Q COSTARICA — Inflation in Costa Rica maintained its negative trend in March, settling at -2.09% year-on-year, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC).
With this result, the indicator has now remained below the Central Bank’s target range of 2% to 4% for 35 consecutive months.
The last time inflation was within this range was in April 2023, when it reached 3%.
After registering positive values between December 2024 and April 2025, the indicator returned to negative territory in May of last year.
Since then, inflation has maintained a downward trajectory, with negative figures in every subsequent month.
Although March marks the eleventh consecutive month with negative inflation, the indicator showed a slight rebound compared to February.
On a monthly basis, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) registered an increase of 0.34% during March.
The INEC reported that 48% of goods and services increased in price, while 35% decreased and 17% remained unchanged.
Among the products with the largest price increases were international tour packages, eggs, lemons, tomatoes, and airline tickets.
Increases were also recorded in services such as movie tickets, municipal services, and fuel.
Conversely, products like cabbage, papaya, potatoes, rice, and some durable goods such as cars and washing machines showed price decreases.
By sector, recreation and culture led the price increases, while transportation, financial services, and clothing saw decreases during the month.
Q COSTARICA — Western Canadians no longer have to travel to Toronto or Montreal to visit Costa Rica, with the announcement of Air Canada of the direct Vancouver-Guanacaste route.
The service will begin on December 13, 2026, and run until April 12, 2027, with flights on Mondays and Thursdays, arriving in Guanacaste at 7:35 a.m., according to the official schedule.
“We are delighted to offer this beautiful and exclusive leisure market from Vancouver next winter,” said Alexandre Lefevre, Vice President of Global Sales and Network Planning at Air Canada.
“Our new route to Costa Rica is strategically positioned to connect with a wide variety of flights at our Vancouver hub,” he added.
The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) highlighted that this opening is the result of ongoing work with airlines and industry stakeholders to expand connectivity.
“Canada is a priority market for Costa Rica, not only because of its volume, but also because of the quality of its demand,” stated William Rodríguez, Minister of Tourism.
“Expanding connections with the west coast allows us to advance in the geographic diversification of our visitors’ origins,” Rodríguez added.
Guanacaste Airport thus consolidates its leadership as the terminal with the most direct routes to Canada, including cities such as Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal.
“We celebrate the expansion of Air Canada’s operations with the new flights from Vancouver,” indicated César Jaramillo, General Manager of Guanacaste Airport.
“These figures reaffirm the confidence of Canadians in Guanacaste and in the destination’s potential,” Jaramillo concluded.
Zeus, a dog trained for rescue in high-risk areas. Photo: Costa Rica Fire Department.
Q COSTARICA — The so-called “summer” or “dry” season didn’t really show up this year, but the “rainy” season is just around the corner.
According to the experts, meteorologists from the national weather service, the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional de Costa Rica (IMN), the following is a timeline of the 2026 rainy season:
South Pacific: between April 27 and May 2
Central Valley: between April 29 and May 8
Central Pacific: between May 2 and 10
North Pacific: between May 6 and 13
Northern part of Northern Zone: between May 11 and 13.
The southern part of the Northern Zone and the Caribbean are the only regions without estimated dates, as the rainy season generally occurs year-round.
Among the characteristics of this year’s rainfall is a decrease: from April to June, it will be between 15% and 20%; from July to August, between 10% and 20%; and from September to November, between 10% and 30%.
In addition, temperatures will rise between April and November: up to 1.5°C in the North Pacific and around 1°C in the rest of the country.
As for the Atlantic hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30 each year, early forecasts released today, April 9, 2026, suggest between nine and twelve systems, below normal. Last year was notable for its intensity rather than volume. While it had a near-normal total of 13 named storms, it produced three Category 5 hurricanes, the second-most on record for a single season.
Q COSTARICA — Considering them a threat to national security, the government of Rodrigo Chaves has declared Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthi movement in Yemen, among others, as terrorist organizations.
With this declaration, their members will be barred from entering Costa Rica, and the entry of their illicit assets into Costa Rican soil will be investigated.
The Minister of Security, Mario Zamora, announced the decision on Wednesday during the press conference following the weekly cabinet meeting.
“These four organizations pose risks to international security, and Costa Rica is taking proactive measures to ensure that our border security barriers and immigration systems protect the country from these threats,” the minister stated.
The designated groups are considered declared enemies of the United States and the State of Israel, which adds geopolitical weight to the measure adopted by Costa Rica.
“At the United Nations level, there are organizations dedicated to this, and there are groups designated as terrorists. At the national level, it corresponds to the Consejo Nacional de Seguridad Presidencial (National Presidential Security Council), and from the Cancilleria (Foreign Ministry) we coordinate the international issue with allied countries with whom we share the relevant information,” said Foreign Minister Arnoldo André.
Countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism face severe economic, financial, and diplomatic restrictions, such as arms export bans, suspension of economic aid, blocking of international loans, and limitations on access to the global financial system.
Q COSTARICA — Traditionally, the transfer of power on May 8 every four years has been held at 1:00 p..m.; however, this year Laura Fernandez will receive the presidential sash from Rodrigo Chaves at 11:00 a.m.
The reason given by the Comisión del Traspaso de Poderes (Transition Commission) on informing the Legislative Assembly was to avoid potential disruptions due to the possibility of rain in the afternoon.
According to the organizers, the change aims to ensure the smooth running of the cultural program and the official ceremony.
“This decision is a preventative measure aimed at mitigating the potential adverse effects of the weather conditions,” explained Juan Marcos Vargas, president of the Commission.
The official added that the event will bring together a large number of attendees and international delegations.
For this reason, the goal is to ensure optimal conditions for safety, mobility, and adherence to the protocol.
Q COSTARICA — The Middle East conflict, more specifically the war between the United States and Iran, will result in a sharp increase in the price of gasoline in Costa Rica in May.
On Wednesday, the Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (Recope)—the Costa Rican oil refinery that refines nothing—announced that there will be an increase of ¢85 colones per liter for super gasoline, ¢67 colones for regular gasoline, and ¢136 colones for diesel.
Other fuels, such as natural gas and aviation fuel, will also see increases.
The government of Rodrigo Chaves clarified, however, that fuel prices are not expected to exceed ¢1,000 colones, as happened in 2022 when the world faced the beginning of the war between Ukraine and Europe.
Currently, a liter of super gasoline sells for ¢633 colones, so with the increase, it will reach ¢718 colones, while the current price of regular gasoline is ¢607 colones, and with the planned increase, it will be ¢674 colones. Finally, a liter of diesel currently costs ¢530 colones, and with the increase, it will cost ¢666 colones.
“We are strong, but the challenge will be enormous. We have a strengthened economy with negative inflation. We have to reduce the public debt. Imagine if the Middle East crisis had caught us at the end of the Alvarado Quesada administration, when the country was bankrupt. Today, instead of being here, I would be in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels asking our Virgin Mary to have mercy on us,” said President Rodrigo Chaves.
Chaves indicated that significant volatility is expected in the coming weeks.
Ceasefire
United States President Donald Trump said Tuesday night, just hours before the deadline, that he had agreed to “suspend the bombing and attack against Iran for a period of two weeks,” on the condition that Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
The ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, is intended to pause a month-long war and facilitate long-term peace negotiations.
Meanwhile, Iran announced that it will allow the safe passage of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks, provided that vessels coordinate with the Iranian armed forces.
This is one of the world’s most important maritime routes for oil transport, so any disruption has direct implications for global energy markets and geopolitical stability.
RICO’s Q — At least six Nicaraguans, whom the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo had banned from returning to Nicaragua after traveling abroad, have received emails from the Ministry of the Interior (MINT) informing them that their entry into the country “is authorized,” the digital publication Confidencial confirmed.
“Amablemente hacemos de su conocimiento: el ingreso a nuestro país está autorizado. Favor acusar recibo”, escribió el MINT en los correos, en los cuales firma “Ministerio del Interior República de Nicaragua”. (We kindly inform you: entry into our country is authorized. Please acknowledge receipt,” the MINT wrote in the emails, which are signed “Ministry of the Interior, Republic of Nicaragua.)
Some of the citizens, who were effectively exiled, also received a form that the dictatorship requires foreigners entering or leaving Nicaragua to complete. The form requires them to provide personal information, nationality, details of their entry into the country, and whether they were invited by the government, a company, an embassy, or a friend.
The newspaper La Prensa also reported on the notifications from the Ministry of the Interior. According to their publication, some notices are also received via phone calls or WhatsApp messages.
Selective authorizations or a reversal?
With this decision, the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship would reverse its selective ban on Nicaraguans entering their own country, a policy it has implemented more regularly since mid-2023 and intensified in 2025.
However, authorities have not made any public announcement, and it is unknown whether the restoration of the right to enter the country is complete or if it will be applied in a discriminatory manner.
Several people consulted whom the dictatorship has banned from returning, said they had not been notified of any change in their situation.
In November 2025, the Minister of the Interior, María Amelia Coronel, justified the entry bans, saying:
“We do this, above all, because we have the legal authority to do so and, especially, to protect national sovereignty and our citizen security, which is the most important thing for the Ministry of the Interior and for all of Nicaragua.”
More than 300 Nicaraguans Barred from Nicaragua
The Grupo de Expertos en Derechos Humanos sobre Nicaragua (GRHEN)—Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua—revealed in February 2025 that the regime has denied entry to some 318 Nicaraguans between June 2018 and August 2025.
Among the Nicaraguans effectively exiled are journalists, human rights defenders, activists, relatives of opposition members, and former political prisoners, among other citizens.
Several national and international YouTubers have also publicly denounced being denied entry to Nicaragua.
One of those denied entry to Nicaragua is this writer. I am a naturalized Costa Rican. At the time, in February 2022, traveling on a Costa Rica passport.
The entry bans increased after the mass expulsion of 222 former political prisoners to the United States in February 2023 and, according to GRHEN, are part of a “broader pattern of serious and systematic violations of the right to freedom of movement and to freely choose one’s residence.”
“We are going after organized crime, terrorism, and any action by any person that threatens our peace and security, which we have worked so hard to achieve,” the Minister of the Interior stated in an interview with the pro-government channel TN8.
This is how entry bans to Nicaragua work
The GRHEN explained that the banning process begins when airlines or bus companies send passenger lists* to the General Directorate of Immigration.
Immigration authorities use these lists to compare the names with another updated list they receive periodically from the Ministry of the Interior. These lists indicate who is “on alert,” prohibiting their departure from, entry into, or re-entry into Nicaragua.
At Immigration, officials supplement the information with searches on the internet and social media about the individuals listed. With this review, any data, social media post, or link considered “suspicious” is enough to create a file on the person attempting to travel and deem them ineligible to leave or enter the country.
Finally, citizens receive an email from the airline or transportation company, usually 24 hours before their return trip to Nicaragua, informing them that they have been denied entry. Several of those attempting to leave also have their passports confiscated.
In my case, I was planning to drive across the border. I had left my car on the Costa Rican side, with a confirmed reservation for a vehicle on the Nicaraguan side. When the immigration officers scanned my passport, the computer let out a series of beeps. After a long ninety minutes and indirect questions about my connection to QCostarica.com, they kindly informed me that I wouldn’t be allowed in today and escorted me back to the Costa Rican border.
My wife, who was born in Nicaragua and later became a Costa Rican citizen, has made several trips to visit her family. Each time she flies out of San Jose, the airline holds onto her Nicaraguan passport—just like everyone else on the flight—and hands it back once they land in Nicaragua.
Political operatives decide who enters and who doesn’t
GRHEN revealed that there is a chain of command for those who decide on denials of entry to the country, headed by the Deputy Directorate General of Police Investigation and Intelligence, the Army’s Directorate of Defense Information, and operatives of the Sandinista Front.
These officials and operatives investigate citizens and send the information to the Ministry of the Interior (MINT) for authorization or denial of entry.
Then, there is a written or oral notification of the prohibition of entry into the country issued by the Ministry of the Interior to means of transport or border crossings in Nicaragua.
There is also underreporting of de facto displacements, because many choose not to report them for fear of reprisals.
The Group denounces that “the lack of official documentation prevents regularization or relocation procedures in other countries.”
Changes after tensions with the United States
In recent months, the Ortega-Murillo regime has softened its repressive stance following actions by the United States government against its allies in Venezuela and Cuba.
This began with the release of some political prisoners after the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, and the rejection of accusations of drug seizures originating in Nicaragua. Even the propaganda media have begun interviewing alleged drug traffickers detained after attempting to cross into the country.
The regime also allowed some Catholic churches to celebrate Semana Santa (Holy Week) activities and sent its propaganda outlets to cover them, in an attempt to deny religious persecution, while prohibitions and police surveillance remain in place in most parishes.
“We call on those who have spread falsehoods about our religious experiences to refute what is clearly a politically motivated disinformation campaign that fuels hatred and has nothing to do with religion or faith,” the “Co-Presidency” said in a statement, accusing the accusers of being “spokespeople for the U.S. government.”
Since 2019, after imprisoning dozens of priests, more than 200 religious figures, including four bishops from the Episcopal Conference, have been banished and remain in exile, while the regime has illegally confiscated 39 properties belonging to the Catholic Church and religious orders, as detailed by CONFIDENCIAL in an investigation published at the end of 2025.
Q COSTARICA — The National Financial System (Sistema Financiero Nacional) has maintained adequate levels of solvency and liquidity in recent years, but faces areas of risk in consumer lending, according to the Central Bank’s 2025 Annual Financial Stability Report.
This positive performance has been maintained despite complex events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in interest rates in 2022, the resolution processes of financial institutions in 2024, and an international environment marked by geopolitical and trade tensions.
The Central Bank highlighted that the financial system is healthy following the crises of Coopeservidores and Desyfin, which culminated in the closure of these two financial institutions due to insolvency.
Stress tests applied under a macroprudential approach show that the system has sufficient tools to withstand adverse scenarios for up to 12 months, reinforcing the perception of overall stability.
The report aims to provide stakeholders and the public with a comprehensive overview of the sector’s recent performance, incorporating both internal and external factors.
The report places special emphasis on the behavior of the Regulated Financial Intermediation System ( Sistema de Intermediación Financiera Regulado) and, in particular, the National Banking System (Sistema Bancario Nacional), considered key axes for evaluating the stability and performance of the financial sector in the country.
Regarding loans to the private sector, it was observed that during 2025 there was a moderation in its rate of expansion, especially from the second quarter onward. However, its growth in real terms exceeded that of the gross domestic product and maintained a significant dynamic within economic activity.
When loans are broken down by currency, a slowdown is evident in both colones and dollars.
As summer temperatures rise, households across the country are facing soaring utility bills. The cost of electricity, in particular, has reached record highs in many regions, prompting homeowners and renters alike to look for ways to keep their homes cool without significantly increasing expenses. Experts are pointing to two often-overlooked strategies: proper insulation and effective ventilation.
Energy costs have been climbing steadily over the past several years, but this summer is shaping up to be particularly challenging. The combination of higher temperatures and more expensive energy has left households searching for alternative cooling strategies.
Insulation is often associated with winter heating costs, but it plays an equally important role during the summer. By reducing the amount of heat that enters a home, insulation decreases the workload on air conditioning systems, ultimately lowering energy consumption. “Many people think of insulation as a winter measure,” said Dr. Michael Grant, an energy efficiency consultant. “In reality, a well-insulated home stays cooler in summer as well as warmer in winter.”
The most common types of insulation are fiberglass batts, spray foam, and cellulose. Each has its own cost and installation considerations. Fiberglass batts, for instance, are inexpensive and relatively easy for homeowners to install themselves, though gaps and compression can reduce their effectiveness. Spray foam insulation offers a higher R-value per inch and can seal small cracks and gaps, but it is more expensive and usually requires professional installation. Cellulose, made from recycled paper, can be blown into walls and attics and provides both thermal resistance and some soundproofing.
In addition to insulation, ventilation is a critical factor in managing indoor temperatures. Proper airflow can remove hot air and reduce the perceived temperature inside a home. Common strategies include ceiling fans, attic vents, and whole-house fans. Ceiling fans, when used correctly, can make a room feel several degrees cooler without actually lowering the temperature, allowing residents to raise the thermostat slightly and save on air conditioning costs.
Attic ventilation is another key element. Without adequate vents, heat can accumulate in the attic, raising indoor temperatures and forcing air conditioners to work harder. Ridge vents, soffit vents, and gable vents are commonly used to create a continuous airflow, moving hot air out of the attic while drawing cooler air in. Homeowners can improve attic ventilation at a relatively low cost, often for less than the monthly increase in electricity bills caused by poor airflow.
Whole-house fans, which pull air through open windows and exhaust it through the attic, offer another option. Another fantastic option is large ceiling fans which unlike air conditioning, these fans use significantly less electricity and can be particularly effective during cooler evenings and nights. Installing a whole-house fan is generally more affordable than upgrading an entire air conditioning system, and many models can be retrofitted into existing homes.
Experts emphasize that combining insulation and ventilation can provide the most significant benefits. “Insulation keeps the heat out, and ventilation removes the heat that does get in,” said Grant. “Together, they create a more stable indoor environment and reduce energy consumption.” This approach also has long-term benefits. While energy prices fluctuate, the savings from reduced electricity use persist year after year, making the investment in insulation and ventilation cost-effective over time.
Homeowners looking to improve energy efficiency should start with a professional energy audit. These audits can identify areas where insulation is lacking, where air leaks are present, and where ventilation can be improved. Many utility companies offer free or discounted energy audits, along with rebates for insulation upgrades and ventilation improvements. The upfront cost can be offset by these programs and by the reduction in monthly energy bills.
Renters also have options, though they are more limited. Simple steps like using portable fans, keeping blinds or curtains closed during peak sunlight hours, and ensuring vents are not blocked can make a noticeable difference. In some cases, landlords may agree to upgrade insulation or add ventilation if it reduces utility costs and increases the property’s appeal.
As energy prices remain unpredictable, the need for low-cost cooling strategies is likely to grow. Insulation and ventilation provide a reliable, relatively affordable solution that does not rely on technology or complex systems. For many households, these measures can significantly reduce reliance on air conditioning, offering both financial relief and a more comfortable living environment.
For now, experts recommend starting with the basics: check insulation levels, seal gaps around doors and windows, and ensure that airflow is not blocked. Even small improvements can make a difference. In the face of rising utility bills, these strategies offer a practical way to cope with summer heat without adding to financial strain.
Q COSTARICA — On April 7, 2022, a Boeing 757-200 cargo plane operated by DHL Aero Expresso took off from Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela, headed for Guatemala City. The aircraft, registered in Panama as HP-2010DAE and crewed by two Guatemalan pilots, soon encountered a hydraulic system failure combined with an unintended lever movement.
About an hour after departure, the pilots notified the Control Tower of the hydraulic issue and requested permission to return to El Coco Airport, the former and historical name for the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).
The accident happened just south of runway 25, according to the final report (CR-ACC-CO-002-2022) released on September 22, 2023, by the Civil Aviation Technical Council’s Accidents and Incidents Unit (CETAC).
At around 10:30 a.m., roughly an hour after takeoff at 9:34 a.m., the plane attempted to land on Runway 07 but veered off. While braking, the pilots lost control, causing the aircraft to skid, spin 180 degrees, and crash into a ditch near the airport’s fire station. The fuselage broke in two at the tail section.
The 22-year-old plane was deemed a total loss. The airport shut down for several hours, disrupting about 30 commercial and cargo flights. Many incoming flights were diverted to Guanacaste Airport (LIR) in Liberia.
The report detailed that the left engine’s thrust was increased at a time when standard operating procedures did not call for it. This inadvertent movement of the left power lever contributed to the runway excursion. Investigators found the thrust levers in the retracted position when they arrived, consistent with the actions taken before completing the “Shutdown Procedure” checklist.
The hydraulic failure was traced back to excessive pressure causing multiple fractures in the wire strands of a flexible hydraulic hose linked to the left main landing gear’s down-lock actuator. These fractures showed signs of fatigue, cracks, and separation.
Blood alcohol tests for both surviving pilots came back negative. The accident also caused damage to nearby slopes and canals, spanning about 605 square meters.
Environmental impacts included nearly 8.32 cubic meters of hydrocarbons leaking into the soil, affecting 800 square meters of green space near taxiway Alpha and the southern access road. Additionally, 7,400 square meters of grassland suffered damage.
The accident was split into two main causes: the hydraulic system failure and a contributing factor related to pilot controls.
The hydraulic issue was caused by fatigue and tension in the individual cables within the flexible hydraulic hose for the left main landing gear’s down-lock actuator. Meanwhile, data from the Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder revealed that the accident was influenced by an unintentional, simultaneous movement of the right reverse thrust lever and the left engine control thrust lever. These moves were not part of the standard “Landing Roll Procedure” or “After Landing Procedure” checklists.
Though the power levers were moved during a phase when the aircraft was supposed to be decelerating, the investigation ruled out human error as a cause.
After the crash, the airport preserved the plane’s fuselage remains next to the first fire station on the south side of the airport, using it as a training tool for firefighters.
Q COSTARICA — Fuel and food prices are expected to rise in Costa Rica in the coming weeks due to the war in the Middle East.
On Tuesday, the price of a barrel of WTI crude, the benchmark for the national economy, reached US$112, compared to US$67 in mid-March.
The Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (Recope) — Costa Rica’s oil refinery that refines nothing — warns that the price adjustment will depend on the regulatory authority of public services (Aresep), while the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is putting pressure on the global market.
Furthermore, increases in freight and fertilizer costs could impact food prices in the coming months.
Recope said on Tuesday that it will explain the situation in the coming days, along with several measures to mitigate the impact.
Other effects
Reduced economic growth, more expensive imported goods, and an increase in the dollar exchange rate are among the potential consequences.
In addition, the Costa Rican government would face higher interest rates to pay its foreign debt, and therefore, the Banco Central (Central Bank) is expected to be more cautious with the Tasa de Política Monetaria (Monetary Policy Rate).
Beyond the geopolitical tensions, Costa Rica will be indirectly drawn into the armed conflict.
According to Recope, the conflict in the Middle East would cause “a moderate, almost immediate increase in regular gasoline, diesel, and natural gas; while premium gasoline would decrease slightly.”
Q COSTARICA — Road safety in Costa Rica faces structural challenges. This is evidenced by the Estudio de Movilidad Segura 2025 (Safe Mobility Study 2025), an analysis that provides a snapshot of road accidents in the country between 2012 and 2024 and puts the magnitude of the problem into perspective.
The report, developed by Grupo Purdy in conjunction with the Centro para la Sostenibilidad Urbana (CPSU)—Center for Urban Sustainability, reveals that more than 5,400 people died at the scene of a road accident during that period.
This is compounded by a rate exceeding 15 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, a figure higher than the regional average.
One of the most relevant findings of the study is the high vulnerability of motorcyclists. 41% of the recorded deaths involved this group or their passengers, highlighting the need to strengthen prevention, training, and enforcement on the roads.
“At Grupo Purdy, a leading provider of comprehensive mobility solutions, we believe that the figures for accidents, fatalities, and congestion reflect the challenges of mobility in Costa Rica. Part of the solution lies in training more prepared drivers and promoting a culture of safe and responsible driving. That’s why we want to professionalize driving with the opening of the Driving Academy,” said Alejandro Rubinstein, CEO of Grupo Purdy.
The analysis also examines traffic conditions in the country.
During peak hours, approximately 50% of the road network is saturated, which intensifies congestion and increases the risk of incidents due to greater driver exposure and longer travel times.
Beyond the human impact, road accidents represent a significant economic cost.
Various studies estimate that losses associated with traffic accidents can exceed 4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), considering healthcare expenses, property damage, lost productivity, and emergency care.
Key Findings of the Study:
Road Congestion: 50% of the national road network is congested during peak hours.
Travel Times: Drivers can take up to 4.2 minutes to travel just 100 meters on the highway at the most congested points. On average, in critical areas, the travel time is 3.2 minutes per 100 meters.
Increase in Accidents: Traffic accidents have quadrupled in the country over a period of four years.
Victim Profile: 69% of road fatalities are vulnerable road users, primarily pedestrians and cyclists.
Given this situation, the report highlights the importance of promoting coordinated actions to improve safe mobility. Recommendations include:
Strengthening road infrastructure: A change in infrastructure is urgently needed, focused on managing vehicular demand instead of just expanding roads.
Increased enforcement of risky behaviors: Grupo Purdy has committed to addressing critical accident hotspots in partnership with local governments, such as the work done with the Municipality of Curridabat.
Promoting a culture of respect on the road: Innovation programs in educational centers to propose mobility solutions from an early age.
“This study gives us a clearer picture of what is happening on our roads. It’s not just about numbers, but about lives lost and a problem that requires the participation of all sectors of the country to move toward safer mobility,” said Arturo Steinvorth, coordinator of the Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Area at CPSU.
In this context, the private sector is beginning to take a more active role.
Grupo Purdy announced the launch of a state-of-the-art Driving Academy, through the free online platform Aprendo a Manejar (Learn to Drive), developed in partnership with FIFCO to prepare drivers for the written driving test. Aimed specifically at corporate fleets and heavy vehicle drivers, they have also launched a specialized academy with simulators and real-world practice. with the goal of professionalizing driving and reducing risks on the road.
In an environment where road safety impacts both people and productivity, the participation of the business sector is positioned as a key ally in driving sustainable change in the country.
Q COSTARICA — A 29-year-old Nicaraguan woman, identified as a TikTok content creator, was reported missing in Costa Rica after her family lost contact with her in late March.
Junieysis Adely Merlo Espinoza (known online as “Juni Merlo”) was last seen on Tuesday, March 31, in the Salitral sector of Santa Ana, specifically at the Los Pericos condominium, according to the Organismo de Investigacion Judicial (OIJ).
The formal report of her disappearance was filed on April 2, two days after her last known whereabouts, when her relatives became worried after not hearing from her.
According to information released by the OIJ, the case remains under investigation, and the corresponding protocol for the search for missing persons has been activated. Authorities are requesting the public’s assistance in providing any information that could help locate the young woman.
Junieysis was originally from San Juan de Río Coco, in the department of Madriz, Nicaragua, but had lived in Costa Rica for several years. She had become known as a content creator on social media, especially TikTok, where she had amassed over 8,000 followers.
Her posts focused on comedy videos, everyday situations, and family moments, particularly with her four-year-old twin daughters, who frequently appeared in her online content.
Her sudden disappearance has caused alarm among her followers and acquaintances, as she was very active on social media, making her lack of communication all the more unusual.
Last Contact and Conflicting Accounts
The young woman’s father, Máximo Merlo, 61, recounted that the last time he had contact with his daughter was on Monday, March 30, the day before her disappearance.
He explained that when he tried to contact her again on Tuesday, the 31st, he received information from the young woman’s ex-partner, who told Juni’s father that she had gone to the beach with a group of TikTokers.
“On Tuesday I called again, and they told me not to worry, that my daughter would return on Wednesday,” said the father, who also stated that he did not know the people with whom his daughter had supposedly traveled.
However, as the days passed without any news, alarmed, the family finally decided to file a missing person report with the OIJ.
Social Media Posts
Amid the uncertainty, people close to the young woman have used social media to ask for help and share information about the case. Some acquaintances have publicly pointed to a Costa Rican man, identified by the initials G.C.R., as someone who might have relevant information about Juni’s whereabouts.
“Please turn her in or give all the information to the police; her whole family is very worried. She has two daughters. Give the correct version of events,” a close friend wrote on Facebook, in a message that quickly began circulating among users.
To date, authorities have not officially confirmed anyone’s involvement in the events, so the case remains under investigation.
Call to the Public
The OIJ reiterated its call to the public to collaborate by providing any information that could be useful in locating the young woman.
For this purpose, the confidential hotlines 800-800-0645 and WhatsApp 8800-0645 have been set up, where information can be provided anonymously.
Meanwhile, the young woman’s family continues to wait for answers, appealing to the solidarity of the population and the authorities to find her alive.
Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica has launched a joint investigation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to clarify the circumstances behind the seizure of 1,312 kilograms of cocaine in Nicaragua, announced days ago by the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.
The case comes amid official Costa Rican skepticism and was described by Public Security Minister Mario Zamora as “outside the normal parameters” of anti-drug operations in the region, according to a report on the regional news portal Centroamérica360.
As Zamora explained, the investigation seeks to determine how a shipment of such magnitude managed to cross the Peñas Blancas border crossing without being detected by Costa Rican controls.
Zamora added that the situation is “unusual and out of the ordinary.” The investigation, supported by the DEA, focuses on reconstructing the drug route and determining whether there were irregularities in the border protocols implemented by the authorities of Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
The complexity of the case is compounded by the fact that, according to local reports, the seizure led to the arrest of a Guatemalan citizen who allegedly gave unusually calm statements after his arrest.
This has raised suspicions in Costa Rica, especially given the apparent lack of a prior investigation by Nicaraguan authorities, a factor that does not correspond to the historical patterns of drug trafficking operations in the Central American region.
Costa Rica Distrusts Nicaragua’s Official Version and Reinforces Investigation
Costa Rican authorities have avoided issuing preliminary conclusions, emphasizing that they will only comment after all ongoing procedures are completed, according to the publication Centroamérica360.
Zamora emphasized that the government’s priority is to verify the accuracy of the information provided by Nicaraguan authorities; therefore, he personally went to the border to examine the procedures and gather information about the transit of the container involved.
The seizure was announced in an area considered a “key corridor for drug trafficking to North America,” highlighting the importance of international cooperation and coordination among the countries involved.
In this context, the joint investigation with the DEA seeks not only to identify potential failures in controls but also to clarify whether the case stems from still unknown circumstances or political motivations from the Ortega-Murillo regime.
The gravity of the situation lies in the volume seized—more than a ton of cocaine—and the apparent ease with which the illegal transit occurred, the main reason for the concern expressed by the Costa Rican government regarding the discrepancy with typical drug seizure patterns in Central America.
The Seizure and Nicaragua’s Version
On March 30, Nicaraguan authorities reported the seizure of 1,312 kilograms of cocaine on Sunday, March 29, at 6:00 p.m. at the Peñas Blancas border crossing with Costa Rica. The operation resulted in the arrest of Guatemalan citizen Juan José Ríos Trujillo, according to a statement released by the National Police.
The seizure, according to the police version, occurred when the drugs were found in 1,057 packages hidden in kraft paper rolls inside a heavy cargo truck that entered Nicaragua from Costa Rica and was destined for Guatemala. Field tests confirmed the presence of cocaine, according to the same source.
The detainee told authorities that he had been hired by Henry Sáenz García to transport tools from Mexico to Costa Rica, receiving US$1,800 for the operation. He also indicated that, after making the delivery in San José, Costa Rica, on March 26, he picked up 20 rolls of kraft paper from a warehouse in Calle Blancos, destined for Santa Lucía Milpas Altas, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. The rolls were consigned to a warehouse belonging to a person identified only as “Luis,” according to reports.
According to statements collected by Nicaragua’s National Police, part of the route included a border scan in Costa Rica on March 28, which did not detect any irregularities in the shipment. Both the truck, the suspect, and the drugs were turned over to the courts in Nicaragua, the agency stated.
Nicaragua’s National Police announced that the investigation remains active to determine the possible involvement of others in the international drug trafficking case.
Nicaragua, located within one of the main drug trafficking corridors produced in South America and directed to North America, announced it is implementing its “Muro de Contención” (Containment Wall) strategy, which seeks to curb the transit of narcotics and illicit money, with the cooperation of the United States, Mexico, Russia, and neighboring countries in the region.
Article translated and adapted from Infobae.com. Read the original in Spanish here.
Q24N (Reuters) Cuban activists paraded on Thursday on bikes and electric tricycles along Havana’s waterfront Malecon boulevard, accompanied by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, in a show of defiance amid U.S. efforts to starve the island of fuel.
Participants in the government-organized caravan rode past the U.S. Embassy in the Cuban capital, their electric and pedal-powered vehicles displaying flags and banners attacking the sanctions imposed on the country by President Donald Trump’s administration.
The rally came a day after Cuba’s top diplomat in Washington publicly invited the U.S. government to help overhaul Cuba’s crippled economy as part of ongoing negotiations that have yet to yield results.
Participants in the rally said they favored talks with the United States but demanded respect for Cuba.
“I believe that genuine dialogue between both governments is possible, but international law and our country’s autonomy must be respected,” said Sheila Ibatao, a Havana law student and participant.
Diaz-Canel did not speak during the event.
The Cuban government often organizes large rallies at the U.S. Embassy. This caravan was smaller and more discreet, hampered by fuel shortages that have crippled mobility and hobbled public transportation.
A Russian-flagged tankership arrived in Cuba this week and off-loaded 700,000 barrels of crude oil, promising some relief in the coming weeks.
The Trump administration, which has threatened to slap tariffs on countries that export oil to Cuba and explicitly prohibited imports of Russian oil, said it allowed the Russian-flagged tanker to dock in Cuba’s Matanzas port for humanitarian reasons.
Reporting by Ayose Naranjo; Editing by Dave Sherwood and Will Dunham. Read the original at Reuters.com
Q COSTARICA — In the first months of the year, homicides have decreased by over 20%, according to figures from the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ).
The work of the police at all levels and joint operations with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are yielding results, according to security chief Mario Zamora.
As of Wednesday, April 1, the country reported 177 murders, while 233 were recorded during the same period last year.
The minister attributed this decrease to a strengthened police presence and intensified coordinated actions against organized crime, especially drug trafficking.
“The security forces are working at the maximum of their operational capacity. We have tripled police patrols by air, sea, and land. This year, we broke the record for arrests with almost 215,000 arrests made by the security forces,” the minister stated.
Zamora emphasized that international cooperation has been key to the results achieved.
“All this great work by the police and the Policía de Control de Droga (PCD)—Drug Control Police, which has also seen a 300% increase in joint operations with the DEA and the FBI, has resulted in a significant reduction in homicides in our country,” he stated.
The ultimate goal
Despite the progress, Zamora acknowledged that the indicators are still far from ideal.
“We have achieved very significant numbers, but they are not yet satisfactory. We still have a lot to do to pull Costa Rica out of the homicide pandemic and achieve fewer than 10 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants,” he warned.
Currently, the country has a rate of 16 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, a figure that, although high, shows signs of improvement.
“The reduction of more than 50 homicides in these first months of the year indicates that we are on the right track,” Zamora concluded.
Q24N — The temporary closure of Panama’s Bridge of the Americas following the fire in La Boca is not only a safety measure, but also an event with potential economic and social impacts nationwide, urban planner Rodrigo Guardia told La Estrella de Panamá.
According to the specialist, the magnitude of the problem lies in the strategic role this infrastructure plays within the country’s transportation system. Guardia emphasizes that it is the most frequently used route for Panamanians to reach the capital city, with thousands of people crossing it every hour to work, study, or access services in the capital.
Therefore, its closure affects not only Panama Oeste, but also the entire network of provinces that depend on this connection for their daily economic activity.
The urban planner explained that, although the Centennial Bridge can serve as an alternate route, its capacity is limited compared to the volume of traffic normally handled by the Bridge of the Americas.
In fact, he warned that the latter handles approximately twice as many vehicles, which anticipates longer travel times, increased transportation costs, and additional strain on the existing road network.
The fire started at 4:12 p.m. on Monday, April 6. Image from Panama Fire Department
The bridge’s closing was due to a large fire that broke out Monday afternoon in the La Boca area, near the Bridge of the Americas, where a tanker truck caught fire and the flames spread to a second similar vehicle.
The Panama Fire Department reported that at approximately 4:12 p.m., a fire was reported at the fuel depot located in the La Boca area of Balboa. The Director General of the Panama Fire Department (BCBRP), Víctor Raúl Álvarez, explained that the fire occurred near the Panama Oil Terminals S.A. (POTSA) company.
Álvarez stated that to extinguish the fire, they received support from the Panama Canal Authority, the Institutional Protection Service (SPI), and units from the Emergency Medical Service (SUME) and the Social Security Fund. A total of 75 personnel worked at the scene, 45 of whom were firefighters.
Álvarez reported that two firefighters suffered minor burns during the fire, and one person died after being trapped among the tanker trucks.
Q COSTARICA — In the final stretch of his term, President Rodrigo Chaves offered strong support to President-elect Laura Fernández, whom he hailed as a historic figure for the country, while calling on citizens to support her in what he described as a “struggle” that is not yet over.
“She will be, God willing, the best president in Costa Rican history after Juanito Mora. Because God willing, we will not face a challenge like the one the generation of 1856 had to confront,” Chaves stated, referring to Juan Rafael Mora Porras, a key figure in national history for his leadership during the National Campaign.
Chaves also adopted a combative tone to warn of what he considers internal threats, noting that “the filibusters today no longer come from abroad; they are locals, and you know them,” alluding to current political and social conflicts.
In that context, he made a direct appeal to the public: “Don’t abandon doña Laura in this fight! Because this is not over!”
The statements come as the government enters its final phase.
With the return to normalcy after Semana Santa, the Chaves administration begins its countdown, with barely a month remaining before the transfer of power on May 8.
In this final stretch of his term, the president has intensified his tours throughout the country. Before Semana Santa, he visited Guanacaste, and on Monday, he toured Cartago.
The president concludes his administration with significant levels of support. According to the March 2026 ranking by the consulting firm CB Global Data, Chaves ranks fifth among the world’s most highly regarded leaders, with a 56.8% approval rating.
Q COSTARICA — The president of the Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) — Costa Rica’s Central Bank, Róger Madrigal, warned that the country could face an “inflationary shock” in the coming months stemming from the growing geopolitical tension between the United States, Iran, and Israel.
According to Madrigal, although the effects are not yet being felt directly in consumers’ wallets, they are inevitable in the short term.
“We will have news very soon. We haven’t felt it in our wallets yet, but there will be an adjustment in the prices of a large number of goods and services, which will accelerate inflation. We will very likely enter the tolerance range sooner than expected,” he stated.
Madrigal added that, while the country has certain macroeconomic conditions to mitigate the impact, these would not be sufficient to completely contain the phenomenon.
“In Costa Rica, we have the conditions to accommodate, I don’t know if all, but part of the inflationary shock that is coming,” he indicated.
This statement comes in an international context marked by uncertainty. The armed conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran not only threatens to drag on, but is already having repercussions on global markets. Among the main effects are increased maritime transport costs, higher prices for imported goods, and a rise in the price of petroleum products, especially fuels.
Added to this is the trade policy pursued by US President Donald Trump, who has insisted on imposing tariffs on foreign products, which puts further pressure on international prices.
In this scenario, analysts agree that Costa Rica, as an open economy dependent on imports, could be more severely affected by the increased cost of key inputs, passing these costs on to the end consumer.
Monetary authorities, for their part, will have to evaluate possible adjustments to economic policy to contain inflation and prevent a decline in household purchasing power, amidst an increasingly volatile global environment.
Q COSTARICA — With sustained growth driven primarily by reinvestments, Costa Rica, a leading global hub for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), once again surpassed US$5 billion in FDI, reaching US$5.1218 billion at the close of 2025, according to figures from the Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) —Costa Rica’s Central Bank.
This result marks the second consecutive year above that threshold, after 2024 was also revised upward to US$5.1135 billion.
This performance occurred within a complex international environment, characterized by changes in the global investment dynamics.
One of the most significant elements of the period was the growth in reinvestments, which increased by 26% to $4.328 billion, becoming the main component of FDI.
This trend reflects the continuity of operations and the confidence of companies already established in the country.
In contrast, new capital reached US$895 million, a decrease of 18%, in line with the global decline in greenfield investment projects.
By sector, manufacturing led the flows with US$3.8973 billion, driven by reinvestments in the medical device industry.
The medical devices sector now accounts for 42% of the country’s total goods exports. As of April 2026, the sector continues to drive record-breaking FDI, largely fueled by reinvestments from established MedTech giants
Increases were also recorded in agriculture, the financial system, and real estate, while sectors such as commerce, tourism, services, and agribusiness showed declines.
The Free Trade Zone Regime accounted for 66.4% of total investment, followed by the Permanent Regime, tourism, the real estate sector, and the financial system.
Also noteworthy is the growth in investment outside the Greater Metropolitan Area (Gran Area Metropolitana – GAM), especially in free trade zones, where it increased by 24.3%.
Regarding the origin of capital, the United States continues to lead with 54.8%, followed by Switzerland, Mexico, and Colombia.
Between 2023 and 2025, the country attracted 175 new companies and more than 500 reinvestments.
In just 13 recent projects, investments exceeding US$833 million and the generation of more than 12,000 jobs are projected, reinforcing the trend of growth and territorial expansion of foreign investment in Costa Rica.
Q TECH — Walk up to any new car, and under all that smooth exterior, there’s a complex web of sensors doing their thing. They keep an eye on everything—from tire pressure to spotting pedestrians—and these little electronic helpers are a big part of how cars today handle the road, keep you safe, and even make decisions.
So, why do modern cars pack in so many sensors? And what happens if one of them quits working?
Q COSTARICA — Since the capture of Julio Alberto Gómez Pérez, alias “Gordo Julio,” on March 25, only two homicides have been recorded in the entire province of Cartago.
This figure contrasts sharply with the 23 murders recorded before his arrest and confirms the impact this figure had on the wave of drug-related violence that shook the province in early 2025.
Cartago was the epicenter of a struggle for territorial control of strategic drug trafficking points between criminal gangs, as confirmed by Michael Soto, acting director of the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), in an interview with CR Hoy.
During those weeks of violence, the mayor of Cartago, Mario Redondo, received death threats, and false bomb threats were also made against the city hall and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels.
Police Territorial Control
Erick Calderón, head of the Fuerza Publica (National Police) in Cartago, said that another factor contributing to the reduction of violence in the province is the joint operations between the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), the Prosecutor’s Office, the Drug Control Police (PCD), and the Municipal Police.
He indicated that, although the year began with a significant number of homicides, they managed to reduce the incidence starting in March. This is due to the identification of the main leaders of the criminal organizations in the area, their methods of operation, their mobility, and the recapture of spaces such as drug dens.
In addition to the capture of “Gordo Julio,” Calderón highlighted an operation at the end of January in which part of the “Los Maruja” gang was dismantled, resulting in more than 20 arrests. He emphasized the work done on the streets, such as the seizure of bladed weapons, non-lethal weapons, and firearms.
The Fuerza Publica also increased seizures of marijuana and crack cocaine compared to the same period last year. In total, 2,500 doses of marijuana and 2,056 doses of crack cocaine have been seized.
The officer indicated that they will continue with operations and monitoring of police actions in the province. He also explained that the arrest of leaders like “Gordo Julio” has a significant impact on criminal structures, as it creates instability and forces others to assume those roles, generally making mistakes that expose them.
“Gordo Julio’s” Dispute
“Gordo Julio” entered the dispute for control of drug-selling territories in neighborhoods of the central canton of Cartago, as well as in Oreamuno and El Guarco. In recent months, he gained prominence after consolidating operations in the Manuel de Jesús Jiménez project in San Francisco, from where he sought to expand into territories dominated by “Los Maruja.”
That offensive, launched in the middle of last year, ignited part of the drug war affecting Cartago. Meanwhile, the Sánchez brothers, leaders of “Los Maruja,” maintain extensive control over several territories in the province, leading to constant reprisals between rival groups.
“Gordo Julio’s” headquarters, near downtown Cartago, has been the target of several armed attacks. “Los Chacales” and “Los Gery” are also involved in the conflict. Both groups maintained alliances with “Gordo Julio” to try to weaken “Los Maruja,” who control areas such as Los Diques, Paraíso, and El Guarco.
Q COSTARICA — In the interscholastic competition “Antorcha” on Channel 13, a question was asked about the size of Costa Rica’s territorial sea, specifically regarding Cocos Island.
If we analyze this image, due to Cocos Island’s distance from the mainland, the entire ocean falls under Costa Rican jurisdiction.
Adding the 51,100 km² of mainland to the 589,682 km² of territorial sea, the grand total is 640,782 km², where the ocean and/or sea comprise 92% of our territory.
This makes it the largest country in Central America.
Credit: Museo Virtual de la Escuela Normal y del Liceo de Heredia. (Virtual Museum of the Normal School and the Heredia High School)
Q COSTARICA — Developing a structure with the sea as its central feature, on an iconic island steeped in history and also the country’s newest National Park, presents a series of challenges.
However, simply providing the island known as “la isla de los hombres solos” (the island of lonely men) with a new, modern, world-class tourist pier justifies all the efforts.
During an inspection visit to the Isla San Lucas, located in the Gulf of Nicoya, and declated Costa Rica’s thirtieth national park in August 2020, on Friday, March 27, by Tourism Minister William Rodríguez, project managers confirmed that the project is 26% complete, both in the structural work on the coast and in the impressive pilings, several meters high, driven into the sea.
The final handover and inauguration of the pier are estimated to take place between July and August of this year.
The total investment for the project exceeds 985 million colones, entirely funded by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).
“Tourism continues to advance, and the new tourist dock on San Lucas in Puntarenas is a priority project to consolidate first-rate infrastructure and safety conditions at this site of high historical and natural value. With approximately 490 meters of construction, the design has been conceived to integrate with the environment and respect existing heritage structures, replacing a now deteriorated infrastructure,” explained Minister Rodríguez.
A Challenging and Necessary Construction
This modern dock will have the capacity to receive up to four vessels simultaneously and will incorporate accessibility criteria in accordance with Law 7600.
The project is the result of coordination between the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), the Board of Directors of San Lucas Island National Park, and the Heritage Office of the Ministry of Culture and Youth.
For Karl Kuhlmann, engineer and technical director of the project, “among the main challenges are working within a National Park, an unprecedented undertaking for any construction company, as well as building at sea while respecting biodiversity.”
He also highlighted the logistical complexity due to weather and tidal conditions, in addition to the construction of floating docks. “We are pleased to know that this pier will be of great benefit to tourists and the community,” he concluded.
The project will contribute to the protection of biodiversity and provide better working conditions for guides and park rangers, promoting sustainable tourism. It will also create a network of services for tour operators from Puntarenas and neighboring areas, along with an increase in cruise ship visits.
San Lucas, an alternative for Semana Santa
It is worth mentioning that San Lucas continues to operate normally and is an attractive alternative for domestic tourists during Semana Santa
“While San Lucas is known for its former prison, it is much more than that. We have 15 kilometers of trails on the island, one of the last remaining tropical dry forests in Mesoamerica, and archaeological sites,” described Elvis Barrantes, a park ranger on the island.
In addition, tourists can enjoy sightings of species such as white-tailed deer, anteaters, and howler monkeys, as well as numerous resident and migratory bird species.
San Lucas is a heritage and historical treasure. For many years, it housed a prison that even inspired the book La Isla de los Hombres Solos” by José León Sánchez.
The park will be open to tourists and visitors throughout Semana Santa, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Guided boat tours are usually organized from the city of Puntarenas.
Q COSTARICA — Employees required to work during Semana Santa or on April 11 th, the Día de Juan Santamaría holiday, must receive additional compensation in accordance with Costa Rican law.
The Código de Trabajo (Labor Code) establishes that Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and April 11 are mandatory paid holidays.
For those who receive monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly salaries in commercial activities, pay for these holidays is already included in their regular income.
For clarity, if an employee is paid monthly, they receive their regular salary plus an additional single daily rate for each holiday day worked. If paid weekly or by the hour, they receive double the regular rate for hours worked.
However, if they are required to work on these holidays, the law stipulates that they are entitled to double pay for each day actually worked, as part of their labor rights.
When work on these days includes time beyond the regular workday, overtime, the extra hours must be paid at a higher rate: Specifically, the law states that overtime is paid at a 50% increase over the regular rate, which implies higher holiday pay and a special calculation of overtime.
This year, current regulations do not allow for these holidays to be moved to other days; therefore, they must be observed exactly on the dates indicated on the calendar. This reinforces the mandatory nature of holidays and their observance within the legal framework.
Employers are obligated to correctly apply these provisions or face sanctions under the Labor Code.
The next ‘mandatory holiday in Costa Rica is May 1 or Labor Day, with the same rules applied.
Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica assumed a leading role on the regional stage this Wednesday, as its representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Alejandra Solano Cabalceta, began her term as head of the Permanent Council.
Her mandate will extend from April 1 to June 30, 2026, a period in which the country will lead important decision-making bodies within the organization.
The official handover ceremony took place at OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C., specifically in the Hall of Heroines and Heroes of the Americas. In addition to leading the Permanent Council, Costa Rica will simultaneously assume the leadership of the General Commission and the Preparatory Commission, key bodies for shaping the hemispheric agenda.
During her remarks, Ambassador Solano emphasized the country’s intention to strengthen channels of political understanding among the nations of the Americas. She also reiterated the country’s commitment to promoting regional cooperation and fostering actions that generate concrete results for the benefit of the people of the Americas.
Costa Rica’s work agenda will focus on promoting dialogue and understanding among member states, with a particular emphasis on reaching common agreements. This effort also seeks to support the organization of the next OAS General Assembly, scheduled for June 2026 in Panama.
In this new phase, the Vice Presidency of the Permanent Council will be held by the Canadian Ambassador to the OAS, Stuart Savage, who will collaborate with the Costa Rican delegation on the organization’s coordination efforts.
Costa Rica’s diplomatic team to the OAS will consist of Minister-Counselors Andrés Vargas, Beatriz Serrano, and Raquel Vargas, who will support the country’s work in this multilateral forum, focusing on diplomacy and international relations.
The Organization of American States (OAS) is the world’s oldest regional organization, serving as the primary political, juridical, and social forum for the 35 independent states of the Americas. Founded on April 30, 1948, in Bogotá, Colombia.
Q COSTARICA (iNFOBAE) On the night of April 1, 1857, the inhabitants of the Central Valley in Costa Rica observed a rare phenomenon: a chondritic meteorite impacted the city of Heredia, an event that transformed the town into a point of interest for international science.
According to historical reports and the Revista Geológica de América Central (Geological Journal of Central America), the event was recorded by numerous witnesses and left fragments that are now distributed in museums and laboratories in at least nine countries.
The fall of the Heredia meteorite was first documented in the Costa Rican press and in accounts collected years later by the historian Cleto González.
The phenomenon, as described by witnesses, included a very bright fireball that crossed the sky between the provinces of San José and Heredia, followed by detonations that were heard throughout the region.
The recovery of fragments was swift and allowed for their analysis in Europe and North America. According to El País, the specimen was formally cataloged in 1863 under the name of the city where it fell.
Scientific studies determined that the Heredia meteorite belongs to the H5 brecciated chondrite class, a variety of stony meteorites characterized by their high iron content and the presence of olivine, bronzite, and metallic minerals.
Subsequent investigations, cited by The Guardian, established that the material likely originated from asteroid 6 Hebe, located between Mars and Jupiter.
Detailed mineralogical analysis, first conducted in the 19th century and later in modern laboratories, allowed for a more precise classification and the reconstruction of the fragment’s cosmic history.
On April 23, 2019, a carbonaceous chondrite meteorite, millions of years old, fell in Aguas Zarcas de San Carlos, Costa Rica (Photo courtesy of the University of Costa Rica).
The International Dispersal of the Heredia Meteorite Fragments and Their Rarity in Central America
One of the most striking aspects of this case is the wide dispersal of the meteorite fragments. The largest fragment, weighing 410 grams, is housed at the Institute of Mineralogy at the University of Göttingen in Germany.
Other specimens are located at the École des Mines in Paris, the Natural History Museum in London, and the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada, as well as institutions in Switzerland, Austria, the United States, and France.
However, in Costa Rica, a small fragment weighing 2.9 grams is on display at the School of Geology at the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR)—University of Costa Rica, donated by geologist Gerardo J. Soto after he acquired it on the international meteorite market.
According to the International Meteorite Catalog, only three similar events were documented in Central America during the 19th century:
“Heredia” in 1857
“Rosario” in Honduras in 1896
“Chinautla” in Guatemala in 1902.
This scarcity is explained by the fact that most meteorites fall in unpopulated areas or at sea, making their recovery and study difficult. An analysis published by the Central American Geological Journal calculated that Costa Rica could expect to recover a meteorite approximately every 1,200 years.
The meteorite connects Costa Rica’s natural history with the formation processes of the solar system, since chondrite meteorites preserve information about the evolution of asteroids and the primordial composition of rocky planets.
The Heredia meteorite remains relevant because it is one of the few verified cases in Central America and because of its value as an object of international study. Its story illustrates how an event witnessed in the 19th century continues to generate questions and allow for research on the origin and dynamics of the solar system.
Q COSTARICA — The illicit drugs seized in recent days in Nicaragua allegedly originated in Costa Rica and even crossed border controls, which include scanners, according to Guatemalan truck driver Juan José Ríos Trujillo, who was arrested as part of the operation.
The Co-Director of the Nicaraguan National Police, Victoriano Ruiz, shared key details of the operation with the pro-government media news El19Digital.com.
According to the publication, the suspect claimed he was originally hired to transport a shipment of tools from Mexico to Costa Rica. The service was valued at US$1,800. It began on March 22 and concluded with the delivery of the cargo in Alajuela.
For the return trip, on March 26, the driver maintains he picked up a load of paper in Calle Blancos, on the northeast side of San José, with a destination of Santa Lucía Milpa Alta, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.
However, that trip was thwarted by police intervention in Nicaragua.
“The detainee continued his account, stating that on Saturday, March 28, 2026, he headed towards the Costa Rican-Nicaraguan border. While in Costa Rica, his cargo was scanned, but no anomalies were detected,” reported El19Digital.
“On Sunday, March 29, 2026, at approximately 2:30 p.m., upon entering Nicaragua, anomalies were detected in the cargo. The drugs he was transporting in the coils were seized,” the report added.
Photo from El19Digital.comGuatemalan truck driver Juan José Ríos Trujillo in police custody, Photo from El19Digital.comPhoto from El19Digital.com
How were the drugs detected?
According to the Policia Nacional, the detainee acknowledged that he had not caused any problems on his journey: “I passed through the scanner (in Costa Rica), then I went to Peñas Blancas on the Nicaraguan side, I went to the Narcotics module, they put the stamp on me to go through the scanner, I followed the customs protocol, I went through the scanner and I came out suspicious,” Trujillo reportedly said.
According to the Police Chief, the operation began with profiling the suspicious vehicle as it entered Nicaragua.
“At 6:00 p.m., at the Peñas Blancas Border Crossing in the municipality of Cárdenas, Rivas department, the aforementioned vehicle was stopped, and an inspection of the interior of the trailer revealed twenty rolls of Kraft paper,” the publication explains.
It was there that the operation uncovered the suspicious cargo.
“Seven of the rolls contained 1,057 rectangular packages wrapped in adhesive tape. A field test was positive for cocaine, with a total weight of 1,312 kilograms,” they added.
The police chief confirmed that when the Scintrex Trace technique (a cocaine particle detector) was applied to the steering wheel, gearshift, and dashboard of the tractor-trailer, as well as to the suspect’s hands, palms, and clothing, the results were positive for cocaine particles.
Furthermore, on March 26, the Policia Nacional announced the arrest of Guatemalan citizen Ricardo José Munguía Rodríguez, after police agents found US$415,550 in cash in his vehicle.
“The National Police continues to strike blows against organized crime and drug trafficking,” they stated regarding the incident in the municipality of La Paz Centro, in the department of León.
Nicaragua Steps Up Drug Interdiction
El19Digital described the recent police action as part of their “decisive blows against organized crime and international drug trafficking”.
The United States has formally accused the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua of involvement in drug trafficking, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries. According to U.S. officials, members of President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo’s government have been implicated in facilitating the movement of narcotics.
The allegations point to a network that allegedly uses state resources and institutions to support drug shipments, undermining regional security and international law enforcement efforts.
Q COSTARICA (BBC Mundo) While the Nordic countries have long dominated the United Nations World Happiness Index, 2026 brings a surprise.
For the first time in the index’s 14-year history, a country from the Americas has entered the top five, thanks to Costa Rica’s rise in recent years from 23rd place in 2023 to fourth currently.
The rankings, produced annually by Gallup, the Oxford Centre for Wellbeing Research, and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, are based on the average of how residents of 140 countries rate their own lives, along with factors such as GDP, social support, life expectancy, perceived freedom, generosity, and corruption.
For the second year running, no English-speaking country made the top 10, with Australia ranking 15th, the United States 23rd, Canada 25th, and the United Kingdom 29th.
This year, the countries in the top five have unique aspects that contribute to their happiness, although freedom to make life choices scored highly across the board.
The BBC spoke to residents of each of these countries to find out what contributes to their daily and long-term sense of happiness, and how travelers can get a taste of the local “happy life” when they visit.
1. Finland
For nine of the last 10 years, Finland has been ranked number one. The country scores highly for social support and low perceived corruption, and residents frequently point to the social safety net—including education and healthcare—that creates a sense of security and well-being.
“I love the fact that Finland is safe and I can trust the average person here,” said Olli Salo, co-founder of the Helsinki-based company Skimle. “Children walk to school from the age of seven, you don’t feel threatened walking home, and you can trust that if someone makes a promise, they’ll keep it.”
While the country has high taxes, residents see a clear trade-off. Salo compares it to paying for a premium software subscription; it may cost more, but the quality is better.
“Most of the really important things in life, like healthcare, education, and transportation, are public services, so why not spend a little and then enjoy them with good quality?” he commented.
He also finds Finnish workplaces more collaborative than in other parts of the world, with less hierarchy and less “corporate drama.”
For Daniel Sazonov, the current mayor of Helsinki, happiness also comes from the proximity to nature. “Being able to step outside and, in just a few minutes, be at the sea, a park, or a forest for an evening stroll is something special,” he said.
For visitors, experiencing Finland’s sauna culture should be the first stop. With some three million saunas for a population of just 5.5 million, the nation is certainly not short on options.
“I suggest trying the different saunas in Helsinki and maybe taking a dip in the chilly Baltic Sea,” Sazonov recommended.
Helsinki’s Oodi Central Library, opened in 2018, is a striking modern landmark and a popular meeting place for locals and tourists alike.
Beyond the capital, Salo recommends heading north in winter, renting a cabin, and watching the Northern Lights. But he cautions against overcrowding his itinerary.
“I’ve never understood those who book four activities a day and rush from a dog sledding tour to a Northern Lights tour,” Salo remarked. “That’s not the Finnish way.”
2. Iceland
Pushing Denmark out of second place for the first time since 2014, this island nation of just 400,000 people ranked first in social support, which measures the level to which residents feel they have someone to rely on in times of hardship.
It also ranks in the top 10 for GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, and generosity, giving it the most comprehensive performance in the ranking.
“Historically, our isolation meant that survival was a communal effort. For centuries, there was no outside help. It was just us, and we had to stick together,” noted Ingibjörg Friðriksdóttir, a Reykjavík resident and digital commerce manager at Hotel Rangá. “That legacy has shaped a culture where helping each other is simply second nature.”
Icelanders also possess a remarkable adaptability, forged from surviving harsh, dark winters.
“We learn to appreciate the little things: a good cup of coffee, warm pools, and spending time with friends,” said Bryndís Björnsdóttir, executive director of the Laugara geothermal lagoon in Reykjavík. “When summer arrives, we suddenly have daylight almost all night, and everyone becomes more energetic and cheerful.”
No matter the season, residents suggest getting outside despite the weather. “The fresh air, the open landscapes, and the feeling of freedom are a big part of what makes this a great country,” Björnsdóttir said. It’s also worth taking the time to enjoy the food, especially the fresh fish.
At the Rangá Hotel, guests can sign up for the “Live Like an Icelander” program, where they’ll learn to pronounce the phrase “Þetta reddast,” which translates to the core Icelandic sentiment that contributes to the country’s happiness: no matter the situation, everything will be alright.
3. Denmark
A perennial top-ranked country, Denmark has never fallen below fourth place in the index’s history and has frequently held the top spot. Ranked third this year, the country also ranks third in social support and low corruption, and seventh in GDP per capita. But this sense of happiness isn’t always readily apparent.
“It’s not about having a big smile and laughing,” said Laura Hall, a Copenhagen-based journalist and author of The Year I Lay My Head in the Water, a book about swimming in Scandinavia.
“It’s really about faith in society, mutual trust, and the belief that everyone works together for the common good.”
Hall is raising two daughters here and says the sense of security is constant.
She also loves Copenhagen’s clean harbor, which the city transformed from an industrial canal in the 1990s into a place where residents now swim year-round.
In Ribe, the country’s oldest village, resident Lise Frederiksen sees happiness rooted in civic engagement. “Every day I walk along the cobblestone streets, I feel grateful for the life I have here,” she said.
She values the Danish education system, where children from all economic backgrounds attend the same public school for 10 years and parents are expected to coordinate playgroups in every household. “It’s important for children to visit each other’s homes so they can see that people can live in many different ways,” she said.
For travelers, Frederiksen advises visiting during one of Ribe’s many festivals, which range from oyster and tulip celebrations to heavy metal music. Visitors who come in the fall can appreciate the “black sun” period, when millions of starlings migrate across the region in flocks so dense they momentarily block out daylight.
In Copenhagen, visitors don’t need to plan a perfect itinerary to feel the laid-back vibe.
“Most of the time, visitors leave with a sense of calm and peace, and a touch of envy seeing people cycling about, going about their lives in a relaxed way,” Hall added. “There really isn’t a culture of rushing here.”
4. Costa Rica
Climbing to fourth place in this year’s rankings, Costa Rica is the first Latin American country to crack the top five, with its scores for freedom and social support measures nearly doubling since 2021.
While Costa Rica’s GDP and government support scores aren’t as high as those of the Nordic nations, residents report a high degree of freedom to make their own life choices.
They also have a significantly higher appreciation of their lives than the measured factors alone might predict, according to the index.
When resident Adrian Hunt was asked what makes Costa Rica such a happy place, he didn’t hesitate. “Community, community, community,” repeated the digital nomad who lives in Las Catalinas, a car-free village on the Guanacaste coast.
“Having people who share your passion for healthy living, being outdoors, and being neighbors,” he summarized.
Nature is also a source of daily happiness.
Hunt describes waking up in the morning, walking along the beach, and watching howler monkeys swing from tree to tree while fish chase each other in the bay.
“I think Costa Rica has the best quality of life of any country in Central America,” Hunt emphasized. “There’s something about the energy of the people, both locals and expats, that makes this country special.”
To get a sense of happiness in Costa Rica, he recommends sitting in a café and striking up a conversation or walking along the country’s many kilometers of trails.
“We want people to take away from this place how truly peaceful and tranquil it is,” he concluded.
5. Sweden
Entering in fifth place this year, Sweden has fluctuated between fourth and tenth place over the past decade. It ranks seventh in the world for healthy life expectancy and fifth for low perceived corruption.
Its presence at the top reflects what residents describe as a balance between progressive urban living and easy access to nature.
“One of the main reasons Sweden consistently ranks so high in happiness is that we are a small country,” explained Micael Dahlen, Professor of Wellbeing, Social Welfare, and Happiness at the Stockholm School of Economics.
“Distances are short—between people, between cities, and between nature.” We have learned to trust and depend on one another, to share and appreciate what we have, to live in harmony with nature, and to welcome new ideas and people.”
One cultural detail encapsulates this egalitarian trend: the universal use of the informal “du” (you) to address someone, regardless of status.
“No matter who you are—a pop star, a Nobel laureate, a prime minister, or a professor of happiness like myself—above all, you are du,” Dahlen emphasized.
Her center recently partnered with the capital to launch the Stockholm Wellbeing Index, ensuring that wellbeing is measured and developed alongside economic growth.
“I love the people and their kindness, the slower pace of life, the beautiful nature and landscapes, and the feeling that I made a good decision for my future and the future of my children,” commented Karolina Pikus, who moved here from Poland and writes a blog, LikeSweden.com.
In Gothenburg, where she now lives, she particularly enjoys being able to swim in the sea, visit a lake, and walk in the forest, all in the same day thanks to the excellent public transportation.
Locals recommend visiting during the summer, especially for first-timers. In the height of summer, visitors can dance to traditional songs, eat jordgubbstårta (strawberry cake), and enjoy the long Scandinavian evenings.
In Stockholm, Dahlen suggests simply walking. “Everything in Stockholm and our cities is within walking distance, and you might bump into anyone,” she said. The archipelago is a short boat trip away and “really worth it.”
But the simplest entry point is fika: sitting down with a coffee and a cinnamon roll and observing the rhythm of the street. “That, for me, is one of the best ways to understand Sweden,” Pikus said. “To pause, take a deep breath, and allow yourself to enjoy the moment.”
Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica took an unprecedented step in its commercial history by completing its first export of cannabis for therapeutic purposes.
On March 13, the company Hybrida Farms, in Cartago, shipped a consignment to Europe, marking the beginning of this new productive activity, as reported by the newspaper El Observador.
The export was made possible because the company met all the requirements established by the European Union and stipulated in current legislation.
These include high standards and requirements such as Good Agricultural and Harvesting Practices (GACP) certification.
For Walter Niehaus, a consultant at Hybrida Farms, this advancement represents a gateway to new international markets and an opportunity for the country to solidify its reputation as a reliable producer of medicinal cannabis with high standards.
The businessman emphasized that this type of product combines unusual characteristics, being simultaneously an agricultural commodity and a medical input, which implies meeting more rigorous health requirements for its international trade.
Slow Progress in Costa Rica
As of June 2025, under Law 10113, Costa Ricans have been able to legally access medicinal cannabis to treat illnesses such as cancer, epilepsy, and fibromyalgia; however, in practice, access is more difficult than it seems.
Current regulations require that medicinal cannabis products can only be purchased with a medical prescription and exclusively in pharmacies.
This last point has sparked a wave of criticism from investors, lawyers, and businesspeople, who believe that the Ministry of Health is creating an oligopoly in favor of large pharmaceutical chains.
How to Access Medical Cannabis in Costa Rica
To legally obtain medical cannabis in Costa Rica, you must follow these specific steps:
Medical Evaluation: You must undergo a consultation with a licensed Costa Rican doctor to determine if your condition qualifies for treatment.
Digital Prescription: If approved, the doctor issues a specialized digital prescription.
Pharmacy Purchase: Products containing THC or CBD are sold exclusively through registered pharmacies. They are not available over-the-counter or in standard “weed shops”.
Supply Limits: Prescriptions are typically capped at a 30-day supply.
Qualifying Medical Conditions
Doctors may prescribe medical cannabis for several conditions, including:
Chronic Pain: Fibromyalgia, arthritis, and neuropathy.
Neurological Disorders: Refractory epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s.
Cancer Support: Managing nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss from chemotherapy.
Mental Health: Severe anxiety, PTSD, and depression.
Sleep Disorders: Chronic insomnia.
Important Legal Restrictions
Recreational Use: Remains illegal. While personal possession of small amounts (often cited as 1–8 grams) is generally decriminalized and may only lead to confiscation, public consumption is prohibited.
Self-Cultivation: Growing your own cannabis at home is strictly prohibited. All medicinal products must be produced by licensed laboratories.
Tourists & Visitors: Prescriptions from other countries are not honored in Costa Rica. Visitors must consult a local doctor to get a valid Costa Rican prescription.
Public Smoking: Smoking any substance is strictly banned in all public spaces, including beaches, parks, and bars.
Q COSTARICA — The Clodomiro Picado Institute (ICP) of the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) announced the launch of the free mobile application “ICP App”, which makes it easier for people to identify the 25 venomous snakes found in the country and what to do in case of a bite.
This is an educational and informational application developed by the Clodomiro Picado Institute, part of the University of Costa Rica. Its objective is to provide information about the main venomous snake species in Costa Rica.
According to Dr. Andrés Hernández Bolaños, pharmaceutical director of the ICP-UCR and driving force behind the initiative, the idea for this app arose from the numerous and frequent inquiries the UCR receives from people sending photos of snakes to determine if they are dangerous.
For Dr. Hernández, these inquiries highlight the widespread lack of knowledge that persists among Costa Rican citizens regarding these animals, which underscores the urgent need for the country to have accessible tools—such as those available on mobile phones—that allow people to quickly and easily obtain information and act with scientific rigor.
Furthermore, with a tool backed by robust scientific evidence provided by the Clodomiro Picado Institute, which emerged in 1970 from a program promoted by the Ministry of Health of Costa Rica to develop national capacity to produce therapeutic antivenoms and the UCR, people no longer depend on information found online or in artificial intelligence tools, which could be inaccurate and even life-threatening.
“Almost every day we receive a photo of a snake, and people ask us what kind it is and if it’s venomous. Sometimes, they even tell us that the snake has already been killed, which is completely unnecessary. So, seeing that this was a constant occurrence, and that the need for information was there, we decided to promote this mobile application to provide scientifically sound information. We did this with the help of Fernando Morales Cascante, a student in the Computer Systems Engineering program, who helped us bring the idea to fruition,” Hernández explained.
Having immediate information, Hernández says, can make all the difference when encountering a snake. This benefits not only the public but also healthcare personnel. By strengthening the correct identification of a snake, medical decision-making in the event of a bite can be improved.
“Knowing what to do, or what not to do, can greatly clarify the situation and avoid conflicts or confusion. Having the information at hand, knowing which snakes a person might encounter in certain circumstances and how to act, can help provide greater clarity, better control of the environment, and prevent panic,” Hernández added.
In addition to first aid guides for bites, the application provides information about the Institute’s work, antivenom production, and the ICP-UCR’s official distributors internationally.
“This application can also be used by people who have suffered an accident to indicate the geographic area where it occurred, allowing the doctor, when issuing the report, to specify the type of snake that may have caused the incident. This is being coordinated with the Ministry of Health to gather more epidemiological data in the country,” Yamileth Angulo Ugalde, director of the ICP-UCR, explained.
The application also includes information on twelve commonly confused non-venomous snake species. Facilitating their identification is also important to avoid unnecessary reactions.
In the future, the Clodomiro Picado Institute at the University of Costa Rica plans to integrate artificial intelligence to identify snakes from photographs and collect georeferenced data on sightings.
Q COSTARICA — The exchange rate in Costa Rica continues to decline, and there is no certainty about the levels it will reach in the coming months. Given this scenario, companies must manage foreign exchange risk, an action that will allow them to avoid losses and protect their investments.
To achieve this, companies can use currency hedges, a financial tool that allows companies and investors to establish a contract that fixes the exchange rate at the present time, but which will be applied to future transactions.
Currency hedges aim to mitigate the risk associated with fluctuations in exchange rates and ensure profitability. By using them, users can reduce uncertainty in their foreign currency transactions.
“Companies and investors can access currency hedges through two methods. The first is delivery, in which one currency is exchanged for another on the agreed-upon date. The second is financial settlement, a method in which there is no physical exchange of currencies; instead, the difference between the agreed-upon exchange rate and the market rate is calculated,” explained Rodolfo Herrera, CEO of DAVIbank.
The ideal time to use currency hedges is when a company has exposure to a foreign currency, as this is when exchange rate risk arises.
“Exposure occurs, basically, when companies have to receive or make payments in foreign currency, or when any item on the company’s balance sheet is denominated in a foreign currency,” Herrera added.
Other actions to consider when discussing exchange rates:
Conduct regular reviews of foreign exchange market data (performance, current trends, and historical cycles).
Analyze economic data, including the country’s trade balance, imports and exports, and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Develop efficient risk management.
Make informed decisions that are more consistent with market conditions and the company’s objectives and interests.
Manage cash flow
Inadequate management of foreign exchange risk, or a complete lack thereof, can generate undesirable effects, primarily on cash flow and the company’s profitability. By not hedging this risk, the company is exposed to exchange rate volatility and uncertainty about the price at which it will buy or sell foreign currency. Additionally, its balance sheet items will remain subject to these fluctuations.
“Companies must consider that, without proper foreign exchange risk management, their cash flow planning becomes uncertain, as it is impossible to accurately anticipate the exchange rate at which they will buy or sell foreign currency,” Herrera concluded.
To achieve a successful currency hedging strategy, the recommendation is to seek advice from specialists in the field and focus efforts on decisions that take into account all the variables of the current market.
