Q COSTARICA — A reduction of between ¢58 and ¢1,300 colones in traffic fines was applied starting January 1st.
The Superior Council of the Judiciary upheld the fee schedule for sanctions included in the Law on Traffic on Public Roads, Land Transportation, and Road Safety for 2026.
The reduction in fees is approximately 0.22% and will remain in effect throughout the year.
For example, violating vehicle restrictions, driving with an expired license, or failing to yield to a pedestrian will now cost ¢58 colones less, with the fines decreasing from ¢26,063 to ¢26,005 as a result of the update.
In the case of Category A fines, applicable to infractions such as driving under the influence, the amount decreases from ¢363,639 to ¢362,839, a drop of ¢800.
The highest penalty, applied to commercial establishments for non-compliance with the use of preferential parking spaces, decreases from ¢614,339 to ¢612,988, representing a reduction of ¢1,300.
A young Costa Rican votes in the referendum to approve a free trade agreement with the United States 07 October, 2007 in the morning at a polling center in Cartago, 12 km southeast from San Jose. Voting opened in Costa Rica Sunday on a free trade treaty with the United States, officials said, as polls showing central America's richest state may turn down closer ties with the economic superpower. Costa Rica is the only country to hold a referendum on the deal, which has been ratified by Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, opening them up to free trade with the United States. AFP PHOTO/Mayela LOPEZ (Photo by MAYELA LOPEZ / AFP)
Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica enters the final stretch of the 2026 National Elections this Friday, January 2nd. According to the schedule established by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciónes (TSE)—Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the year-end holidays truce period, which expired this Thursday, is no longer in effect.
With this, presidential candidates will be able to resume their campaigns and advertise in various media outlets and social networks.
During the truce, candidates were prohibited from disseminating campaign materials and were only permitted to issue one Christmas message on social media or traditional media.
In fact, they were allowed to issue three messages, according to the regulations issued by the TSE, and allowed to continue visiting communities.
Political analyst Sergio Araya told El Observador that, after the break, the final stretch of the electoral campaign is underway, and January is crucial.
According to Araya, greater participation is now expected from the candidates leading in the polls in various debates. Likewise, high participation from the candidates is projected in different forums organized by various media outlets and some universities.
According to the analyst, Laura Fernández, the official candidate of the Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO), will seek to consolidate her position and try to increase the number of votes she needs to win in the first round, which requires a candidate to obtain at least 40% of the popular vote, to avoid a run-off vote in April.
Meanwhile, the other candidates will try to prevent this scenario from occurring.
“We will likely see an aggressive campaign against the current leader (Fernandez), aiming to highlight what they perceive as their weaknesses, shortcomings, and limitations.
“On the other hand, the other candidates will try to differentiate themselves so that one of them can stand out and at least secure second place, potentially leading to a runoff election,” Araya stated.
According to polls conducted by specialized centers and institutes at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the Universidad Nacional (UNA), the Fernandez, known as the Chavista candidate, has nearly 30% support, well above the other candidates, but with a high number of undecided voters, according to data from December.
According to Araya, this January will be a campaign focused on increasing advertising spending in traditional media, with a particular emphasis on analog formats.
Anticipated also is the continuation of the digital media strategy through aggressive campaigns. aimed at maintaining the polarized tone observed so far.
“The great challenge is to somehow minimize the role of the President this month, who, despite being unable to actively intervene in the process, has been a central figure.
“Media and public attention will focus precisely on the candidates, especially the presidential candidates, but there will also be a special emphasis on the congressional candidates,” Araya explained.
The analyst indicated that the ruling party’s proposal for a robust majority in the Legislative Assembly has generated greater appeal and interest compared to previous electoral processes.
The national elections are scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026.
If, for any reason, there is a second round of voting, it would take place on April 5, Easter Sunday.
Approximately 3.7 million Costa Ricans are eligible to vote to choose the next president, two vice-presidents, and the 57 legislators of the Legislative Assembly that will serve for the 2026-2030 term.
Q COSTARICA — The new mayor of San José is standing firm that the “Tope”, the year-end annual horse parade, will not return to the capital during his administration. The young mayor stated, “An activity where the nobility exhibited their wealth to people who did not have access.”
The mayor addressed the issue through a video on his social networks, before Gilberto Santa Rosa’s free concert in La Sabana, an activity that, according to Miranda, strengthens citizen access to culture.
“It is a time to enjoy as a family, to enjoy our traditions, new and old, and also change some. We have changed traditions such as the tope, which is a rather outdated activity,” he said in the video.
“It is an activity from times past where the nobility exhibited their wealth in front of people who did not have access to them. We are offering other options to people, other traditions that are more in line with the idiosyncrasy of our country, for example, having access to culture and leisure as part of a public government policy,” he added.
In 2024, Miranda justified the decision due to the high cost of carrying out these types of events.
“The Tope has become an event that produces a million-dollar deficit for the municipal coffers. For this and other reasons, I have made the decision not to carry out this activity. We will seek to redirect the resources previously allocated to this activity toward community and infrastructure works that are necessary in our neighborhoods,” he published on the social network X (formerly Twitter) at that time.
Miranda, a Costa Rican historian and politician, and the younger mayor of San José, taking office in May 2024 at the age of 34, has been criticized for eliminating the Tope and in the name of modernizing the city.
“There are public decisions that are announced as gestures of modernity, but that in reality reveal a fragile—if not superficial—understanding of the social history of the country or region that is governed,” writes Ricardo Salas in an opinion piece published at El Observador.
“The National Tope was never simply a horse parade. For decades it functioned as a civic ritual: a space where the city reunited, even if only symbolically, with the rural country from which much of its identity comes. Describing it as an “outdated” or “elitist” practice means projecting onto Costa Rican history categories that are foreign to it,” writes Salas.
The Tope, until last year, had been held for decades on December 26 in the streets of the capital.
The recognition appears in position #21 on the list published by the American newspaper, which highlights that the change in category occurred after multiple years of solid economic growth.
21. Costa Rica became the newest country to earn the status of being a “high-income” country, according to the World Bank, thanks to multiple years of strong growth.
According to the World Bank, Costa Rica moved from the upper-middle income category to high income, after registering an average growth of 4.7% in the last three years.
In 2024, the Costa Rican economy grew 4.3%, a performance that consolidated the progress, driven mainly by private consumption and investment.
The organization also pointed out that in 2023, the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, measured under the Atlas method, was already close to the upper threshold of the medium-high category, which left the country on the verge of the change that took place this year.
The promotion implies greater international recognition of the country’s productive capacity, its macroeconomic stability and the dynamism of key sectors of the economy.
This improves the perception of Costa Rica as a destination for foreign investment, facilitates access to credit under better conditions and reinforces its positioning before international organizations.
However, specialists have pointed out that the challenge now is to translate this growth into greater well-being for the population, through improvements in the quality of services, the reduction of inequalities and the strengthening of formal employment.
As it is a classification that is reviewed every year, Costa Rica’s permanence in this category will depend on its ability to sustain economic growth and improve per capita income over time.
After the publication of the Washington Post, the Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar, reacted on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
El Editorial del @washingtonpost menciona la declaratoria de Costa Rica 🇨🇷 como país de renta alta como una de “las 25 buenas cosas que ocurrieron en el 2025”. Nadie es profeta en su tierra. pic.twitter.com/LMywvgn0vn
Q24N (MercoPress) The Economist has chosen two countries for outstanding/impressive achievements during 2025. A controversial selection based on particular criteria to measure them, but since The Economist is a global leading voice, very knowledgeable and respected, in international affairs, it is also a great merit for those countries named.
In the case of Argentina, changes in the political-economic environment have been radical, impressive achievements in the economic field with liberal president Javier Milei and his chainsaw policies, plus the latter help of president Trump and the Treasury Department, but also despite painful measures, the midterm electoral astounding victory over the Peronist movement which has dominated Argentine politics for the last eighty years.
In Syria, a new team has dramatically changed the geopolitical situation, improving conditions for a possible new scenario in the volatile area, since Syria is a crucial piece of the Middle East jigsaw puzzle and clash of religious dogmas. Follows the article.
Each Christmas, The Economist names a country of the year. Not the happiest: that would nearly always be Scandinavian, making for a dull, predictable contest. Nor the most influential: that would always be a superpower. Rather, we try to identify the country that has improved the most, whether economically, politically or in any other way that matters.
The year was a turbulent one, with President Donald Trump disrupting global trade and horrific conflicts scarring places such as Gaza and Sudan. But several countries navigated choppy waters well. Canada elected a sober technocrat as prime minister, rather than a populist, and stood up to American bullying. Voters in Moldova rejected a pro-Russian party despite threats and disinformation from Moscow. Mr. Trump brokered a shaky truce between Israel and the Palestinians.
South Korea recovered from a serious threat to its democracy. A year ago, President Yoon Suk Yeol tried to impose martial law, sending troops to shut down parliament. But lawmakers, protesters, and institutions held firm, and this year the disgraced ex-president was put on trial for insurrection.
Another exemplar of how to deal with violent attempts to upend the constitutional order was Brazil. In September, a Brazilian court imposed a 27-year jail term on Jair Bolsonaro, a former president who lost an election in 2022, claimed he was cheated, and tried to mount a coup to stay in power.
Brazil was plagued by coups for much of the 20th century; this is the first time a ‘putschist’ has been suitably punished. The government also managed in 2025 to slow the pace of deforestation in the Amazon, thus doing its bit to slow climate change. However, its Kremlin-cuddling foreign policy badly blotted its record.
The two strongest contenders this year are very different: Argentina and Syria.
Argentina’s improvement has been economic. Its president, Javier Milei, began far-reaching free-market reforms in 2023, hoping to jolt his country out of more than a century of statism and stagnation. Such reforms—abolishing price controls, curbing spending, and ditching distorting subsidies—are exceptionally hard because they are exceptionally painful; many previous reformers have failed.
Yet Mr Milei stuck to his chainsaw in 2025, and voters stuck with him. So did America, offering a US$ 20bn lifeline to avert a financial crisis. The results have been impressive. Inflation has fallen from 211% in 2023 to around 30% now. The poverty rate is down by 21 percentage points since last year. The budget has been wrestled under control. Mr Milei has moved towards a floating peso, and removed most capital controls.
Argentina could still fail. The Peronists who misruled it for generations are itching to return, should Mr Milei stumble. And the president has many flaws: he is intolerant of critics and beset by corruption scandals. But if his reforms are sustained, they could permanently alter Argentina’s trajectory—and give hope to economic reformers everywhere.
Syria’s improvement, by contrast, has been political. Little more than a year ago, it was ruled by Bashar al-Assad, an odious dictator backed by Iran and Russia. His jails were stuffed with political prisoners, and dissent was punished with torture or death.
Thirteen years of civil war had claimed more than half a million lives. Mr Assad’s forces had used chemical weapons and barrel bombs indiscriminately on civilians. More than 6m people had fled from the country.
Then, in early December 2024, the tyrant was himself forced to flee as rebels seized power. When we were choosing that year’s country of the year, it was too soon to have an idea of how the new Syria might look. Its ruler, Ahmed al-Sharaa, was a jihadist. Many feared he would impose a grim Islamist theocracy, or that Syria would collapse into chaos. In fact, neither has happened. Women are not obliged to cover up or stay at home. Entertainment and, yes, alcohol are allowed. Mr Sharaa has brought about a series of positive surprises, holding the country together and forging good relations with America and the Gulf states. As Western sanctions are relaxed, the economy is starting to recover, too.
Huge problems remain. Militias carried out two atrocious local massacres of minorities, in which 2,000 people died. Mr Sharaa rules in a clannish way, and in such a fragile country much could still go wrong.
Nonetheless, Syria in 2025 is far happier and more peaceful than it was in 2024. Fear is no longer universal. Life is not easy, but it is more or less normal for most people. Voting with their feet, many Syrians have returned home.
Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica’s economy is expected to face 2026 with a scenario of generalized stability, without significant shocks to the main macroeconomic indicators, despite the country being in an election year.
This is the prediction of analysts and others in the financial sector, who foresee orderly exchange rate behavior, a prudent monetary policy, contained inflation, and moderate economic growth.
Projections indicate that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow between 3.5% and 4%, a figure consistent with the country’s recent performance and with an international environment that, while challenging, does not appear adverse for Costa Rica.
Dollar with slight variations
On the other hand, one of the focuses of attention for businesses and consumers will be the foreign exchange market.
According to the experts, the dollar exchange will remain within a narrow range throughout next year, without episodes of high volatility.
Economic analyst Daniel Suchar maintains that current conditions support this expectation. Among these factors, the level of international reserves stands out, exceeding US$16 billion, as well as interest rates that remain at relatively high levels.
In this context, Suchar estimates that the US dollar will fluctuate between ¢500 and ¢525 colones throughout 2026, without any pressures pointing to abrupt movements in the short or medium term.
Monetary policy will remain cautious
Regarding interest rates, the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)—defined by the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) and a key benchmark for the financial system—will continue to be adjusted gradually.
Experts agree that any reduction will be cautious, largely conditioned by the decisions made by the US Federal Reserve (Fed). An uncertain international environment will likely lead the BCCR to prioritize prudence over rapid rate cuts.
According to Elizabeth Morales, deputy manager of Coopecaja, the Central Bank will maintain the conservative approach that has characterized its recent actions.
“Internal decisions will be closely aligned with what happens in the United States and with the need to preserve macroeconomic stability,” she notes.
Although the baseline outlook is positive, the final performance of the economy in 2026 will depend on several factors. Morales points to the performance of the main trading partners, the pace of public works projects, and the country’s ability to maintain a stable macroeconomic environment.
While some estimates place growth around 3%, there is room for a higher result if favorable regional and international conditions converge.
Another key element will be the behavior of the cost of living. Forecasts indicate that inflation will remain at low levels and even below the target range established by the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) throughout 2026.
This scenario represents immediate relief for households and workers, protecting their purchasing power. However, it also presents challenges if low inflation is accompanied by an economic slowdown.
Financial advisor Vidal Villalobos, of Grupo Financiero Prival, rules out a stagflation scenario for now.
“There are no signs of stagnation with high inflation. The economy continues to grow, and unemployment is at historic lows,” he explains.
Villalobos adds that everything indicates that negative inflation could extend through 2026 and much of 2027, without implying, at least for now, a significant deterioration in the labor market.
Although February 2026 will mark a new election cycle, analysts believe that the impact on economic indicators will be limited. The strength of macroeconomic fundamentals and the continuity of economic policy would reduce the risk of shocks associated with the political cycle.
Q COSTARICA — Acclaimed Australian-British actor Hugh Jackman arrived in Costa Rica this Saturday, and his first stop was the paradisiacal district of Cóbano, in Puntarenas, to vacation and enjoy the Costa Rican “pura vida”.
The actor, known worldwide for his role as Logan/Wolverine in the X-Men saga, among other notable performances in film and theater, was seen this weekend with a group of truck drivers at the Cóbano Aerodrome, according to a photograph circulating on social media taken by locals and shared by Peninsula Informada.
The Cobano area boasts beaches popular with both domestic and international tourists, such as Santa Teresa, Malpaís, Manzanillo, and Montezuma.
This isn’t his first visit to Costa Rica: in March 2023, he made one of his most well-known trips there, during which he even shared photos of sunsets on the beach and videos of himself working out on social media.Jackman, recognized for his charisma both on and off screen, has had one of the most versatile careers in Hollywood.
A group of local drivers took photos with the actor, according to an image published by the news outlet Península Informada.
He made his international debut in the X-Men film series (2000) as Logan/Wolverine, a role he played for more than 17 years and which became one of the most iconic characters in superhero cinema.
In addition to X-Men, Jackman has acted in a wide range of genres, notably in musicals like The Greatest Showman (2017), dramas like Les Misérables (2012), and thrillers like Prisoners (2013).
His versatility has earned him recognition in film, theater, and television, as well as awards such as the Golden Globe and the Tony.
The actor’s visit to Cóbano has generated great excitement among residents and tourists, who are taking advantage of the star’s presence to take photos and share their impressions on social media.
The SINPE (Sistema Nacional de Pagos Electrónicos) — National Electronic Payments System, the technological platform of the Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) that connects banks and institutions, allowing instant fund transfers (SINPE Movil) by linking accounts to phone numbers, will be available without interruption at the end of the year and the first days of January.
The BCCR clarified that all SINPE services that operate automatically and are used by the public will function normally during the end-of-year and New Year’s period.
The services that will be provided as usual are the following:
Sinpe Móvil
Transfers between financial institutions
Digital signature
Public transportation payments
The Central Bank made the clarification in order to avoid any confusion about reports that the service would be offline on Wednesday, December 31, as well as on January 1.
However, this information refers to services offered directly to banks through the SINPE system. It does not include services that are available to the public automatically, such as those mentioned previously.
Central Bank post on social networks
SINPE Móvil Usage Grows in Costa Rica
Between January and October 2025, more than 615 million transfers were registered through SINPE Móvil. This represents a 16.8% increase compared to the 526 million transactions registered during the same period in 2024.
During the same period this year, the value of transfers reached ¢10.1 billion colones. The year-over-year increase is 16.4% compared to the nearly ¢8.7 billion colones registered between January and October 2024.
On the other hand, the number of active phone subscriptions increased from 4.1 million in October 2024 to 4.4 million last October. These figures represent a 6.9% growth.
The average transfer amount remains stable, at around ¢16,500.
The 14th, 15th, 16th, and also the 28th, 30th, 1st, and 2nd of each month see the highest activity. These days account for 26% of all transactions and 30% of the total value traded.
This information comes from data from the Central Bank, recently released by the Costa Rican Banking Association (ABC).
Q COSTARICA — Just weeks before the presidential elections, the ruling party’s candidate, Laura Fernández, of the Partido Pueblo Soberano, is very close to securing a first-round victory, according to the latest poll by Opol Consultores, released on Christmas Eve.
According to the study, Fernández has 39.45% of the intended vote, placing her less than one percentage point away from reaching the 40% of valid votes needed to avoid a runoff election in April.
In a distant second place is Álvaro Ramos, of the v, with 5.64%, followed by Ariel Robles, of the Frente Amplio, who registers 3.13% of the support.
The remaining candidates are distributed as follows: Fabricio Alvarado (2.98%), Natalia Díaz of Unidos Podemos (2.84%), Claudia Dobles of Coalición Agenda Ciudadana (2.63%), Juan Carlos Hidalgo of PUSC (2.49%), Fernando Zamora of PNG (1.52%), while the other candidates collectively account for 2.64%.
The poll also reveals that 33.77% of voters remain undecided, a factor that could prove decisive in the outcome of the election.
However, when analyzing only those who stated they had decided how to vote, Laura Fernández garners 62.3% of the support, far ahead of Álvaro Ramos, who would reach 8.91%, and Ariel Robles, with 4.94%.
The survey was conducted between December 19 and 22, with a sample of 3,241 people nationwide, a margin of error of ±2.11%, and a confidence level of 95%.
Q COSTARICA — Transfers made through SINPE Móvil exceeded ¢10.1 billion colones between January and October 2025. The service’s rapid growth led the Asociación Bancaria Costarricense (ABC) — Costa Rican Banking Association, to reinforce its call for the responsible and secure use of this digital payment tool.
In the first ten months of the year, more than 615 million transactions were registered, a 16.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024, while the total amount transacted grew by 16.4%, according to data from the Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) — Central Bank of Costa Rica.
The system’s progress is also reflected in the number of users. Active subscriptions increased from 4.18 million in October 2024 to 4.47 million in October 2025, representing a 6.9% growth and confirming that Sinpe Móvil is now an integral part of the population’s daily financial lives.
“The sustained growth of SINPE Móvil demonstrates how much the way people make payments and transfers has changed. Today, this service is part of daily financial life because it allows for simple, fast, and secure transactions at any time,” commented Daniela Gutiérrez, an economist at ABC.
Usage patterns show that it is a means for everyday payments. The average transfer amount is around ¢16,500 colones, which demonstrates that users primarily employ it for small purchases and payments, taking advantage of its speed and ease.
Furthermore, the 15th, 16th, 30th, 1st, 28th, 2nd, and 14th of each month see the highest activity on the system, accounting for approximately 26% of total transactions and 30% of the total value, coinciding with payroll dates and recurring obligations.
Given the increase in transaction volume, the ABC warned about the need to strengthen digital security habits and reminded users that many risky situations can be avoided with simple preventative measures.
Recommendations to Avoid Fraud
Disconnect your phone number from your bank account when you stop using a cell phone (ie get a new phone number) to prevent someone else from using it.
Only conduct transactions through official financial institution channels, such as apps or online banking.
Always verify the amount, number, and recipient’s name before confirming any transfer.
Be wary of messages or calls from people who claim to have sent a SINPE by mistake and request an immediate refund; if in doubt, contact your bank directly.
Banking officials emphasized that implementing these measures allows users to take advantage of the benefits of the mobile payment system without exposing their information or financial resources.
The Hidden Pitfalls of Using SINPE Móvil
Costa Rica’s SINPE Móvil was launched with the promise of revolutionizing how people send and receive money—offering instant transfers, convenience, and the allure of a cashless society.
As a government-backed platform integrated with the country’s existing banking network, it seemed like a no-brainer for anyone looking to make payments or send money swiftly using just a mobile phone.
But beneath the surface of this digital convenience, users are beginning to stumble upon several pitfalls that cloud the system’s appeal.
At first glance, SINPE Móvil feels like a dream come true. Send money in seconds, split bills with friends, pay for services without fumbling for cash—all from a smartphone. The technology rides on the simplicity of using a phone number linked to a bank account, eliminating the need for complicated account details.
But many users soon find that the system’s simplicity can come with frustrating limitations.
One major complaint revolves around security and fraud concerns. Although SINPE Móvil itself is secure, the ease of sending money to anyone with just a phone number has opened doors for scams. Victims often realize too late that they’ve sent funds to impersonators or been tricked through phishing messages that mimic legitimate notifications.
Another snag relates to accessibility. While the promise of financial inclusion shines on paper, SINPE Móvil assumes users have smartphones and reliable internet connections. In rural parts of Costa Rica, where connectivity can be spotty and not everyone owns a smartphone, this creates a digital divide.
The platform’s integration with banks also introduces bottlenecks. Users have raised issues about delays in receiving funds despite the system’s promise of instant transfers. Technical glitches and outages, though not frequent, can disrupt transactions at critical moments.
For merchants and small business owners who rely on daily cash flow, these hiccups can translate into lost sales and headaches. On the user experience front, the registration process and customer support leave much to be desired. Some users find linking their phone numbers to bank accounts confusing, especially older adults unfamiliar with digital tools.
Q COSTARICA — If you’re someone who’s always rushing to complete your banking transactions, you should take note of the bank’s hours for Christmas and New Year’s.
Financial institutions have adjusted their operating hours due to the national holidays on December 25th and January 1st, 2026.
As a general rule, you should be aware that banks will be closed on those days.
Furthermore, on December 24th and 31st, most financial institutions will operate on a special schedule, except for the Banco de Costa Rica (BCR), which will maintain its regular hours.
Q COSTARICA — The 2026 school year in Costa Rica will begin on Monday, February 23, and conclude on December 9, according to the official calendar of the Ministry of Public Education (MEP).
According to the MEP, before the start of classes, some 90,000 staff— including teaching, technical-teaching, administrative, and support staff—will receive two full weeks of training, from February 9 to 20.
“These training sessions will be held simultaneously throughout the country and are part of the institutional preparation before the start of the school year,” the ministry stated.
In addition to the start of classes, the calendar defines other important dates for the educational community.
Some of the changes are:
Holy (Easter) Week will run from March 29 to April 5
Mid-term break is scheduled from July 6 to 17
The school year will be divided into two periods: first period from February 23 to July 3; the second period will run from July 20 to December 9
Graduation ceremonies will be held on December 10 and 11, 2026
For information on other dates related to enrichment exams, standardized national diagnostic and summative tests, please consult the 2026 School Calendar posted on the official MEP website.
Private schools
Private school calendars vary by region and specific school, but generally follows either a traditional August-June (Northern Hemisphere) or February-December (Southern Hemisphere/Costa Rica) pattern, with key breaks for Easter, Summer, and Christmas; for instance, while Costa Rican schools typically run Feb-Dec with mid-year breaks, so you must check your specific school’s website for exact 2026 dates
Q COSTARICA — On December 5, 2024, the World Trade Organization (WTO) accepted Costa Rica’s complaints regarding various tactics used by Panama to block the export of dairy products and several agricultural goods.
Far from normalizing relations, further complaints, delaying tactics, and setbacks followed, failing to improve trade.
The expectation is that by 2026, a new bilateral rapprochement will be fostered at the level of the Ministries of Foreign Trade and Agriculture.
In an interview with El Observador, the Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar, explained that, following the visit of Panamanian President Raúl Mulino with his Costa Rican counterpart, Rodrigo Chaves, the task of rectifying the situation was delegated to the ministers.
“During President Mulino’s recent visit, both presidents instructed their respective Ministers to sit down and seek a definitive solution,” Tovar explained.
According to Tovar, relations have been excellent for years, but the criticism of Panama’s strategy remains. “It’s a situation that has frustrated us because it’s a friendly country, a neighboring country,” he said.
“Historically, we’ve had a very healthy, positive relationship, but we do feel offended by the treatment we’ve received. Even more so after we won the case and they appealed the ruling, after Costa Rica presented them with an alternative appeal that gave us certainty that everything would come to an end,” he added.
The minister pointed out that it’s a “challenging” issue, but that the first step would be to seek rapprochement through a trip to Panama.
The trade dispute was on the agenda of Panamanian President Raúl Mulino’s visit to San José (Coto Courtesy/Presidency of Panama).
Details of the decisive ruling
In June 2021, Costa Rica filed a case with the WTO regarding restrictions imposed by Panama between 2019 and 2020 on the import of several products. The list included dairy products, meats (beef, pork, and chicken), strawberries, pineapples, bananas, and plantains.
The hearings were held in late 2022, and the process continued.
Panama justified its restrictive measures by claiming that Costa Rica had provided insufficient scientific evidence to support its products. It also questioned the use of certain pesticides.
These claims were rejected, and in late 2024, the WTO issued a ruling in favor of Costa Rica.
According to the panel’s ruling, the measures imposed by Panama “are not based on scientific principles and are maintained without sufficient scientific evidence.”
“The Panel recommends that Panama bring its measures into conformity with its obligations under the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures,” it concluded.
The dispute covered restrictions imposed on:
Strawberries: In mid-2020, Panama prohibited the import of strawberries from Costa Rica.
Dairy and meat: The neighboring country did not renew the sanitary approval for Costa Rican exports of these products and requested that the process be repeated from the beginning. The measure affected dairy products, beef, pork, and poultry, as well as their derivatives, including sausages.
Pineapple: Shipments of fresh pineapple have been blocked since 2019, pending new certifications regarding the management of the pest known as the “pink mealybug.”
Bananas and plantains: trade ground to a halt in 2019 when the Panamanian government announced it would review its control regulations.
How did this issue drag on?
The WTO ruling came with a tacit threat that Panama ultimately carried out. The international body theoretically has a second appeals process. The problem is that this system has been ineffective for years due to the inability to appoint judges, leaving cases at a standstill when they are appealed.
That is what Panama has taken advantage of. Although Costa Rica proposed consensual solutions and arbitration mechanisms, the neighboring country rejected the initiatives.
Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica’s elections tribunal, Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE), reiterated the prohibition against bringing pets into polling places for the February 1 elections.
The decision is based on the guidelines of the Regulations for the Exercise of Suffrage in National Elections, Decree No. 13-2025, specifically, Article 35, section c), which establishes the restriction on bringing animals into the voting room or other polling place where the ballot boxes are located.
One exception to the rule is a service dog, which is a working animal that has been trained to perform tasks that assist disabled people. For an emotional support animal, prior registration with the Junta Receptora de Votos (JRV) — Polling Station Board — is required.
“In these cases, the members of the Polling Station Boards (JRV), in collaboration with the National Corps of Delegates, will be responsible for ensuring the strict application of this provision,” the TSE stated.
The TSE determined that the presence of animals in polling places could compromise the safety of those participating in the process.
It also addressed the risks to the integrity of the electoral materials and the orderly conduct of the civic day.
On February 1, 2026, Costa Rica will elect its next President and two Vice Presidents, as well as the 57 new members of Congress.
SEE MORE: Supreme Electoral Tribunal reminds voters of the Christmas truce: candidates and parties cannot broadcast campaign material starting Tuesday
Q COSTARICA — Gasoline and diesel fuel prices will decrease with the upcoming price adjustment approved by the regulatory body, the Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (Aresep), which will take effect in January 2026, while natural gas will see an increase.
With the new adjustment, the price of a liter of premium gasoline will drop from the current ¢643 to ¢637 (a decrease of ¢6), regular from ¢635 to ¢612 (a decrease of ¢23), and diesel from ¢557 to ¢550 (a decrease of ¢7).
In contrast, a 25 lb cylinder of natural gas will increase from ¢6,825 to ¢6,848, a rise of ¢25.
These price reductions will bring gasoline and diesel to their lowest levels since February 2021, driven by downward pressure in international markets in recent weeks.
Compared to January 2025, premium gasoline will be 4.35% cheaper, regular gasoline 1.78% cheaper, diesel will remain virtually unchanged, and natural gas will be 5.81% cheaper than at the beginning of this year.
The reduction in costs is due to a greater global supply of crude oil, inventory buildup, downward revisions in international forecasts, and increased competition among different types of crude, as reported by Costa Rica’s refinery, that refines nothing, the Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (Recope)
Natural gas, on the other hand, is rising due to increased international prices for propane and butane from key suppliers such as Saudi Aramco and Sonatrach, as well as seasonal demand in the Northern Hemisphere related to heating and higher consumption in major markets like India.
The prices at the pumps are expected to take effect in the first days of the new year.
Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica has given the green light for up to 195 U.S. Coast Guard ships and boats to access the country’s ports next year as part of joint efforts to combat drug trafficking.
The approval, granted last Wednesday by the Legislative Assembly, with 38 votes in favor and five against, covers operations from January 1 to December 31, 2026.
The decision is based on a 1999 bilateral agreement between Costa Rica and the United States that allows for shared maritime patrols. Under this agreement, U.S. ships can dock, remain in port, and allow crew members to disembark at facilities on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.
Their primary role will be to support the Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas Costa Rica (Costa Rican National Coast Guard Service) in intercepting drug shipments within the exclusive economic zone and adjacent waters.
In total, the vessels will deploy 1,092 officers, 6,341 enlisted personnel, and 153 scientific officers. Officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Public Security submitted the request on December 15, emphasizing the need to maintain collaboration to dismantle drug trafficking networks that use maritime routes.
The five dissenting votes came from the Frente Amplio party, with party leader Rocío Alfaro Molina expressing concerns during the debate, noting that many vessels carry heavy weaponry. She cited reports of 25 ship sinkings and 95 deaths in the region attributed to U.S. forces, characterizing them as extrajudicial actions that do not comply with international or national law.
Supporters, including members of other parties, argued that the alliance strengthens Costa Rica’s defense against organized crime without compromising its sovereignty.
Data from the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica demonstrates the value of this cooperation: as of October 31 of this year, joint efforts had led to the seizure of 19 vessels suspected of smuggling, the arrest of 59 people, and the confiscation of 26,066 kilograms of cocaine and 27,358 pounds of marijuana.
This approval marks a new step in the long-standing partnership, as Costa Rica lacks a navy and relies on international assistance to patrol its extensive coastline.
Costa Rica authorities note that the agreement helps prevent drugs from reaching local communities and international markets.
Q COSTARICA — Two of Mexico’s leading low-cost airlines, Viva and Volaris, have agreed to merge, forming what could become one of the biggest domestic airlines in the country.
Volaris has had a presence in Costa Rica for years, while Viva began operations in Costa Rica a few weeks ago, connecting San José with Monterrey, Mexico, with initial flights of two per week.
According to the agreement, the companies will continue operating under their current brands and maintain their own operations, the airlines announced in a joint statement.
“We expect that the formation of the new airline group will allow us to realize significant growth opportunities for air travel in Mexico,” said Enrique Beltranena, president and CEO of Volaris.
The agreement is subject to regulatory approval in Mexico and could face opposition from Aeroméxico, the main competitor of these low-cost carriers.
The potential merger comes amid some instability in the country’s aviation industry. In October, the U.S. Department of Transportation canceled plans for more than 13 routes to the United States for Mexican airlines.
RICO’s Q — What most intrigues those still undecided about who to vote for is that Laura Fernandez spent many years in the traditional parties—it was the golden age of the two-party system (Liberación and Unidad)—yet she never once called out any acts of corruption within those parties.
Doña Laura was always the loyal foot soldier, a woman who has climbed the ladder thanks to her close ties and was obedient to the politicians of those parties. In other words, she played the “good girl,” sticking close to anyone who could hand her a slice of power or a top job in some public office.
So it’s hardly shocking that she’s now Rodrigo Chaves’s pick.
Both Pilar Cisneros and Chaves know Laura follows orders without question and wouldn’t dream of speaking out against the two people who are still really her bosses, or the power behind her candidacy: Pilar Cisneros and Rodrigo Chaves
Who is Laura Fernández?
2006-2010: Advisor to Vice President Kevin Casas, in the Oscar Arias administration.
2010-2014: Advisor to Minister of Planning Roberto Gallardo in the Laura Chinchilla administration.
2014-2018: Advisor to Congressman Mario Redondo and congressional candidate for an evangelical party.
2020: Advisor to the Mayor of Cartago.
2021: Close associate of Eliécer Feinzaig during the 2022 political campaign.
2022-2024: As Minister of Planning and Minister of the Presidency, with more disappointment than success.
Laura never spearheaded a project of her own.
She has always lived in the shadow of politicians who are the power behind the throne.
Chaves and Pilar chose her because she doesn’t have a single idea of her own.
She doesn’t have her own vision. She’s a person who takes orders.
Costa Rica Approaches Pivotal 2026 Presidential Elections Amidst Social and Economic Challenges. The 2026 presidential campaign is shaping up to be one of the most contested in recent memory. Twenty candidates are running, each bringing distinct visions for Costa Rica’s future.
Central issues dominating the electoral debate include economic growth, public security, environmental sustainability, and access to healthcare and education. Public safety is a critical topic as crime rates, though comparatively moderate in the region, have seen fluctuations that unease many communities.
Eyes will also be on voter turnout. Historically high participation rates underscore Costa Ricans’ deep engagement with their democracy, a tradition that appears likely to continue as the nation navigates these critical choices.
With just weeks to go before the vote on Sunday, February 1, 2026, Costa Rica’s presidential race embodies more than a contest for leadership—it is a reflection of the nation’s resilience and aspirations in a changing world.
Q COSTARICA — Toronto’s streetcars bring the “Pura Vida” to Canadians this Christmas. A fleet of streetcars (trams) and immersive experiences invite Canadians to escape winter and plan vacations in Costa Rica during the holiday season.
The effort is to boost tourism promotion in Canada with a Christmas campaign that’s touring Toronto using streetcars, subways, and trains decorated with images of Costa Rica’s landscapes, wildlife, and biodiversity.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)—Costa Rica’s Tourism Board—to inspire Canadians to escape the winter and choose Costa Rica as their destination.
Currently, three streetcars are running on different routes in Toronto, with high visibility in areas of heavy traffic and thousands of daily passengers.
The campaign also includes three GoTrain units and a Subway Supertrain completely wrapped with the Essential Costa Rica branding.
The messages feature phrases like “The Land of Reconnection” and “Pura Vida Energy,” along with the official website visitcostarica.com.
In addition, Costa Rica is present at the Distillery District’s Christmas Village with the “Pura Vida Chocolate Experience.”
“We extend an open invitation to Canadians to escape the cold and visit Costa Rica on their next vacation,” stated Ireth Rodríguez of the ICT.
The activation recreates a tropical atmosphere with Costa Rican chocolate, augmented reality, themed food, and family-friendly spaces until January 5, 2026.
Canada is consolidating its position as the second-largest source of tourists to Costa Rica, behind the United States, with more than 219,000 visitors between January and November 2025.
Currently, four Canadian airlines—Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet, and the most recent Porter Airlines—have direct flights to Costa Rica from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Winnipeg.
Q COSTARICA — Consumer confidence in the economy rose again after a year without any gains. In November, the Confianza del Consumidor (ICC)—Consumer Confidence Index— reached 55.4 points on a scale of 0 to 100, an increase of 3.1 points, the first recorded since August of the previous year.
Although the indicator remains in a neutral perception zone, the increase marks a break from the stagnation observed for much of the year and demonstrates an improvement in the expectations of various sectors of the population.
The change is also reflected in the types of perceptions. The group of optimistic people grew to 37.5%, while the proportion of those who declare themselves pessimistic fell to 13.5%. The majority, however, continues to occupy an intermediate position, with 49% expressing neither a clearly positive nor a negative view.
The improvement was most pronounced among lower-income households with lower levels of education, as well as among women and people under 35 and over 50, groups where the rebound in confidence was most significant.
Factors such as year-end discounts, the influx of additional income, such as the Christmas bonus, and expectations surrounding the upcoming elections influenced this change in perception.
Personal expectations also improved: 63.1% of respondents believe their income will increase in the next 12 months, while the proportion anticipating a loss in their purchasing power fell to 22.7%, a reduction of 4.6 percentage points.
On the social front, pessimism also decreased, with a drop in the percentage of people expecting an increase in unemployment in the coming year and less concern about a potential rise in poverty, suggesting a perception of greater stability in the short term.
The study was prepared by the School of Statistics of the University of Costa Rica between November 3 and December 9, 2025, based on a survey applied to 703 people over 18 years of age, Costa Ricans and foreigners, who use mobile phones (cell phones) throughout the country.
Whoever travels in the back uses a Sig Sauer. Generally, the work is carried out by six teams distributed by shifts and zones
Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica is experiencing a gang war for territory that has driven up murders in the last three years.
Among the proposals put forward by the leading presidential candidates to address Costa Rica’s security crisis are large-scale police operations in dangerous neighborhoods, increased investment in education and culture, reforming the penal code to ensure dangerous criminals are imprisoned, and lifting constitutional guarantees if warranted.
With a little over six weeks until the presidential elections, it is clear that crime and homicides are the primary concern for the people in Costa Rica, especially given the record number of murders, the majority related to the turf war between drug gangs, reported in the last three years and
It makes sense that presidential candidates have put a lot of emphasis on tackling everyday crime, along with fighting drug traffickers and paid assassins.
This leads to an important question: which candidate offers the most effective solutions to reduce insecurity and lower the homicide rate?
The answer is not simple and will essentially depend on each candidate’s perspective, as the approaches to action can be overtly punitive, preventative, or even a combination of both.
For example, Laura Fernández, from the ruling party Pueblo Soberano, and Fabricio Alvarado, from Nueva República, are the only candidates who agree to lift constitutional guarantees, if necessary.
This would involve suspending freedom of movement, the right to privacy in the home, as well as in private documents and communications, the right to assembly, and the freedom to arrest without a warrant, large-scale operations, among others, in “the most dangerous areas”.
They favor a tough, no-nonsense stance on crime, advocating for more prisons and a bigger police force.
“As the future president of Costa Rica, I am prepared, in strictly necessary cases and if we see an escalation in contract killings and crimes related to organized crime, to request the Legislative Assembly to lift or suspend individual guarantees. This means that, if things get very bad, with police intelligence identifying the neighborhoods with the highest crime rates, we could lift guarantees, conduct operations, and take these criminals off the streets,” Fernández said in mid-October.
Different Approaches
These types of positions are rejected by other candidates, such as Álvaro Ramos of the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN). For their part, Ariel Robles of the Frente Amplio (FA) and Claudia Dobles of the Agenda Ciudadana emphasize that their proposals are firm but never prohibitive of constitutional freedoms and guarantees.
These candidates even advocate for promoting restorative justice and greater investment in education, culture, and sports, with the goal of steering young people away from the world of drugs.
For example, Robles calls for a comprehensive reform of the prison system toward effective rehabilitation, “with a human rights approach, avoiding overcrowding,” while Dobles proposes strengthening the Civic Centers for Peace and establishing “mandatory work and education programs for social reintegration.”
Finally, Juan Carlos Hidalgo, of the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), believes that Costa Rica is at a turning point and that, therefore, extraordinary measures are required, such as selling the state bank, the Banco de Costa Rica (BCR), to capitalize on the fight against crime and bringing in European police to patrol Costa Rica’s ports of export to Europe and thus seize drugs before they leave the country.
“The expenditure we have to make on security is enormous, and we don’t want to finance it with more taxes, but rather with extraordinary resources, through a trust fund created from the sale of the BCR. Criminal groups have already identified us as an ideal location for doing business, especially for re-exporting cocaine to Europe. If we don’t react now, the spiral of violence will continue,” the PUSC candidate concluded.
There are twenty presidential candidates for the elections on February 1. Although we can assume that all presidential candidates are aware that security is the country’s main problem before the elections, only the leading candidates have put concrete plans for government programs if elected, dedicating significant space to this issue.
The proposals by the leading candidates, listed in alphabetical order:
Fabricio Alvarado of the Nueva Republica
Apply a firm hand against crime, so that violent criminals are not at large.
Use states of emergency restrictively in conflict zones, with legislative authorization in exceptional cases.
Unify police forces under the Ministry of Public Security.
Increase the number of police officers by 1,000 per year.
Modernize the Operations Center with Artificial Intelligence (AI), facial recognition, drones, GPS, and video cameras.
Implement rigorous controls on the entry of people into the country by sea, air, and land.
Construct a mega high-security prison for the containment and segregation of violent criminals.
Implement mandatory work for inmates to support the institution.
Promote legal reforms to increase penalties against organized crime and contract killings.
Claudia Dobles of the Agenda Ciudadana
Implement a Comprehensive Policy involving the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.
Address drug addiction as a public health problem.
Construct new prison facilities.
Establish mandatory work and education programs for social reintegration.
Support legal reforms to block any method of illegal communication within prisons.
Laura Fernández of the Pueblo Soberano
Lifting or suspension of individual rights in dangerous neighborhoods if homicides and violence increase.
Reform the Penal Code to ensure that violent criminals are imprisoned.
Support the construction of the mega-prison.
Inmates must perform mandatory labor to compensate victims and cover the costs of the system.
Firm territorial control with a constant police presence.
Strengthening immigration control (immediate deportation of foreign criminals).
Structured social prevention programs for children and youth, including education, culture, and decent employment.
Reclaiming public spaces in partnership with municipalities, revitalizing neighborhoods with cultural and sporting activities.
Juan Carlos Hidalgo of the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC)
Sale of the BCR and BICSA to use the proceeds in the fight against drug trafficking.
Relaxing the fiscal rule to allow for more police equipment, technology, and training.
Increasing the Public Force by 6,500 police officers.
European police would be present in Moín to help curb contaminated exports.
Creation of a 24/7 National Cybersecurity Operations Center.
Reform of the Criminal Procedure Code to expedite trials and ensure the effective enforcement of sentences. Those who commit crimes will be held accountable.
Comprehensive prevention strategy to create opportunities for vulnerable youth, strengthen community safety, and promote a culture of peace.
Álvaro Ramos of the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN)
Large-scale operations in troubled neighborhoods, according to intelligence reports. Forty communities are targeted.
Hiring of 6,000 additional police officers over the four-year term.
Regaining territorial control in conflict zones.
Permanent operations at tourist destinations.
Reclaiming public spaces with a constant police presence.
Increased investment in education, culture, and sports to prevent violence.
Review of the changes made to the National Coast Guard Service.
Creation of a command and control center that leverages technology, communications, and citizen engagement.
Ariel Robles of the Frente Amplio
Dedicate at least 50% of the revenue from the corporate and casino taxes to preventative security programs.
Declare drug addiction a public health problem.
Professionalize all police forces with a civilian, human rights, and gender-sensitive approach. – Strengthening social investment programs (education, care, recreation) to prevent the recruitment of young people by organized crime.
Restoring lighting and improving the infrastructure of public spaces (parks, sports fields) to promote community enjoyment.
Comprehensive reform of the prison system toward effective rehabilitation, with a human rights approach, avoiding overcrowding.
RICO’s Q — Representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica held separate meetings with legislators from the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) caucus and an independent legislator, Luis Diego Vargas, according to reports from La Nacion, El Observador, and CRHoy.com.
The report indicates that the meetings took place in the days leading up to the legislative session in which a vote was held regarding the lifting of the immunity of President Rodrigo Chaves. According to several legislators, this issue was mentioned within a broader discussion. However, the embassy did not provide details about the content of the conversations.
The vote on Tuesday revealed that most PUSC legislators opposed lifting the president’s immunity, which meant the measure fell short, receiving just 34 votes instead of the 38 needed.
The U.S. Embassy press office stated, in response to an inquiry from El Observador: “U.S. diplomats meet regularly with a variety of Costa Rican government officials and non-governmental leaders to discuss many issues. We generally do not discuss the details of these meetings with the media.”
The meetings took place on December 10.
The Observer reported that it had access to the log of the meeting, where the main points of the meeting addressed the need to move forward on three legislative projects, including:
Regarding Bill 25.122 on extradition, the U.S. Embassy requested that the text be expanded to include money laundering, murders related to the activities covered by the bill, and international cybercrime.
As for Bill 24.860, which reforms the disciplinary regime of the Judiciary, they emphasized the need to strengthen measures against corruption and criminal infiltration.
They also thanked Representative Melina Ajoy for Bill 10796, which they considered important for protecting citizens on beaches.
However, none of the points discussed mentioned the issue of presidential immunity, only that the U.S. delegation expressed concern to the head of the PUSC party, Alejandro Pacheco Castro, about the consequences of potentially lifting presidential immunity.
The U.S. Embassy’s concern echoes that expressed by U.S. Representative Mario Díaz-Balart, who requested a meeting with the Costa Rican ambassador to the United States, Catalina Crespo, regarding the process of lifting the immunity of President Rodrigo Chaves.
Díaz-Balart, who chairs the subcommittee on providing foreign assistance to support democracy and is of Cuban descent, expressed his concern about what he believes is happening in Costa Rica.
“The possibility that a sitting president—in one of the most stable and consolidated democracies in the region—could be removed for political reasons through procedures whose constitutional basis is questionable raises serious concerns,” the Congressman stated on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
In an interview with a media outlet, Crespo said she was summoned to a hearing in the U.S. Congress, when in reality it was a meeting between her and Díaz-Balart.
Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister Arnoldo André Tinoco appeared before the Comisión de Relaciones Internacionales (legislative commission on International Relations) on December 10. Before the legislators, Tinoco defended Crespo’s actions, but emphasized that he did not endorse the statements made to the media.
Q COSTARICA — After several months of sustained decline, Costa Rican tourism is beginning to show clear signs of recovery.
November closed with a 12% increase in tourist arrivals by air, the country’s main gateway, a rebound that provides much-needed relief to a sector that has been struggling for much of the year.
According to data from the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)—Costa Rica’s Tourism Board, 247,387 tourists arrived in November, compared to 220,839 in the same month of 2014. This result follows the 5.3% growth reported in October, marking two consecutive months of reversal from the negative trend.
For Shirley Calvo, executive director of the Cámara Nacional de Turismo (Canatur)—the National Chamber of Tourism — November’s performance marks a turning point.
“At Canatur, we highly value the 12.2% growth in international arrivals by air during the past month of November. This rebound represents a significant relief for the sector, as it reduces the accumulated negative figures we had been experiencing throughout the year,” she noted.
Calvo emphasized that the result is even more significant considering the previous context.
“The country had been registering several consecutive months of decline in international tourism. The recovery in November, added to the 5.9% growth recorded in October, confirms two consecutive months of reversal of the negative trend, which generates positive expectations for the high season that is now beginning,” she added.
Despite the recent positive performance, the year-to-date figures continue to show a slight decrease. Between January and November 2025, air tourism fell by 0.4%.
The tourism sector is confident that the positive trend will continue, allowing it to close the year with favorable numbers.
“We hope this trend continues and allows us to close the year with positive figures, which is key for the stability of businesses, the jobs we generate, and the local economies that depend directly on this activity,” emphasized Calvo.
However, Calvo warned that 2025 has been a particularly complex year for national tourism, marked by structural factors that affect the country’s competitiveness. Among these, she highlighted the exchange rate, with the dollar at historically low levels, not seen in more than 20 years.
Q COSTARICA — For the second time this year, opposition lawmakers in Congress failed in their attempt to lift President Rodrigo Chaves’s immunity.
After several hours of debate, the legislators only managed 35 votes in favor, falling three short of the 38 votes needed.
As before, the Nueva República party, and some members of the Partido Unidad Social Cristina (PUSC), and the ruling Partido Progreso Social voted against the measure. Gilberth Jiménez and Carolina Delgado, former legislators from the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN), were among those who voted against it.
Meanwhile, the PLN, the Frente Amplio, the Partido Liberal Progresista, and the bloc of independent legislators voted in favor.
Despite the lack of votes, the legislative debate was fraught with harsh recriminations. For example, Rocío Alfaro of the Frente Amplio called the legislators who voted against the measure shameless, claiming they would surely be appointed to an ambassadorship or executive presidency in the next government if Laura Fernández wins. Meanwhile, Leslye Bojorges of the PUSC accused the PLN of protecting corrupt individuals, specifically referencing José María Figueres.
Similarly, Fabricio Alvarado of Nueva República suggested that some legislators lacked intelligence and morals, and Óscar Izquierdo of the PLN stated that some members of parliament were a disgrace to the teaching profession.
Immunity is a benefit granted to members of the Supreme Powers, allowing them to perform their duties without fear of legal repercussions.
The president was being investigated for the alleged crime of political belligerence, which essentially involves using public funds or engaging in political or electoral activities to favor a particular candidate or party.
At the end of September, legislators also failed to secure the 38 votes needed to lift Chaves’s immunity for the alleged crime of extortion, which is essentially a form of corruption involving supposedly offering a bribe to a third party in connection with a public contract.
After learning the result, Chaves called those who voted to lift his immunity “filibusters” and lamented the time and money wasted by Congress.
Lack of Unity in the Unidad
On this issue, the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) caucus once again demonstrated an internal fracture, with the legislators’ votes on lifting the immunity divided.
For example, Vanessa Castro stated that her obligation was to vote and that “true democrats stand firm.”
“I could have chosen to vote against it, but it’s not about the decision itself; it’s about respect for democracy and the individual’s freedom of choice. A democrat stands firm, even if the ground shakes,” Castro said.
Meanwhile, his colleague Leslye Bojorges pointed out that Chaves “is in the dock because he has stood up to the powerful elites.”
“They call him a pachuco (a derogatory term for a low-class person), because they can’t call him corrupt, because they can’t call him a thief, because they can’t call him a scoundrel. I don’t like the way they’re being called, but I prefer Rodrigo Chaves Robles as president to a corrupt, scoundrel, and thief like José María Figueres Olsen,” said Bojorges, while also recalling that the latter left the country for almost ten years.
In addition to Bojorges, Melina Ajoy, Horacio Alvarado, and María Marta Carballo voted against lifting the immunity.
Suspension of Leave
On the other hand, Sofía Guillén, a legislator from the Frente Amplio (FA), interrupted her maternity leave to attend the Legislative Assembly and vote in favor of lifting the president’s immunity.
During her speech, Guillén stated that she would have preferred to be at home with her two-month-old baby, but that her civic duty compelled her to go to Cuestas de Moras (Legislative House) to cast her vote.
Despite this, she lamented having to listen to speeches from members of the Nueva Republica party and the ruling party.
RICO’s Q — “Missed it by this much!” is the famous catchphrase from the bumbling secret agent Maxwell Smart (Agent 86), which can be aptly applied to the efforts of opposition legislators in their second attempt in less than three months to impeach Rodrigo Chaves.
In a vote without surprises, 35 legislators were in favor of removing his immunity, but the required 38 were not reached; three votes were needed to remove his immunity.
With no surprises and with the votes already determined, Congress decided not to remove his immunity despite the request from the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE)—Supreme Electoral Tribunal—following 15 complaints of political campaigning against Chaves.
After the presentation of the reports and the “formal debate”, the vote took place.
Those who supported lifting the immunity included the majority of the legislators of the Partido Liberacion Nacional (PLN), four legislators from the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), and the entire Frente Amplio caucus, including Sofía Guillén, who participated in the session despite being on maternity leave.
Also voting in favor were Partido Liberal Progresista (PLP) and independents Kattia Cambronero, Gloria Navas, Johana Obando, María Marta Padilla, Luis Diego Vargas, and Cynthia Córdoba, as well as Luz Mary Alpízar of the Progreso Social Democrático party.
Alejandra Larios, one of the three members of the special legislative commission, defended the majority report
The law stipulates that a minimum of 38 votes are required for the TSE’s request and the recommendation of the commission that analyzed the issue to be approved.
There were 21 votes against removing the president’s immunity and in favor of him, as previously reported. The ruling party was joined by Nueva República—which made the announcement last week—and also by five PUSC legislators, the same ones who had voted against it in the September process: Leslye Bojorges, Horacio Alvarado, Carlos Andrés Robles, Melina Ajoy, and María Marta Carballo.
Independent Gilberth Jiménez also voted against, as did Carolina Delgado of the PLN, who once again broke ranks with the party line.
Without Chaves
The session began at 1:15 p.m. with 50 of the 57 legislators present and the reading of the majority report, signed by Alejandra Larios and Rocío Alfaro.
Then, both legislators, as well as Daniel Vargas—the other member of the committee who presented a negative minority report—explained their reasons for the decision made before the formal debate began.
Costa Rica’s legislative assembly
Although there were rumors that President Rodrigo Chaves would attend the session, he ultimately did not show up, saying he hadn’t been informed about the session’s protocol. The Assembly disproved this by presenting the documents it had already sent to the presidential office.
As a result, the session was shortened by 30 minutes, and the formal debate began with the participation of the independent deputies, followed by each party speaking.
“Today, some legislators think they won; I tell them, they will be judged by history,” said Kattia Cambronero.
The discussion included both sides, those who voted in favor and those who voted against, in a deliberation that lasted approximately four hours.
Legislator Alejandra Larios questioned why no one mentioned the scope of the majority report, especially those who voted against it, suggesting it wasn’t in their best interest to do so, and defending the work they had done in the committee.
Q COSTARICA — If past performance is any indication, it seems the opposition will not have the 38 votes needed to remove President Rodrigo Chaves’s immunity this Tuesday afternoon, starting at 1:00 pm.
In fact, everything hinges on ‘no absences’ of legislators at today’s crucial session and, more importantly, on the nine Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) legislators voting in favor of stripping the president of his immunity.
Rodrigo Chaves is being investigated for the alleged crime of political belligerence, which essentially involves using public funds or holding political-electoral demonstrations to favor a particular candidate or party.
If his immunity is lifted, the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE)—Supreme Electoral Tribunal—can proceed with the 15 complaints it has filed on this matter and, if it finds him guilty, could remove him from office and bar him from holding public office for four years.
Immunity is a privilege granted to members of the highest branches of government, allowing them to exercise their duties without fear of prosecution.
Expectations
On September 22, five of the nine PUSC legislators voted against lifting immunity, leaving the opposition with only 34 of the 38 votes required. At that time, the issue was analyzed at the request of the Attorney General’s Office to proceed with a case of extortion, a corruption offense.
However, Leslye Bojorges, Melina Ajoy, Carlos Andrés Robles, María Marta Carballo, and Horacio Alvarado, all members of the PUSC, voted against the decision.
For today’s vote, the party has maintained a high level of secrecy, so its next steps are unknown.
Meanwhile, the Partido Liberacion Nacional (PLN), with the greatest majority, the Frente Amplio, the Partido Liberal Progresista party, and independent legislators are expected to vote to lift the immunity, totaling approximately 34 votes.
Finally, the six Partido Nueva República legislators have already indicated they will not vote in favor, and the support of government legislators, such as Pilar Cisneros, cannot be counted on either.
In total, the opposition holds 49 of the 57 legislative votes.
Chaves’ Warnings
Amid the unprecedented legislative process to determine whether or not to lift his immunity, President Rodrigo Chaves issued a message last week to the members of Congress who must decide his legal future before the parliamentary recess.
“There will be consequences, there will be condemnation for those who support the measure,” the president said.
What happens if the immunity isn’t lifted today?
In that scenario, the TSE will have to wait until Chaves loses his immunity on May 8, 2026, when his term ends, to continue the proceedings.
However, it’s not certain that this will happen on May 8, 2026, when Chaves hands over power.
This is because, in the event of a Laura Fernández win, the candidate Chaves is supporting and the root of the complaints filed against him, she could have the former president in her cabinet, and therefore, he would continue to enjoy immunity for up to four more years.
Q COSTARICA — The Italian Trade Promotion Agency (ITA), the official body for the promotion of Italian foreign trade, announces a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the presence of Italian culinary heritage in the Costa Rican market, promoting products with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG), and Geographical Indications (GI) for spirits.
This system, recognized as the most advanced in the world, guarantees authenticity, traceability, and superior quality, protecting tradition from imitations and counterfeits.
With nearly 900 registered designations in the European Union, Italy leads the European agri-food sector and represents more than one in five products with Geographical Indication in Europe.
These seals certify that each food or beverage comes from its original territory, preserving ancestral techniques and unique characteristics.
Among the most iconic products are Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, Italian wines, and spirits.
“Each certified product is a bridge between history and innovation. We want Costa Rican consumers to experience the authentic Made in Italy, with foods that not only guarantee quality but also convey culture, sustainability, and trust,” stated Alberto Colella, Italian Ambassador to Costa Rica.
This model not only protects cultural and gastronomic identity but also boosts the “PDO Economy,” which generates more than 19 billion euros in production value, contributing to the development of rural communities, the preservation of biodiversity, and environmental sustainability.
Italy invites Costa Rican consumers and distributors to check for PDO, PGI, TG, and GI seals on labels when purchasing Italian products, thus ensuring authenticity, traceability, and an unparalleled quality standard.
The Italian Trade Promotion Agency operates through a worldwide network of 69 offices and 18 Satellite offices in 74 countries.
Amazon is adding 2,500 people to its already 5,000 strong work force in Costa Rica. Requiremtns are second language, be it English, Portuguese, Italian and French
Q COSTARICA — The presence of foreign talent in Costa Rican companies continues to increase: sectors such as technology, tourism, manufacturing, and corporate services are increasingly turning to foreign professionals to meet specific needs.
However, the incorporation of foreign nationals into the national workforce requires strict compliance with immigration and labor regulations by both the employee and the employer. Ignoring these obligations can have significant economic and legal consequences.
The Ley General de Migración y Extranjería (General Law on Immigration and Foreigners) is clear: no foreigner may perform paid work in Costa Rica without an immigration status that expressly authorizes them to work.
This permit may be derived from: temporary residency through employment; temporary residency through marriage to a Costa Rican citizen; permanent residency; or authorizations granted to asylum seekers, among others.
It is essential to note that simply having an immigration process underway—including filing documents or obtaining an appointment—does not grant any authorization to begin work, with the exception of applications for temporary residency for employees, submitted through the window for companies registered with the immigration authority.
Once the employee has the appropriate immigration status, the company assumes several obligations; among the most important is enrolling the employee in the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) from the effective start of their employment. CCSS coverage is an essential requirement in any formal employment relationship.
Regarding occupational risks, the employer must also have a workers’ compensation insurance policy that covers their employees. This applies to both nationals and foreigners and ensures that the employee is protected against potential workplace accidents. The absence of this policy not only puts the employee at risk but can also result in significant financial liabilities for the company.
Document verification is another key aspect. Companies must ensure that foreign workers maintain their immigration status up to date and have all the necessary documents to support their employment and immigration status. It is also advisable to keep an internal record of expiration and renewal dates to prevent workers from accidentally falling into an irregular situation.
Hiring a foreign worker without a work permit carries serious risks.
Immigration law establishes fines ranging from two to twelve base salaries for employers who employ unauthorized individuals. Additionally, the immigration service (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería – DGME) could initiate administrative proceedings, request inspections, or even order the suspension of the foreign worker’s employment, as well as their deportation.
Hiring foreign workers is fully legal within the Costa Rican legal framework; however, it requires rigor.
Companies must be diligent, verifying immigration status before allowing the individual to begin work and constantly monitoring the corresponding permits and their expiration dates.
Proper management protects both the employee and the employer and ensures compliance with national regulations.
Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica has long been recognized in Central America as a country with a welcoming stance toward refugees, offering sanctuary to people fleeing violence and hardship in the region.
Over the past few years, Costa Rica has seen an influx of refugees fleeing crises in neighboring countries. One key aspect of this welcoming approach is the legal framework that governs whether refugees are allowed to work while rebuilding their lives within Costa Rican borders.
By law, refugees who receive official status in Costa Rica are granted the right to work legally in the country. This means they can seek employment, enter into contracts, and contribute economically without fear of legal repercussions or exploitation.
The legal basis for this right stems from Costa Rica’s commitment to international agreements, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, both of which emphasize the importance of allowing refugees to lead self-sufficient lives through lawful employment.
Practically speaking, this legal right allows refugees to access the labor market much like Costa Rican citizens. They are allowed to obtain work permits and are protected by the country’s labor laws. This legal protection is crucial in shielding refugees from informal or exploitative labor arrangements, which often trap displaced people in precarious conditions.
However, the reality of exercising this right can be complex. Despite legal protections, refugees sometimes face challenges such as language barriers, professional qualification recognition, and occasional social prejudice.
These factors can limit their job opportunities or push them into informal sectors of the economy. Government and non-governmental organizations have worked to create programs that offer training, language classes, and job placement assistance to help refugees overcome these hurdles.
Hiring refugees isn’t just a humanitarian move—it’s turning out to be a smart economic strategy. Many refugees bring valuable skills, diverse perspectives, and a strong work ethic. In industries ranging from agriculture to hospitality, refugees are filling labor gaps that locals find hard to cover.
Businesses, both big and small, have started opening their doors wider. Some companies offer training programs tailored to refugees, helping them adapt to Costa Rica’s work culture and language nuances. The result? Happier employees, more diverse workplaces, and a boost to the local economy.
In towns across the country, refugees are no longer just seen as newcomers—they are becoming neighbors, colleagues, and friends. This growing shift in perspective is reshaping what it means to build a community here.
In summary, refugees in Costa Rica have a legal right to work, backed by both national laws and international conventions. While challenges remain in practice, the framework ensures these individuals are recognized as workers and contributors, not just recipients of aid, marking Costa Rica as a leader in refugee rights in the region.
Migrantes permanecen en la Ciudad Hidalgo (México), en una fotografía de archivo. EFE/Luis Villalobos
Q24N (EFE)— The United States announced last Friday the termination of humanitarian immigration programs for family reunification for nationals of Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras, as well as for their immediate family members, citing abuses of these protections.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the end of Family Reunification Parole (FRP) for these seven countries.
As a result, immigrants protected by this program must leave the United States by mid-January if they lack any other legal alternative to remain in the country.
The Administration indicated that these programs were misused, allowing poorly vetted individuals to circumvent the traditional process for obtaining immigration protection.
According to the statement, FRP will revert to a case-by-case system, as established by Congress.
The measure, published in the Federal Register, seeks to reduce the risk of fraud and abuse and prioritize national and public security, the statement emphasized.
It explained that if an immigrant’s FRP benefit has not yet expired by January 14, it will end on that date.
This does not apply if they have an application for permanent residence filed before December 15, 2025, that is still pending on January 14. 2026.
If the application is denied, the benefit period will be revoked, and the immigrant must leave the country immediately.
DHS also reported that termination of the program will result in the revocation of the associated employment authorization. Those affected will be notified individually.
Those who do not have legal status to remain in the United States after the programs end must leave before the termination date and can use the CBP Home app to report their departure.
The government indicated that it will offer incentives such as financial assistance, help with travel documents, and waivers of civil fines to those who qualify.
Q COSTARICA — The Cámara de Industrias de Costa Rica (CICR)—Costa Rican Chamber of Industries, endorsed the rate reduction approved by the regulator of public services, the Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (ARESEP, for 2026, after confirming that the regulator’s estimates regarding the Variable Generation Cost (VGC) are not only technically correct, but also supported by operational evidence from the National Electric System (SEN) and are important for strengthening the country’s competitiveness.
According to the rate analysis, the VGC for 2026 totals -¢34.274 billion, which translates into significant reductions in final rates for all users in the country. These reductions are primarily due to the lower thermal generation required for next year, as determined by ARESEP after applying the current methodology and verifying the actual availability of renewable energy sources, fuel prices, and the historical performance of the electricity system.
“At a time when businesses are facing increasing pressure from exchange rates, high social security contributions, insecurity, deficient infrastructure, and global uncertainty, a technically sound tariff reduction is a positive sign for investment, job creation, and the business climate. ARESEP’s decision confirms the importance of technical rigor and strictly applying the methodology to protect consumers and strengthen the country’s competitiveness,” said Sergio Capón Brenes, president of the Costa Rican Chamber of Industries.
The approved tariff reductions, which will benefit households, businesses, and industries alike, range from -4.95% for end consumers to -20.4% for direct users.
The CICR supports ARESEP because the thermal generation estimate presented by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) does not reflect the actual needs of the National Electric System. ICE projected 716.8 GWh of thermal generation for 2026, while ARESEP, applying the current methodology and considering the actual availability of renewable resources and historical dispatch patterns, estimated only 290 GWh, a difference of -59.5% that would have generated more than ¢23 billion in avoidable costs.
The CICR recalled that ARESEP recently ratified several points raised by the industrial sector regarding ICE’s standard tariff (which does not include the CVG [a specific charge for gas, electricity, and gas]), identifying unjustified increases in operating and maintenance items, salaries, administrative expenses, R&D, and new positions. At that time, in line with the recommendations of the Costa Rican Chamber of Industries (CICR) (see CICR statement), the regulator adjusted macroeconomic assumptions and revised tariff calculations, resulting in a very different amount than the one originally proposed by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE).
These corrections provide relief for consumers and established a technical precedent that is once again reflected in the current CVG estimate, preventing the transfer of non-essential costs or overestimations of thermal generation to consumers.
The Costa Rican Chamber of Industries reiterates its commitment to continue working diligently and consistently to promote a better business climate, advocating for regulatory decisions that strengthen the country’s competitiveness. We will continue to work, with technical rigor and a long-term vision, to create conditions that allow companies to grow, invest, and generate more and better jobs for all Costa Ricans.
Q COSTARICA — Guanacaste Airport, in Liberia (LIR), celebrated the inauguration of WestJet’s direct flight, carrying 153 passengers from Vancouver International Airport (YVR), marking a new step in the expansion of air connectivity between Canada and Costa Rica.
The Vancouver–Guanacaste (YVR–LIR) route will operate every Friday until April 24, 2026. According to the schedule, the flight arrives in Guanacaste at 9:21 a.m. and departs at 10:30 a.m.
“The launch of service between Vancouver and Guanacaste reaffirms WestJet’s commitment to providing Canadians with more opportunities to discover the beauty of Costa Rica. By connecting Canada’s west coast with one of the country’s most attractive destinations, we are proud to be the Canadian airline offering the most direct routes to Guanacaste, facilitating more comfortable and accessible travel for our customers,” said Mike Perkins, WestJet’s Senior Director of Airport Affairs.
This new service strengthens the connection with Canada’s west coast.
WestJet now becomes the Canadian airline with the most direct routes to Guanacaste, including Toronto (YYZ), Calgary (YYC), Montreal (YUL), Vancouver (YVR), and soon, Winnipeg (YWR).
“Every time a new route lands in Guanacaste, it’s not just a plane that arrives: it’s a conversation that continues to grow between communities, travelers, and regions. Connecting Vancouver with Guanacaste opens a bridge that unites two very different coasts, but which share a similar way of seeing the world: with an appreciation for nature, for adventure, and for authentic encounters. We thank WestJet for opening this new section of that bridge. These connections expand opportunities for the region and allow more people to experience the country with the tranquility and depth that characterize Guanacaste,” said Costa Rica’s Minister of Tourism, William Rodríguez.
“This achievement reflects the consolidation of our efforts to attract new routes that we have promoted at Guanacaste Airport. The confidence our destination inspires positions us as the main gateway to the North Pacific of Costa Rica for Canadian travelers. These operations strengthen tourism, boost the local economy, and reinforce Guanacaste’s position as a sustainable, adventure, and wellness destination,” stated César Jaramillo, General Manager of the Guanacaste Airport.
