accumulated four consecutive months, since October of last year, with increases ranging between 5.9% and 13.6%, in addition to robust performance in previous years.
All these sectors have contributed to a steady increase in the inflow of dollars into the economy.
In addition, the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), set by the Central Bank, has been slowly decreasing since 2023, when it was set at 9% to protect the economy from the war between Russia and Ukraine and the rise in international oil prices.
Today, the MPR stands at 3.25%, still far from the 1.75% recorded in 2022.
This situation also reduces the demand for dollars in the local market.
“The Central Bank of Costa Rica maintains a monetary policy that has resulted in a relatively higher policy interest rate than might be expected, given the negative inflation levels. This leads to a preference for demand for colones for savings and investment, while reducing demand for dollars,” explained Vidal Villalobos, financial advisor at Grupo Financiero Prival.
Finally, the government’s borrowing through Eurobonds in the international market has prevented pressure on the local market for financing, which also contributes to a greater availability of dollars.
The Outlook
So, what will happen during Laura Fernández’s administration? Will there be any changes in the dollar’s behavior?
The president-elect has indicated that she cannot intervene to set the exchange rate, as that is the function of the Central Bank, which operates based on technical criteria.
However, she did note that Costa Rica no longer receives dollars sporadically, as was the case in the past with the peak tourist season or year-end payments, but rather there is now a constant inflow of dollars.
“Our economy has changed. The Costa Rican economy now has a regular, non-seasonal flow of dollars circulating, unlike before, when the peak tourist season arrived. There are even companies that pay salaries in dollars,” Fernández stated.
A cheap dollar is a mirage that ends up costing the economy dearly.
The exchange rate is currently one of the factors most affecting the tourism sector, especially small and medium-sized businesses, due to the accumulated appreciation of the colón over the last three years.
Although tourism companies have maintained high-quality standards, the appreciation of the colón has reduced income in local currency, while income is in dollars, creating a financial imbalance.
The outlook for the dollar is that it will stay within a pretty tight range, between ¢500 and ¢525 colones during 2026.
Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica could once again hold a referendum similar to the one in 2007, when Costa Ricans voted to join the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States.
Laura Fernández, Costa Rica’s president-elect, confirmed in an exclusive interview with LA REPÚBLICA that the possibility of calling a referendum is on the table.
However, she clarified that she prefers to negotiate first with the opposition parties in Congress to avoid the enormous expense that a referendum would entail.
The president-elect called on the opposition to put aside their political differences and forget about Rodrigo Chaves, Pilar Cisneros, and herself, and to start working for the country as soon as possible. The idea is that they not disregard the broad popular mandate that the Sovereign People received at the polls.
Regarding security, Fernández is planning a package of projects to implement a tougher approach, change the juvenile criminal law, and improve aspects related to the execution of sentences.
She also plans to reform the National Learning Institute (INA) to better align it with the labor market and develop 20 flagship infrastructure projects.
To achieve all of this, she insists that her first option is to rely on her 31-member legislative bloc (29 seats needed for a majority) and engage in political negotiations with other parties in Congress, but reiterates that she “does not fear the people of Costa Rica” and that she could call for a referendum to validate a strategic issue if there is a deadlock.
A resounding victory
Laura Fernández’s victory, representing the Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO), is the most decisive in a presidential election in 32 years.
The president-elect did not require a runoff election to secure the win, unlike four other times this century.
According to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal:
1994 José María Figueres (PLN) 49.6%
1998 Miguel Ángel Rodríguez (PUSC) 47.0%
2002 Abel Pacheco (PUSC) 38.6%*
2006 Óscar Arias (PLN) 40.9%
2010 Laura Chinchilla (PLN) 46.9%
2014 Luis Guillermo Solís (PAC) 30.6%*
2018 Carlos Alvarado (PAC) 21.6%*
2022 Rodrigo Chaves (Progreso Social) 27.3%*
2026 Laura Fernández (Pueblo Soberano) 48.3%
*Results in first round voting. In the second round, Abel Pacheco (2002), Luis Guillermo Solís (2014), Carlos Alvarado (2018), and Rodrigo Chaves (2022) were proclaimed as presidents.
RICO’s Q—This week, the US dollar is at a very low point against the Costa Rican Colón, trading around ¢470–¢485.
This is a translated and adapted excerpt from economist Oswald Céspedes Torres’s opinion piece, “Estas son las víctimas silenciosas del dólar barato en Costa Rica,” originally published in La Nación.
I wanted to share with you.
The exchange rate is not just a financial price. It is also a price that directly influences the country’s productive structure, employment, and competitiveness. It is time to generate a debate about which sectors are absorbing the cost of the colón’s prolonged appreciation.
There are two Costa Rican economies. One is growing at headline-grabbing rates, driven by exports of medical devices, software, and high-value services from free trade zones. The other barely grows… when it grows at all. This is the Costa Rica of coffee, bananas, agribusiness, local manufacturing, and tourism outside the main tourist destinations. It’s the Costa Rica of the permanent tax regime. And in recent years, this second Costa Rica has faced the effects of significant currency appreciation that has altered its competitiveness.
Since mid-2022, the colón has strengthened by approximately 25% against the dollar, rising from levels close to 690 colones to around 500 colones, according to data from the Central Bank of Costa Rica.
For importers, this reduces costs. For urban consumers, it helps contain inflation. For the government, it reduces the cost in colones of servicing the external debt. But for those who produce locally and sell in dollar-linked markets, this change significantly alters their relative cost structure.
The mechanism is straightforward. A company that pays its payroll in colones but competes in international markets sees its costs, measured in dollars, automatically increase when the colón appreciates. A monthly payroll of 500 million colones was equivalent to approximately $722,000 in July 2022. With an exchange rate close to 500 colones, that same expense is equivalent to about $1 million. There were no salary increases. There was no expansion of operations. The only thing that changed was the relative value of the currency. And since these companies are price takers in international markets—they cannot pass on this higher cost to the external buyer—the appreciation impacts their profit margins without any possibility of compensation.
Business surveys reflect this reality. The Chamber of Industries’ Business Outlook Survey identified the exchange rate as one of the main factors negatively affecting the competitiveness of the local manufacturing sector (a factor that, prior to 2022, was not among the sector’s central concerns).
Meanwhile, the Real Effective Exchange Rate Index (REER), published by the Central Bank itself, shows a sustained real appreciation since that year, implying a relative increase in the price of goods produced in Costa Rica compared to its international competitors: Colombia, Mexico, Chile, and the Dominican Republic, among others.
The impact has not been uniform. While exports under the special regime have maintained high growth rates, those under the definitive regime have grown at a considerably slower pace. This divergence reflects structural differences in productivity, international integration, and, importantly, in the degree of exposure to the real exchange rate. The sectors with the strongest local presence—those that generate employment in more regions of the country—are precisely those with the greatest exposure.
The effect on employment is more difficult to observe directly because it doesn’t manifest as visible layoffs, but rather as less job creation, slower production growth, and postponed investment decisions. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses, the period following the currency appreciation coincided with a significant reduction in labor force participation, particularly in sectors intensive in local production. These are jobs that were not created, not jobs that were lost: a distinction that aggregate statistics don’t always clearly capture.
It is important to note that this outcome is not solely due to monetary policy decisions. It also reflects the interaction of multiple factors: capital flows, external financing of the public sector, the dynamism of specific export sectors, and the dynamics of the global foreign exchange market itself. The Central Bank, in accordance with its mandate, has intervened in the market to preserve macroeconomic stability and prevent abrupt fluctuations, a legitimate and necessary objective.
However, recognizing the legitimacy of this objective does not imply ignoring that exchange rate movements have real and differentiated effects on the country’s productive structure. A prolonged appreciation can benefit some sectors and harm others. This is an inherent reality of open economies and does not, in itself, imply a policy error. But it does underscore the importance of an informed debate about its implications: about which sectors absorb the cost, which regions are left behind, and which instruments (such as a more developed foreign exchange hedging market or more transparent intervention criteria) could better distribute that cost among those who have the capacity to manage it.
The exchange rate is not just a financial price. It is also a price that directly influences the country’s productive structure, employment, and competitiveness. Costa Rica has built solid macroeconomic institutions over decades. The challenge ahead is to ensure that macroeconomic stability is compatible with broad and inclusive productive growth, one that also reaches the “second Costa Rica,” the one that doesn’t make the headlines but sustains the productive fabric of the regions.
Q COSTARICA — The therian trend continues to generate reactions worldwide, and Costa Rica is no exception: one Costa Rican business has already taken a proactive measure across all its locations.
Perro Café, a pet supply store, announced on its social media that it reserves the right of admission and will prohibit the entry of therians into its five locations, citing security concerns over the use of masks and “inappropriate behavior”.
“We’ve received several messages asking if we sell products for therians, so we’re taking this into account,” they posted on their social media, along with a photo that reads: “Therians are not allowed.”
The post was flooded with comments in support of the business.
After an inquiry via WhatsApp, the business explained: “For security reasons, people wearing masks or exhibiting inappropriate behavior are not allowed entry.”
What is a therian?
A therian is a person who identifies as a non-human animal, either wholly or partially, and the term has become a trending topic in recent days, especially in Uruguay and Argentina.
This doesn’t mean that these individuals believe they have a physical animal body, but rather that their emotional, mental, or spiritual identity is linked to a specific animal species. That’s why it’s very common to see people wearing masks and tails, moving around on all fours in plazas and parks.
Some identify with a wolf, a fox, a cat, or a bird, among other species. They record themselves and post their videos, which go viral on TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms.
The term “therian” derives from “therianthropy,” which in Greek means “beast” and “human being.”
Q COSTARICA — Legislators have approved reforms to the Ley de Tránsito (Traffic Law) and the Código Penal (Penal Code) aimed at cracking down on drivers under the influence of illicit drugs. The legislation, passed in the second and final debate, marks a decisive step toward enhancing road safety and reducing traffic accidents linked to drug impairment.
Under the new rules, drivers caught operating vehicles while impaired by illegal substances face the same penalty as drivers driving under the influence of alcohol, sanctioned with a ¢363,000 colones fine (approximately US$740) and risk accumulating points on the driver’s license, immediate license suspension, and the potential for vehicle impoundment. Driving while intoxicated by drugs can also lead to immediate arrest and imprisonment. Sentences for serious cases or repeat offenders can range from 1 to 3 years or more.
This move closes a longstanding gap in the country’s traffic regulations, which until now primarily targeted alcohol-impaired driving, but drug-related offenses behind the wheel remained in a legal gray area.
Authorities hope the reforms will act as a strong deterrent to drug-impaired driving, which has been identified as a growing concern on Costa Rican roads. Recent studies and accident reports have highlighted the rising presence of illicit drugs as a factor in traffic incidents, prompting lawmakers to reinforce legal consequences.
The law also introduces stricter enforcement measures, including roadside drug testing and more frequent inspections by traffic police. These tools aim to improve detection rates and ensure that offenders are promptly identified and prosecuted.
Regarding the procedure for detecting drug use, officers will follow a specific protocol. First, they will administer a breathalyzer test, which is already in use. At this stage, drivers have the right to request a second test with a different device if they disagree with the result and to verify that the equipment is properly calibrated.
If a driver tests negative for alcohol, but the officer notices suspicious behavior such as acting strangely, having red eyes, speaking incoherently, or other abnormal conduct, they may request a saliva sample. This analysis will determine if the person is under the influence of any other illicit drugs.
It’s not against consumption, it’s against danger.
Legislator Horacio Alvarado, who presented the initiative, emphasized that the law does not seek to criminalize those who consume drugs, but rather to protect other drivers and pedestrians. The main objective is to remove from the roads those who, under the influence of substances, lose their reflexes and could cause a tragedy.
This legal change comes at a critical time, when traffic accidents continue to claim lives every week on the country’s roads.
Important notes for visitors driving in Costa Rica:
These laws apply uniformly to both Costa Ricans, residents, and tourists.
Insurance Forfeiture: If a driver is caught driving under the influence, most insurance policies—including those from rental companies won’t cover any damage or liability.
Don’t try to bribe a traffic officer. If you get a traffic ticket, you should pay it at a state bank (Banco de Costa Rica or Banco Nacional, for example) or through your car rental company.
Visitors can drive with their “home country” license for the duration of the legal stay (immigration stamp on passport) in Costa Rica.
Q COSTARICA — After warning that the possibility of a rescue is very limited, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Costa Ricans in Cuba to leave the island as soon as possible.
This is due to the unprecedented energy crisis in Cuba.
The number of Costa Ricans currently on the island is unknown.
“Due to the worsening shortages of fuel, electricity, and basic goods such as food, water, and medicine in Cuba, all Costa Ricans remaining on the island are urged to leave while commercial flights are available. Likewise, the suspension of non-essential travel to Cuba is recommended,” an official statement indicated.
The Ministry noted that the possibilities of evacuating Costa Ricans, whether residents or tourists, in case of emergency are very limited, and that the necessary economic and material resources are currently unavailable.
If you require assistance, you can contact the Consulate General of Costa Rica in Havana by email at concr-cu@rree.go.cr or by phone at (0053) 7204-6937 / (0053) 7204-6938.
The unprecedented energy crisis in Cuba was exacerbated by the cessation of oil shipments from Venezuela following the overthrow of Nicolás Maduro on January 3rd in a US-led military operation.
Historically, the Costa Rican presence in Cuba has included students—particularly those on medical scholarships—and a small community of expatriates. There has also been historical cultural exchange, notably between the town of Nicoya and Cuba. In recent years, relations have focused on trade in medical products and animal food.
Q COSTARICA — Royal Caribbean presented its annual launch event in Costa Rica, aligned with its global “It’s Big Time” campaign, which reflects its leadership within the cruise industry.
During the presentation, the brand’s main innovations and the most popular routes among Costa Rican travelers were unveiled.
Among the highlights was the Icon Class, considered the company’s most innovative fleet. Each ship represents a us$2 billion investment and is established as a destination in itself.
From Florida, Royal Caribbean will operate itineraries with the ships Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas, offering routes from Miami and Port Canaveral.
Likewise, the visa-free Panama Route aboard the Grandeur of the Seas continues to be a favorite among Costa Ricans, with destinations such as Aruba, Curaçao, and Cartagena.
The cruise line is also promoting its Ultimate Destinations portfolio, which includes exclusive land-based experiences such as Perfect Day at CocoCay and the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau.
With over four decades of presence in Costa Rica, Royal Caribbean maintains a strong local presence through GSA Representaciones, reinforcing its relationship with the market and reaffirming its commitment to the region.
