Q COSTARICA — Nearly three decades after transforming tourism in the country, Treetopia Park, in Monteverde, is once again marking a milestone in the industry with the launch of “The Glass Bridge,” Costa Rica’s first glass suspension bridge.
In March 1997, the park opened its doors with the Sky Walk, introducing the first suspension bridges in the cloud forest. This innovation not only redefined how to explore the forest but also positioned Monteverde as a unique tourist destination worldwide.
Twenty-nine years later, and true to the innovative spirit that has characterized the company since its inception, Treetopia Park takes another evolutionary step with an unprecedented offering in the country: an experience that combines adrenaline, nature, and a completely different perspective of the forest.
“The Glass Bridge” is 42 meters long and reaches heights of up to 20 meters above the cloud forest floor. Its surface is composed of 54 transparent glass panels, 20 mm thick, designed for structural applications and with a load-bearing capacity exceeding 1,000 kg/m². These panels are designed to offer an immersive and safe experience, allowing visitors to literally walk above the forest.
As part of this innovative process, the project involved the complete renovation of an existing structure, which was redesigned and almost entirely rebuilt based on a comprehensive structural analysis. This significantly optimized its safety, performance, and aesthetics.
The structure is suspended by two main cables, 1 inch in diameter, which form the supporting system, and weighs approximately 3 tons, excluding towers and anchorages.
All components of the bridge are brand new and incorporate high-quality materials, including extensive use of stainless steel, ensuring greater durability and optimal performance in demanding environmental conditions such as those found in the cloud forest.
The design and construction comply with international standard ANSI ACCT 03-2019, as well as current Costa Rican national construction regulations, ensuring high standards of safety, construction quality, and operation.
The project represented an investment of US$400,000, and its engineering and design were developed by the Treetopia Park team itself, reflecting the company’s in-house capacity for innovation and execution.
The new bridge is part of the Sky Walk route and is therefore included in the regular park experience at no additional cost, allowing all visitors to enjoy this new attraction.
Beyond this innovation, Treetopia offers one of the most comprehensive adventure experiences in Costa Rica. The park features the only cable car in the area, which provides a panoramic ascent over the cloud forest, as well as the longest suspension bridge in Monteverde, with an impressive length of 236 meters.
Its renowned canopy tour, Sky Trek, is considered one of the safest in the country, standing out because it doesn’t require visitors to manually brake, significantly raising the standards of safety and comfort.
Additionally, Treetopia Park offers Arboreal, a high-altitude challenge circuit that includes experiences such as cable biking, Tibetan bridges, tree climbing, and the thrilling Tarzan Swing, designed for those seeking an active and interactive adventure in the forest.
These experiences are conducted under strict protocols, solidifying Treetopia’s position as one of the safest adventure parks in Costa Rica, where innovation and safety go hand in hand.
With this launch, Treetopia reaffirms its vision of evolving adventure tourism in Costa Rica, remaining at the forefront of experiences that connect people with nature in innovative ways.
Furthermore, the company extends a special invitation to the national and international public to visit the park during the upcoming Easter holidays and be among the first to experience this unique new adventure in the country.
Project Specifications
Total Length: 42 m
Maximum Height: 20 m
Glass Panels: 54
Glass Thickness: 20 mm
Load Capacity: +1,000 kg/m²
Structural System: 1” Main Cables
Approximate Weight of Structure: 3 tons
Materials: Stainless steel and specialized structural glass
Standards: ANSI ACCT 03-2019 + Costa Rican Building Code
Q COSTARICA — HEINEKEN Costa Rica will be the name of the company’s new operation following the integration of the beverage, food, and retail operations acquired from Florida Ice and Farm Company (FIFCO) on January 30, 2026.
With the official unveiling of the new name and logo, a new chapter in its presence in Central America is consolidated, reinforcing the group’s regional strategy and expanding its global geographic footprint.
HEINEKEN Costa Rica comprises more than 4,600 employees, 4 manufacturing plants, 13 distribution centers, and over 50 prestigious brands, including Imperial, Tropical, Pilsen, Bavaria, Ducal, the traditional HEINEKEN portfolio, as well as the Musi and Musmanni stores, among others.
HEINEKEN Costa Rica maintains its robust sustainability agenda and philosophy, which is integrated with HEINEKEN’s global agenda and commitments regarding water conservation, carbon emission reduction, circularity, diversity, equity and inclusion, and the promotion of moderate alcohol consumption.
The announcement featured HEINEKEN’s global CEO, Dolf van den Brink, who emphasized: “This is a significant moment for HEINEKEN. The integration of the Costa Rican operation and its regional platform marks the beginning of a new chapter for our presence in Central America. We are excited to build the future of the business in the region together, connecting the strength of our global brands with the talent and potential of this market, inspired by its robust sustainability agenda and deep, unparalleled market knowledge.”
Alex Carreteiro, President of HEINEKEN Americas, added: “The integration of these operations strengthens our regional platform and will allow us to accelerate commercial execution, expand our portfolio with powerful brands—in both beer and flavored alcoholic beverages, as well as functional and refreshing drinks—and increase our competitiveness. HEINEKEN Costa Rica is key to continued sustainable and innovative growth in Central America, with a vision aligned across the region and a truly unmatched consumer reach model.”
In this new phase, Rolando Carvajal Bravo will continue to lead operations as General Manager of HEINEKEN Costa Rica, ensuring stability, continuity, and integration based on his deep understanding of the local market and the legacy of sustainability built by the team in Costa Rica. HEINEKEN Costa Rica will maintain its current services and operate as usual.
Q COSTARICA — With just a few days left in the third month of the year, the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ)—Costa Rica’s Judicial Police, highlighted the reduction in homicides between January and March, indicating that the wave of violence is finally subsiding.
In fact, depending on how crime rates behave, the country could see between 693 and 765 homicides in 2026, according to Michael Soto, deputy director of the OIJ.
Currently, the average number of murders ranges between 1.9 and 2.1 per day.
However, the good news is that, regardless of the daily average, this scenario would represent the lowest figure for the entire administration of Rodrigo Chaves (2022-2026), who has been dealing with record numbers in this area since 2023, when 905 cases were recorded, followed by 876 in 2024 and 873 last year.
To date, all provinces, except Cartago, have reported a reduction in criminal cases.
“Our sincerest thanks to the Ministry of Public Security and the municipal police forces for their invaluable support in the work carried out with the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), as well as for their commitment and constant effort in containing violence in the country. Their collaboration has been fundamental in strengthening inter-institutional work and advancing together in protecting citizen security,” said Soto.
Although the figures are encouraging and suggest progress is being made, Mario Zamora, head of Public Security, emphasizes that it is still too early to draw conclusions and make projections; he even urges caution.
Comparing the first three months of 2025 and 2026 (to March 20, 2026), 28 fewer cases were reported, with all provinces except Cartago reporting fewer cases.
Q COSTARICA — This year, Semana Santa or Holy Week in Costa Rica will be celebrated from Sunday, March 29th to Sunday, April 5th.
This time of year is one of the most important times for the country’s tourism and Christian religious customs, deeply rooted in Costa Rica’s national calendar, marked by a mass exodus of people leaving the cities to head toward the coasts and mountain retreats.
The week kicks off with Palm Sunday, where locals carry woven palm fronds to church, commemorating Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem. Throughout the week, you’ll witness processions that snake through towns and cities, featuring participants dressed as biblical characters, carrying statues and reenacting scenes from Christ’s passion. These events are not just performances; they are heartfelt expressions of faith passed down through generations.
In addition to the religious observances, Semana Santa is also a time for families to gather. Many take advantage of the public holidays to travel, often heading to the coast or the mountains. Beaches fill up with locals and tourists alike, mixing relaxation with the spiritual spirit of the week.
Vehicular restrictions of San José
Due to the drastic reduction in traffic by the absence of schoolchildren and public sector workers, traffic authorities announced the suspension of the vehicle restrictions in San José throughout Semana Santa (Holy Week).
At the same time, authorities will reinforce roadside checkpoints and patrols of vacation areas to try to mitigate traffic accidents.
The measure will apply specifically during the five days of Semana Santa, from Monday, March 30, to Friday, April 3. The restrictions will resume on Monday, April 6, during its usual hours of 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., for license plates ending in 1 or 2.
The Director of the Policia de Transito (Traffic Police), Martín Sánchez Agüero, explained that maintaining the restrictions under these conditions is unnecessary, since the regulated area—which includes the Circunvalación (except for the northern section) and the internal roads within that perimeter—experiences a considerable drop in traffic.
“The closure of public offices and the mass exodus of people to vacation destinations make it pointless to maintain the measure. Rather, this allows us to redirect human resources to reinforce surveillance on national highways and on routes into and out of the Central Valley,” the official stated.
Sánchez also noted that this operational reorganization will facilitate the handling of special operations related to religious activities during Semana Santa, when pedestrian traffic and the need for traffic control typically increase.
Key Dates and Holidays for Semana Santa
According to the Ministry of Labor (MTSS), only two days are mandatory paid holidays in 2026:
April 2: Holy Thursday (Mandatory paid holiday).
April 3: Good Friday (Mandatory paid holiday).
It is important to note that April 11 (Juan Santamaría Day) is also a mandatory paid holiday and falls on the Saturday following Semana Santa.
Traditions and Gastronomy
Religious celebrations are the heart of the week. Cities such as Cartago, San José, Heredia, and Alajuela hold solemn processions that reenact the Passion of Christ, highlighting the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.
It is traditional to consume dishes made with chiverre (in honey, empanadas, or cajetas) and fish to avoid red meat. Seafood dishes like shrimp rice and ceviche are very popular.
Although the restriction on alcohol sales (Dry Law) has decreased in recent years, some municipalities may still enforce it, especially on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
Impact on Travel and Services
If you plan to travel during these dates, consider the following recommendations:
High hotel occupancy is expected, with increased demand in Guanacaste and nature destinations. Book in advance
Major roads to the Pacific, i.e., Ruta 27, Ruta 34, and Ruta 32 to the Caribbean coasts experience extreme congestion, especially starting on Wednesday and on the return journey on Sunday
Banks and government offices usually close from Wednesday at noon until the following Monday.
Small businesses and professional offices, i.e., doctors, dentists, lawyers, may close the entire week. Call ahead to
Public transport schedules are usually affected on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
Q COSTARICA — The historic extradition of the first two Costa Ricans to the United States last Friday, to face justice for international drug trafficking, has demonstrated that Costa Rica is no longer “a haven for organized crime.”
Several political figures celebrated the departure from the country of Celso Gamboa and Edwin López, who are wanted in the United States for international drug trafficking.
“What we are seeing today is not by chance; it is the result of a law passed by Congress to restore order. Costa Rica is no longer a haven for organized crime or drug trafficking,” said Óscar Izquierdo, head of the legislative faction of the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN).
The transfer of Gamboa and López was carried out on a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) plane, marking a milestone in Costa Rica’s judicial history, as it is the first time a Costa Rican of such high political and judicial profile has been sent to another country to face drug trafficking charges.
Gamboa’s stature is significant. For years, his name was linked to the highest echelons of power in Costa Rica.
He held virtually every position he desired within the state apparatus, from deputy prosecutor in several provinces to vice minister, minister of security, and finally, magistrate of the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court.
At certain points in his career, he was even seen as a potential presidential candidate, which makes his downfall all the more shocking.
“The extradition of the first two Costa Ricans marks a historic milestone in the fight against organized crime. It demonstrates that when there is international cooperation and effective coordination among law enforcement agencies, the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches are in place, it is possible to deliver decisive blows to criminal structures. The fight against organized crime must continue on multiple fronts, with firmness and perseverance, to confront the high levels of crime and violence that currently plague our country. This will be our commitment from the Legislative Assembly,” said legislator-elect for the Agenda Ciudadana party and former first lady of Costa Rica, Claudia Dobles.
Reclaiming Pura Vida
Costa Rica’s reputation as a haven for organized crime is crumbling. Once seen as a peaceful sanctuary in Central America, the country now faces mounting challenges from drug trafficking networks, money laundering, and criminal gangs that have found fertile ground within its borders.
For years, Costa Rica’s stable democracy, robust tourism industry, and strong environmental policies painted a picture of tranquility. But beneath the surface, criminal organizations quietly expanded their operations, exploiting the country’s strategic location and relatively lax law enforcement.
Cartels from South America have increasingly used the country as a transit point to ship cocaine and other narcotics to markets in North America and beyond. The rise in these activities has drawn the attention of international agencies and prompted a crackdown by local authorities.
Money laundering has also become a major concern. Criminal groups are funneling illicit funds through Costa Rica’s banking and real estate sectors, taking advantage of gaps in regulatory oversight. This influx of dirty money has distorted local markets and made it harder for law enforcement to trace criminal finances.
The transformation of Costa Rica from a perceived safe zone to a hotspot for organized crime underscores the complex challenges facing the region. It is a stark reminder that no country, no matter how peaceful it seems, is immune to the reach of global criminal enterprises.
As Costa Rica grapples with these new realities, the world watches closely to see whether it can reclaim its image as a beacon of safety or be drawn deeper into the shadows of organized crime.
Q COSTARICA — After being extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking charges, President Rodrigo Chaves hopes that the former politician, lawyer, former Minister of Security, former magistrate of the Third Chamber of the Judicial Branch, and alleged drug trafficker, extradited to the United States, will expose other politicians, officials, and former officials linked to organized crime.
Chaves even remarked that Gamboa is a better singer than tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
“Thank God we managed Celso and ‘Pecho de Rata’ (referring to Edwin López, the second Costa Rican to be extradited) out of our country. They say not even Pavarotti sings as beautifully as that man (Celso) will… And what about the minister at the time and the head of the coast guard? Costa Ricans should be concerned, because if an international drug trafficker emerged from the Third Chamber, starting to traffic drugs while serving as a magistrate on the highest criminal court in our country, then what else could be lurking there?” the president stated during his tour of Guanacaste.
The president’s remarks come in the context of the recent extradition of Gamboa and Edwin López to the United States, wanted on charges related to international drug trafficking.
Gamboa, once seen by political insiders as a potential presidential candidate, said in a recent interview that he plans to disclose corruption and political interference to U.S. authorities.
US authorities accuse Gamboa of being one of Costa Rica’s main drug traffickers and of facilitating the shipment of cocaine worth tens of millions of dollars from Colombia to the US via Costa Rica.
Last Friday marked the first extradition of Costa Rican citizens at the request of the United States government, a significant milestone in the fight against international drug trafficking.
“For years, we have been able to identify how Costa Rican and naturalized citizens linked to these criminal activities used our nationality as a means to evade international justice,” stated Costa Rica’s Attorney General Carlo Díaz, who added that Costa Rica is sending “a clear and forceful message” that “no one can use our nationality as a shield to evade justice.”
In May 2025, the Costa Rican Legislature approved a constitutional reform to allow the extradition of nationals, only for drug trafficking and terrorism offenses.
Q COSTARICA — It was 8:53 am when the Beechcraft Super King Air 350 took off from the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José (SJO), with the two extraditables, Celso Gamboa Sanchez and Edwin Lopez Vega, the first two Costa Ricans to be extradited to the United States on international drug trafficking charges.
At 4:45 a.m., the two men began their transfer from La Reforma prison. Under tight security, they were moved in under seven minutes to Base 2 at the airport, where they underwent the handover protocols to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents for the flight to Texas.
The historic event was televised live from start to finish.
This was an unprecedented event that shook the institutional foundations of Costa Rica and should embarrass the political class and law enforcement authorities.
The official handover, with the symbolic exchange of handcuffs, took place at 8:35 a.m. after four hours of proceedings. From this moment on, Gamboa’s legal fate depends on the judicial authorities of the United States, not Costa Rica.
The transfer was carried out on a DEA plane, marking a milestone in Costa Rica’s judicial history, as it is the first time a Costa Rican, in particular of such high political and judicial profile, has been sent to another country to face justice for drug trafficking.
Edwin López Vega, alias “Pecho de Rata” (Rat’s Chest), is notable for being the second person extradited in an operation that highlights increasing global efforts to combat the rise of organized crime in the region.
The extradition was carried out after a major security operation that included snipers, helicopters, two armored vehicles (known as “Beasts“) donated by the U.S. in 2018, and more than 100 national and international agents.
The trip from La Reforma to the San Jose airport took 7 minutes
Gamboa’s figure is not insignificant. For years, his name was linked to the highest spheres of power in Costa Rica.
He held virtually every position he wanted within the state apparatus, from deputy prosecutor in several provinces to deputy minister, Minister of Security, director of Costa Rica’s intelligence service, and, finally, magistrate of the Supreme Court.
At certain points in his career, he was even seen as a potential presidential candidate, which makes his fall from grace all the more shocking.
His career includes stints in the administrations of Laura Chinchilla (2010-2014) and Luis Guillermo Solís (2014-2018), as well as his appointment as a magistrate in 2016 by the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica.
Gamboa’s downfall began years ago when his name surfaced in connection with the Cementazo scandal. In 2017, he was suspended and subsequently, in 2018, removed from his position as a magistrate.
However, what at the time seemed like a case of administrative corruption has now escalated to a much more serious scenario: international accusations of drug trafficking.
In this case, DEA agents made contact with Gamboa, and he agreed to allegedly bring drugs into the United States through Costa Rica, claiming that he had contacts at all levels.
Constitutional Reform
The historic extradition of Gamboa and Lopez was made possible by a constitutional reform approved by the current government in May 2025, which was championed in the Legislative Assembly by Pilar Cisneros.
Previously, the extradition of foreigners wanted in other countries was permitted, but not that of Costa Rican citizens.
With this change, it is now possible to extradite Costa Rican nationals to face justice in other countries.
The only conditions imposed by the authorities are that the prison sentence not exceed 50 years, in accordance with the limits established by Costa Rican law, and that they not be subjected to inhumane treatment.
The extradition of Gamboa and Lopez was finalized after a nine-month legal process. Facing the same fate are some 20 other Costa Ricans currently in judicial custody.
Q COSTARICA — The Cuban government has declared it will permit Cuban citizens living overseas to invest in and own businesses back home, including starting private companies and forming partnerships with state-owned firms.
Cuba said on Monday the “doors are open” to a community that has traditionally agitated for harsh economic sanctions against the communist government, Reuters reported. “There are no limitations,” Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga, who also heads the foreign commerce ministry, told state television in an interview.
Perez-Oliva Fraga said Cuba needs desperately to revive the island’s shattered economy, a crisis deepened by a U.S. oil blockade and sanctions that have caused long power outages and shortages of fuel, food, and medicine.
The policy change shows a new willingness just days after Cuba confirmed it had started discussions with the United States. Meanwhile, officials from the Trump administration have privately indicated that the U.S. aims for economic openings as part of any future bilateral deal.
Letting exiles invest in Cuban businesses is a delicate topic for Cuba, which has long been wary of a hostile faction within the exile community. Historically, exiles have been strong supporters of maintaining the trade embargo.
Since 2021, Cubans living on the island have been permitted to open and run private businesses, but those living abroad were left out.
Paolo Spadoni, an economist at Augusta University and author of the 2014 book “Cuba’s Socialist Economy Today,” described the move as “pragmatic,” yet argued Cuba should have acted years ago on its own instead of waiting until facing intense pressure from the U.S.
“This shift could spark deeper economic ties between the U.S. and Cuba, offering major opportunities for American companies despite ongoing challenges,” Spadoni noted. “Still, it marks an important and potentially impactful first step.”
Q COSTARICA — After asserting that America must be cleansed of communism and that Cubans should be free and live in prosperity, not under a regime of terror and suffering, the government of Rodrigo Chaves announced on Wednesday the closure of its embassy in Cuba and the severing of diplomatic relations.
The president stated that communism is a failed system and that, in the case of Cuba, it has lived by parasitizing other countries, regardless of the immense suffering of its citizens.
The president asked the communist regime to withdraw its diplomats from Costa Rica, but requested that only a consulate remain to assist the thousands of Cuban refugees living in Costa Rica.
In this regard, Chaves emphasized that the current crisis in Cuba, where its citizens suffer from shortages of food, medicine, and basic services, is unacceptable, and therefore, Costa Rica has made the decision to break with Cuba.
“We do not recognize the legitimacy of that Cuban government. The foreign minister said it very nicely. I say it differently: take your diplomats with you. If you want to leave consulate officials here, welcome. We won’t have a consulate there; we’ll serve you from Panama. (…) The Americans say, ‘Enough is enough.’ Since 1959, the regime has been a parasite on other countries and has caused enormous suffering to their people. Do you know what’s happening there? Another huge crisis, and today they must recognize that the communist model has failed in Cuba, as it has failed everywhere it has been implemented. Only human freedom can lead to progress,” Chaves said.
Cuba Denounces US Pressure After Costa Rica’s Decision
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba issued a statement rejecting the Costa Rican government’s decision to close its embassy in Havana and reduce bilateral relations to the consular level.
According to the Cuban Foreign Ministry, on March 17, the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified Cuba, via diplomatic note and without offering any justification, of the unilateral closure of its diplomatic mission in Cuba. Furthermore, it requested that Cuba withdraw its diplomatic personnel from San José, allowing only consular and administrative staff to remain.
In its statement, Cuba described the measure as arbitrary and asserted that it was adopted under pressure from the United States, without considering the interests of either nation. The Cuban Foreign Ministry also rejected statements by Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves, whom it accused of manipulating the Cuban reality to justify the decision.
The Cuban Foreign Ministry also indicated that this action is part of what it considers a policy of aligning Costa Rica with U.S. interests to isolate Cuba.
Finally, the statement emphasizes that, despite diplomatic tensions, the historical ties between the people of Cuba and Costa Rica will remain strong.
Q COSTARICA — Legislator Rocío Alfaro, head of the Frente Amplio (FA) legislative faction, called President Rodrigo Chaves a “lapdog” for announcing at Wednesday’s press conference that Costa Rica will sever diplomatic relations with Cuba.
Without directly mentioning President Rodrigo Chaves or his US counterpart, Donald Trump, Alfaro criticized what she described as a form of subordination that, from her perspective, mediated the closure of the Costa Rican embassy in Cuba and the request for a partial withdrawal of Cuba’s personnel from Costa Rica.
“Today, a man who fancied himself a jaguar was reduced to a lapdog, from president to international ridicule. He had already demonstrated this with his foolish and groveling attitude of offering our sovereignty in a military alliance, which, given that we don’t have an army, means he has offered the occupation of our territory by foreign forces. Something worthy of a medal of dishonor, a medal of treason, which could be called, I don’t know, the William Walker Medal.
“Today, the king of pedophiles and racists has ordered this government to break diplomatic relations with Cuba because the disrespect for human rights in Cuba has increased. One thing must be very clear: the main violator of human rights in Cuba is the United States,” the congresswoman stated during the political oversight session of the Legislative Assembly.
Alfaro questioned the Chaves government’s actions on this issue, given that “the main violator of human rights in Cuba is the United States,” referring to the maintenance of a trade embargo to pressure the Havana regime, “in order to sell the idea that Cuba has a failed model,” she said.
Alfaro recalled that the United Nations General Assembly has repeatedly condemned the US embargo against Cuba, yet this has had no effect.
“Cuba is subjected to the largest and longest-running criminal blockade in history by the United States, in order to sell the world the idea that Cuba has a failed model, after preventing it from achieving the sovereign development to which every nation is entitled.
“This is how they have now intensified measures to try to provoke a genocide, which this government gleefully supports. What bothers them about Cuba is the dignity of its people. We, on the other hand, have a lapdog in Zapote (Casa Presidencial),” the legislator pointed out.
Legislator Rocío Alfaro, head of the Frente Amplio (FA) legislative faction
Chávez has specifically attacked the communist model implemented in Cuba and called for its failure to be acknowledged. The president also advocated for “cleansing the hemisphere” of leaders who subscribe to that ideology.
The severing of diplomatic relations comes at a time when the United States—with which the current administration is a close ally—is pressuring the regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel to allow free-market reforms.
Q COSTARICA — brish Airways confirmed it will increase its flights to Costa Rica from three to five weekly frequencies starting in October 2026. The increase will be in effect until March 2027, during the European winter season.
The flights will arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José (SJO) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as part of the newly announced schedule. The airline also announced that it will relocate its operations from Gatwick Airport to Heathrow Airport, London’s main airport.
This change will allow for increased air cargo capacity between Costa Rica and various destinations in Europe.
The Minister of Tourism, William Rodríguez, noted that negotiations with the airline lasted approximately two years.
He indicated that the increased frequencies represent more available seats and an expected increase in the number of British travelers.
Rodríguez added that the new schedule will facilitate connections from various European cities and throughout the United Kingdom.
The official stated that this announcement strengthens Costa Rica’s position in the British and European markets.
British Airways specified that the flights will depart London at 11:10 ama.m. and arrive in Costa Rica at 4:40 pm; The return flight will depart at 6:55 pm and land the following day at Heathrow at 11:05 pm. All times local.
The operation will be carried out using 787-800 aircraft, with a capacity for 204 passengers in different classes: 31 seats in Business Class, 37 in Preferred Economy, and 136 in Economy Class.
Recent data from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) ranks the United Kingdom as the third largest source of European tourists to Costa Rica, behind the United States and Canada.
Q COSTARICA — The deadline for paying the annual Income Tax in Costa Rica for most individuals and corporations, which was March 16, 2026, drove the dollar exchange rate to a new all-time low on the Mercado de Monedas Extranjeras (MONEX) — Foreign Exchange Market.
This is compounded by the surge in tourism during peak season.
By the end of trading on Tuesday, March 17, the dollar had dropped to ¢468.58 on the Monex, marking its lowest level in approximately two decades, in November 2006 when the Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) — Central Bank launched the Monex
To prevent a further decline, on Tuesday, the Central Bank stepped in and bought about $27.54 million.
This situation is directly related to the Income Tax deadline for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (PYMES in Spanish), as well as independent professionals and individuals and legal entities (corporations) engaged in for-profit activities.
This prompted some companies, especially multinationals, to bring more dollars into the country to meet their tax obligations.
On the other hand, tourism reports a 10% growth in the first months of the year, which also injects more dollars into the economy.
In addition to high foreign currency inflows, the dollar exchange is also affected by the government’s heavy use of external financing since 2023, which has increased the supply of dollars, contributing to the pressure forcing the U.S. currency down; and the “Super Colón” phenomenon, referring to the significant and sustained appreciation of the Costa Rican colón (CRC) against the US dollar, a trend that accelerated through 2024 and 2025 and continued into 2026.
This strengthening of the local currency has made it one of the strongest in the region, drawing comparisons to Switzerland due to its unusual stability and rising value despite global trends.
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Q COSTARICA — Far from being upset by the revocation of his U.S. visa, Fernando Cruz, a magistrate of Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court or Sala IV, stated that “it is an honor that the Donald Trump administration” has revoked his visa.
The news was released Tuesday night.
“I consider it a distinction. For a government like the United States, which has become even more aggressive and bellicose than it already was, to revoke my visa, I consider it an honor. It is an honor… A government like that of Mr. Donald Trump, which says it doesn’t want to learn Spanish. I don’t feel annoyed; I feel honored that a government like the United States, under Mr. Trump, would revoke my visa,” the magistrate told the La Nación.
Suspicious Connection
Furthermore, Cruz noted that he sees “similarities” between the judges whose votes displease President Rodrigo Chaves and the magistrates whose visas have been revoked by the United States.
“The magistrates whose visas have been revoked are those of us who have voted on matters that displease the Costa Rican government and the United States,” he said.
Previously, Paul Rueda, also a magistrate of the Constitutional Court, lost his entry visa to the United States.
Other political figures who also lost their visas
The following also had their visas to the U.S. revoked:
Rodrigo Arias, President of the Legislative Assembly;
Independent legislators Johanna Obando and Cynthia Córdoba;
José Francisco Nicolás, PLN legislator;
Vanessa Castro, PUSC legislator;
Ana Sofía Machuca, Auditor General of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE).
Other Costa Ricans have also had their U.S. entry visas revoked.
The U.S. Embassy in San José has not given specific reasons for most revocations. In the cases where reasons where given, they included: 5G and China ties, political Disagreements, and judicial rulings.
In the case of Oscar Arias, his visa was revoked after public criticism of U.S. immigration policies and U.S. intervention in international affairs.
Magistrate Fernando Cruz’s visa was reportedly revoked following his judicial work regarding migrant rights, specifically defending migrants transferred from the U.S. to Costa Rica.
Costa Rica money, Costa Rican Banknotes colones, all denominations, Financial concept, close up
Q COSTARICA — Maintaining healthy public finances amidst significant challenges in security, education, and health will be President-elect Laura Fernández’s primary task upon taking office on May 8, as the 50th president.
The challenge is not easy, as the government has increasingly less money to meet its responsibilities, according to economists at the Economic and Social Observatory of the Universidad Nacional (UNA).
In short, the fiscal situation is fragile, according to Fernando Rodríguez, an economist at the UNA.
“There is a gradual deterioration in tax revenues, reflected in the reduction of Central Government income as a percentage of GDP, which fell from 15.98% in 2022 to 14.42% in 2025. This decline is mainly due to weakening tax collection. Specifically, the tax burden decreased from 13.20% of GDP in 2024 to 12.78% in 2025,” Rodríguez said.
Among the main factors explaining this behavior is the loss of dynamism in income tax revenue, especially in the corporate component, whose collection grew by only 1.1%. Likewise, the value-added tax (VAT) showed a slowdown, registering a year-on-year drop of 0.51% in 2025, reflecting less dynamism in sectors relevant to its collection, such as construction and tourism.
The Problem
The problem is that, in terms of security, for example, a war between drug cartels has led to record homicide rates since 2023, while resources for education have been significantly reduced, falling from 7.2% of GDP in 2015 to 5.4% in 2024.
Added to this is the crisis facing the CCSS pension system, which could collapse if reform is not implemented.
Regarding spending, after a brief respite, public debt once again exceeded the 60% threshold, reachin 60.4% of GDP,
This reactivated the fiscal rule, thereby containing public spending, and public sector salaries are expected to be frozen again until 2027.
Deteriorating tax revenues and high spending
Costa Rica must find a way to guarantee the sustainability of public finances while ensuring the social and productive investment the country requires (Figures from the Ministry of Finance, reviewed by UNA):
Central Government revenues fall from 15.98% of GDP (2022) to 14.42% (2025)
Fiscal deficit drops from 3.72% of GDP in 2024 to 3.41% in 2025.
Tax burden falls from 13.20% in 2024 to 12.78% of GDP in 2025.
Income tax loses momentum.
IVA (VAT) slows down year-on-year change -0.51% in 2025).
Drops in selective consumption tax and fuels.
Signs of weakening in the State’s revenue-collecting capacity.
The Challenges
Economists from the UNA presented what they consider to be the eight major economic challenges facing Fernández:
Economic growth outside of free trade zones
Loans with better terms
Greater labor force participation of women
To ensure the sustainability of public finances without compromising social or public investment
Efficient public transport and infrastructure
Population aging and social sustainability
Investment in education and technological adaptation
Infrastructure
In addition to the fiscal situation and the need to invest more resources in education, health, and security, the experts point to the urgency of fostering genuine growth in the permanent pension system, ensuring that the reduction in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) translates into cheaper loans more quickly, and, of course, resolving the traffic congestion problem through improved public transportation, as well as addressing the aging population.
“Strengthening the sustainability of the pension system through gradual adjustments, broadening the contributor base, and reducing informal employment are vital actions to address the aging population. It is also necessary to incentivize supplemental savings and the voluntary extension of working life, including flexible retirement plans and part-time work beyond age 65,” the specialists added.
Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica’s biodiversity has made its way amidst snow-covered landscapes in Canada, surprising hundreds of visitors at five ski resorts.
In contrast to the white of winter, Costa Rica showcased the essence of “Pura Vida” through eye-catching tents decorated with images of the country’s lush nature.
The initiative took place between January and March 2026, through a promotional tour that visited five ski resorts in Canada.
The strategy aimed to capture the attention of high-spending travelers from provinces such as Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta, encouraging them to discover the natural wealth that Costa Rica offers.
Canada remains the second-largest source of tourists to Costa Rica. In 2025, 260,347 visitors arrived by air, while in January 2026, 51,655 travelers arrived through direct flights between San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR), Costa Rica, and the Canadian cities of Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), Calgary (YYC), Winnipeg (YQG), and Vancouver (YVR).
Major airlines like Air Canada, WestJet, and the recently added Porter Airlines offer direct, often seasonal, service, with options available
Those who visited the promotional space could enter a themed shop that displayed photographs of the country’s biodiversity, along with information about wellness and adventure activities available in Costa Rica. The presentation highlighted the sustainable tourism offerings that distinguish Costa Rica as a destination.
In addition to learning about the tourism options, attendees enjoyed Costa Rican hot chocolate and mingled with skiers and snowboarders who had already visited the country.
Q COSTARICA — Thanks to a domino effect starting with fuel prices, the cost of living for Costa Ricans is expected to increase in the coming weeks due to the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Economic experts and business leaders are warning of a surge in international crude oil prices and, consequently, a direct impact on the economy.
In fact, since the start of the conflict, the price of a barrel of WTI crude, which serves as a benchmark for the national economy, rose from US$67.02 to US$96.75 last Friday.
Reduced economic growth, more expensive imported goods, and an increase in the dollar exchange rate are among the other potential consequences.
Furthermore, the Costa Rican government is expected to face higher interest rates to service its foreign debt, and therefore, the Central Bank is anticipated to be more cautious with its Monetary Policy Rate.
And indeed, aside from the geopolitical tensions, our country will be indirectly drawn into the armed conflict.
According to Costa Rica’s refinery that refines nothing, RECOPE, the conflict in the Middle East would cause “a moderate, almost immediate increase in the price of regular gasoline, diesel, and gas; while premium gasoline would decrease slightly.”
Indeed, according to preliminary data submitted by Recope to ARESEP last Friday, March 13, the price of a liter of premium gasoline would drop to ¢632 (-¢1), while regular gasoline would rise to ¢628 (+¢21), diesel to ¢565 (+¢35), and a 25-pound cylinder of gas would reach ¢6,834 (+¢81). These results reflect the behavior of the international hydrocarbon market between February 13 and March 12.
Domino Effect
In the case of Costa Rica, explains José Francisco Pacheco of the College of Economic Sciences, the most immediate transmission channel would be the increase in the price of oil, which is a cross-cutting input for practically all productive activities.
“Recent data indicate that the price of oil registered an increase of approximately 19.3% between the end of February and the beginning of March, which could eventually be passed on to the cost of the hydrocarbon ‘cocktail’ that the country imports. According to estimates cited in the analysis, a 10% increase in fuel prices could generate approximately 0.5 additional percentage points of inflation and reduce GDP growth by approximately one percentage point,” said Pacheco.
Although Costa Rica is not directly involved in the conflict, the effects are transmitted mainly through the increased cost of energy and international logistics, and this can impact domestic prices, economic growth, and investment decisions, Pacheco adds.
And the dollar?
In the case of the dollar, it’s important to understand that an increase in the price of oil would increase Recope’s demand for this currency to finance more expensive imports, and consequently, the dollar’s value would be expected to rise.
This wouldn’t necessarily be bad for the productive sectors, which have been complaining for years about an unrealistic appreciation of the colón against the dollar, so an upward surge would help them recover ground.
Meanwhile, Rodney Salazar, president of the Costa Rican Chamber of Foreign Trade (Crecex), warned of the complications for exporters, especially now that Iran is boycotting trade in the Strait of Hormuz.
This is one of the main strategic points for global energy trade. Around 20.9 million barrels of oil pass through this waterway daily, equivalent to about 20% of global consumption of liquid petroleum products and a significant proportion of maritime trade in liquefied natural gas (LNG).
“Any disruption to its operations has an almost immediate impact on international oil and gas prices and the costs associated with maritime transport. In recent days, incidents have been reported that have increased operational risk in the area, leading to adjustments in insurance premiums, the application of war risk surcharges, and changes in shipping routes,” Salazar explained.
Q COSTARICA — It is a matter of days before the extradition to the U.S. of former magistrate and prosecutor, Celso Gamboa, and Edwin López Vega, alias “Pecho de Rata” (Rat’s Chest), takes place to face charges of international drug trafficking before a Texax court.
The extradition process involves Costa Rican authorities and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to send a plane to transport both men to Texas, the first Costa Ricans to be extradited under a new law that went into effect last May, where they will be tried for international drug trafficking.
The United States sent diplomatic notes to the Costa Rican judiciary guaranteeing that both men will be tried and punished only for the crimes for which their extradition was granted.
Furthermore, the notes assured that they will not face the death penalty, life imprisonment, or sentences exceeding 50 years in prison (the maximum in Costa Rica), and that they will not be prosecuted for crimes already tried in Costa Rican courts.
Last Friday, the judge reviewed compliance with this requirement and approved the extradition. Attorney General Carlo Díaz explained that once this step is completed, the organization of the extradition operation will be very expedited.
“The U.S. government is keen for the extradition to take place as soon as possible. They have stated that, once we confirm that the extradition can proceed, they will send a plane very quickly to transport both individuals.
Once the judge has verified and diplomatically informed the U.S. government that the entire process has been completed and the extradition can take place, I could practically say that the plane that will transport them to Texas will arrive in less than a week, that is what the DEA has told me,” Díaz explained.
The transfer will be legally overseen by a judge, who must notify the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) to prepare the police operation that will allow them to be transferred from the maximum-security module of the prison known as La Reforma to the airport where the aircraft will land.
The OIJ’s elite unit, the Special Tactical Response Service (SERT), will be responsible for the transfer to the aircraft, as has been the case every time these individuals have been extradited to court for legal proceedings.
Although the DEA can normally use commercial flights to transport prisoners, in this case, it will use one of its own aircraft, as is the case in high-profile cases, such as the extradition of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández in 2022.
Celso Gamboa (left) and Edwin López Vega (right)
“In this case, they will bring their own plane and carry out the transfer with their own personnel. That speaks to the profile of these extraditions, the first two (from Costa Rica, one of them was a prosecutor, a judge, a deputy minister, a minister, and a high-profile individual,” Diaz explained.
Among the aircraft used by the DEA that could be seen on the day Gamboa and López are picked up are small and medium-sized planes, such as the Beechcraft King Air (B200 and B350) and the Diamond DA42 and DA62, used for tactical operations and, in some cases, extraditions.
Although authorities intend to do it as soon as possible, the legal deadline for completing the extradition is two months, according to Michael Castillo, Gamboa’s lawyer.
“The final stage of the extradition process, the formal handover, is now beginning. Starting today, the requesting country has two months to complete the necessary administrative procedures and then make the formal handover at the airport.
We don’t know the date or time; it’s a matter for the requesting country, and due to protocol, they don’t tell us,” the lawyer explained.
President Donald J. Trump poses for a Family Photo with world leaders at the Shield of the Americas summit at Trump National Doral, Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Miami, Florida. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
Q COSTARICA — After accepting a writ of amparo for review, the justices of the Constitutional Court, or Sala IV as it is popularly referred to, will determine whether Costa Rica’s incorporation into the “Shield of the Americas” program violates the country’s Constitution and the fundamental rights of Costa Ricans.
The initiative in question is a hemispheric multinational military coalition established by Donald Trump and the United States to combat organized crime and drug trafficking, and, in principle, would allow the U.S. to conduct military operations on Costa Rican territory.
In addition to Costa Rica, ten other right-wing and far-right Latin American governments (Argentina, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago) have signed the hemispheric pact.
“The appellants argue that the declaration signed by the Minister of Public Security links Costa Rica to a hemispheric security framework of a military nature (…). They allege that this signing generated legal and political effects by linking the country to a regional security scheme that they consider incompatible with the Costa Rican legal system,” explained the Constitutional Court.
Military Rejection
For Costa Rica to fight criminal forces on equal terms, it necessarily needs external assistance, according to President Rodrigo Chaves, who defended the “Shield of the Americas” plan.
Chaves has launched strong criticism against the plan’s detractors, accusing them of not understanding the scope of the agreement and of misrepresenting its content.
“There’s always someone who’s drunk at a party. There’s always someone like Miguel Guillén going to the Constitutional Court (Sala IV) without knowing exactly what was discussed,” Chaves said, referring to two appeals for protection and one action of unconstitutionality against the plan.
President Chaves insisted that the agreement does not imply the presence of foreign military forces, but rather a reinforcement of the police response capacity against the advance of organized crime.
Chaves has positioned the pact as a historic and necessary step for Costa Rica and the region to bolster security and tackle narcoterrorism and crime more effectively. He underscored the urgency of swift action against criminal organizations, highlighting the pact’s role in fostering regional cooperation to secure borders and dismantle cartels that threaten national and hemispheric stability.
“No one here is necessarily talking about military force. We are simply talking about ensuring that the response capacity of our police forces is proportionate to the attack capacity of these non-state combatants,” he stated.
This marks a notable moment in Costa Rica’s traditionally neutral foreign policy.
Q COSTARICA — Far from being bankrupt or collapsing due to a corruption crisis and potential mismanagement, the Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) stands out for its sufficient capital and liquidity, according to the international credit rating agency Moody’s.
Last week, all doubts about the bank’s situation were dispelled after President-elect Laura Fernández stated on February 2nd that selling the BCR was urgent because it was close to bankruptcy.
“Moody’s Local Costa Rica, one of the world’s leading credit rating agencies, has awarded the Banco Costa Rica (BCR) the highest possible ratings in various key areas that support its strength and efficiency as a financial institution,” the BCR said in a press release.
These were the ratings issued:
• AAA.cr rating as a long-term issuer in local and foreign currency
• ML A-1.cr short-term rating in both local and foreign currency
• AAA.cr rating for standardized bond issuance programs
• AA+.cr rating for the standardized subordinated bond program
• The outlook for the long-term ratings is Stable
What did Fernández say?
Fernández’s announcement the day after winning the presidential elections, indicated that her idea (more than a plan) to sell the BCR is to capitalize the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) —Costa Rican Social Security Fund — pension system.
The president-elect stated that she does not want anyone to have to work until age 70, nor does she want the contributions paid by workers and employers to increase.
In announcing her idea, she questioned the current situation of the BCR.
“I stand by my serious proposal to sell the Banco de Costa Rica before it goes bankrupt, before it collapses due to a crisis of corruption and potential mismanagement,” Fernández affirmed.
“I don’t want the people of Costa Rica to have to retire at 70, and I also don’t want employers or workers to see their current contributions increased. That’s why I think we need to make serious decisions,” she asserted.
As one of the country’s oldest and most influential financial institutions, the proposed sale marks a significant shift in economic policy and has drawn both support and sharp criticism.
Founded over a century ago, the Banco de Costa Rica has long served as a pillar of the country’s banking system, providing services to millions of Costa Ricans and supporting local businesses. The bank’s public ownership has been a point of pride and a symbol of national identity for many citizens.
Opponents of the sale argue that privatizing the public bank risks undermining financial stability and limiting access to affordable banking services for everyday Costa Ricans. Labor unions and opposition parties have vowed to challenge the proposal, warning it could lead to job losses and increased inequality.
Economic experts are divided. Some see Fernández’s plan as a bold move that could inject much-needed efficiency and competitiveness into the sector. Others caution that the sale could expose the country to greater financial risks if not carefully managed.
The president-elect has promised transparency and public consultations before any final decision is made, but the debate over the future of Banco de Costa Rica is only just beginning.
Q COSTARICA — Amid the bidding process for the new 5G cellular network, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE)—Costa Rican Electricity Institute—reported on Thursday that it was the victim of cyber espionage.
It also confirmed the theft of 9 gigabytes of information from internal emails.
The matter was classified as a national security issue by Paula Bogantes, head of the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones (Micitt)—Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications.
Although authorities are still in the evidence-gathering and technical analysis stages, indications point to an Asian actor linked to global corporate espionage.
The complaint has already been filed with the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ)—Judicial Investigation Agency, and the Costa Rican government is working with U.S. advisors to safeguard ICE’s information and address the incident.
ICE denied any disruption to electricity and telecommunications services due to the cybersecurity breach. The Clues
Bogantes explained that the alert stemmed from a technical report that identified a security breach in ICE’s technological infrastructure the previous February.
She detailed that, as part of the investigation, a specialized technical forensic analysis was conducted, which confirmed the presence of a cyber actor focused on the telecommunications sector.
“The presence of this threat actor, with an emphasis on the telecommunications industry and whose objective is cyber espionage, was confirmed. Simultaneously, the United States government was contacted, and they are supporting us and coordinating efforts to address the incident. This threat actor has been identified in 42 countries, and its focus is the telecommunications sector and cyber espionage,” the official explained.
Email Extraction
For his part, ICE’s CEO, Marco Acuña, stated that the first suspicious activity was detected at the end of January.
According to the official, the attack did not compromise critical electricity or telecommunications services, and he confirmed that it focused on internal information technology systems.
“The cyber espionage is not related to the electricity or telecommunications networks, which are ICE’s critical services, but rather to the information technology networks that handle emails and the flow of administrative information,” he stated.
Acuña also confirmed the extraction of data from ICE servers.
“We have detected the extraction of 9 GB of email data. We are working to prevent this from continuing,” he indicated.
The official added that “they steal information for various purposes, which are clearly not transparent or legal.”
This occurs during the 5G network tender process, a process of modernizing the infrastructure necessary to deploy the 5G network in Costa Rica.
Aware that a fifth-generation cellular network also requires upgrading the data transport network, the institute—through its kölbi brand—is in the final stages of a tender worth nearly $40 million to build the architecture that will support the growth in digital traffic. Transport networks in telecommunications function like the arteries and veins of the system, as they are responsible for moving the data that enables cellular telephony and digital services to operate.
Meanwhile, the 5G network tender process is in the price improvement stage. ICE intends to award the contract by the end of March.
Q24N (LatinAmerica21) Increasingly, in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in everyday decision-making processes that affect millions of people: scholarship selection, social subsidies, alerts from social services, biometric identification, and even guidance for victims of violence.
However, as highlighted by the Regional Human Development Report 2025, AI is consolidating in a region with persistent inequalities, and the data that feed these systems inevitably reflect the biases embedded in society. If algorithms learn from these realities, gender bias stops being a laboratory flaw and becomes a development problem: it can exclude those least represented in records, such as poor, indigenous, migrant, or rural women, further eroding institutional trust.
Yet the same technology that can deepen inequalities can also protect, inform, and create opportunities, especially for traditionally excluded groups. The challenge is to reduce this bias and implement verifiable controls that prioritize equity to expand rights, improve policy targeting, and foster more inclusive growth.
A “technical” problem that is already a development issue
One of the main uses of artificial intelligence is identifying patterns in large volumes of data to optimize decisions. However, models that “average” diverse populations can disadvantage underrepresented groups and reproduce historical patterns of discrimination.
In social protection programs, for example, several LAC countries have incorporated automated models to classify individuals and allocate benefits, but scoring systems can perpetuate exclusion if they rely on data where women or other groups are not equitably represented.
Gender bias appears in specific decisions, and public safety provides an equally illustrative counterpoint. The region has rapidly adopted biometric and facial recognition technologies, yet studies show that false positives disproportionately affect women, particularly racialized women. These identification errors compromise freedoms, may trigger unjust detentions, and amplify inequalities.
Similarly, when hiring algorithms replicate male-dominated work histories, or when credit is granted via models that penalize female trajectories according to traditional banking criteria, opportunities for women are reduced, productivity is lost, and entrepreneurship is limited. The region cannot afford technologies that exclude female talent from already segmented markets.
Investing in representative data and strengthening regulatory frameworks for AI use, including equity metrics and accountability mechanisms, are key steps toward using this technology responsibly and inclusively. In this way, artificial intelligence can become an opportunity not only to improve decision-making efficiency but also to broaden the base of innovation beneficiaries, accelerate digital adoption, and promote labor and financial inclusion.
It is also important to consider the symbolic dimension: the default feminization of virtual assistants or chatbots, through their names, voices, and avatars, reproduces hierarchies. This may be justified in specific services, but as a norm, it reinforces stereotypes about the role of women in society. Interface design, increasingly used to enhance public service delivery, is also an element of public policy.
Female leadership: From “outliers” to designers
Principles of non-discrimination, transparency, and human oversight are already included in the strategies and frameworks of several countries in the region. The challenge is to translate them into verifiable controls: documenting the demographic composition of data; evaluating performance by subgroups (women by age, origin, migration status, or rurality); monitoring outcomes after system deployment; and requiring mandatory independent audits for high-impact systems (such as those used in social protection, health, justice, and security). With these controls, AI becomes auditable and governable.
Due to historical exclusions and low visibility in formal data, systems tend to classify women as “outliers,” a term in statistics referring to an atypical value—an observation numerically distant from the rest of the data. From a strictly statistical perspective, datasets with outliers can lead to erroneous conclusions and are generally avoided. However, this does not always apply in more nuanced contexts, such as credit applications, job openings, or social programs, where women’s characteristics may differ from men’s but should not be grounds for exclusion from selection processes.
Women in the region are not only users of AI but also leaders in creating solutions: feminist frameworks for AI development, open tools to detect stereotypes in language models, and initiatives incorporating a gender perspective into platform work. Placing women at the center—as designers, auditors, regulators, and users—improves the technical quality of systems and accelerates their social acceptance. This is also a policy of innovation.
Ultimately, reducing gender bias multiplies returns: more precise and legitimate social policies; security compatible with rights; more inclusive and productive labor and financial markets; and greater trust in institutions capable of governing complex technologies. This translates into human development: more real capabilities—health, education, participation, decent work—and greater agency to influence one’s own life and environment.
AI is not neutral, but it can be fair. To achieve this, Latin America and the Caribbean must embrace a minimum standard already within reach: representative and documented data, equity metrics by subgroups, independent audits, and avenues for redress when harm occurs. Reducing gender bias not only opens opportunities for women but also drives development for the entire region.
This article is based on the findings of the Regional Human Development Report 2025, titled “Under Pressure: Recalibrating the Future of Development”, produced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Q COSTARICA — One of the conditions Costa Rica demanded from the United States was that, if found guilty, former magistrate Celso Gamboa would not face a prison sentence longer than the one faced in Costa Rica: that is, not exceeding 50 years, regardless of all the crimes he allegedly committed.
With this guarantee by U.S. authorities, Gamboa’s extradition to the United States is now clear and considered practically imminent, as confirmed on Thursday by Attorney General Carlo Díaz.
Gamboa, who served as Minister of Security during the Citizen Action Party (PAC) administration of Luis Guillermo Solís (2014-2018), as well as Attorney General and magistrate of the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court, is considered the alleged leader of a drug trafficking organization that shipped drugs from Costa Rica to the United States.
The accusations are based on information gathered by the U.S. anti-drug agencyDrug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. anti-drug agency.
Formal Promise
The Ministerio Público de Costa Rica (Public Prosecutor’s Office) confirmed that the U.S. government submitted the formal promises requested by the San José Criminal Court of Appeals in the extradition proceedings against Gamboa. The promise also includes Edwin López Vega, nicknamed “Pecho de Rata” (Rat’s Chest), who faces extradition on charges for crimes allegedly committed between 2008 and June 2025.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the documentation has already been transferred to the San José Criminal Court, which will continue with the corresponding procedures within the extradition process.
These types of promises are a requirement requested by the court that heard the appeal filed in the proceedings. Through them, the requesting state provides formal guarantees regarding the legal treatment that the requested individuals will receive.
In Costa Rica, Article 51 of the Penal Code establishes that the maximum prison sentence is 50 years, regardless of the sum of the sentences handed down by a court. This regulation was ratified by the Constitutional Court, maintaining this maximum term of imprisonment as the legal limit.
The promise by U.S. authorities also offered the guarantee that the time the defendants have spent in pretrial detention in Costa Rica will be deducted from any eventual sentence calculation.
Q COSTA RICA — The first speech of Costa Rica’s president-elect, Laura Fernández, was telling: it revealed both the central purpose of her continuity project and her own perception of the difficulties in fully implementing it.
Her address had two secondary motives.
The first, a necessary one, was to thank the outgoing president for having initiated a structural change in the country. The second, which reveals her own political sensitivity, was to respond to the accusations of authoritarianism that had been repeated in political and journalistic circles during the campaign.
“Democracy, democracy, democracy!” the president-elect repeated at the beginning of her victory speech. But it was a rather polysemous statement. It could refer to the strong popular support for her electoral victory, which would allow her to continue the project initiated by her predecessor, or it could clarify that she would carry it out without overstepping institutional checks and balances, the sin of which the opposition accuses her.
It is also possible that it was a combination of both, something that will become clearer with time.
The central purpose of the continuity project was stated unequivocally by Laura Chinchilla: she proclaimed that “this is the end of the Second Republic,” the one that began after the 1948 war and has lasted until today. This is a “profound and irreversible” change. Thus, this electoral victory reflects the birth of a new sociopolitical model. “Today the Third Republic is born!” he exclaimed.
That is to say, the change of model now has a clear name (the Third Republic). But two crucial questions arise: What causes justify this considerable change? And, above all, will it be possible to implement it in its full scope?
It could be argued that the electoral victory itself, of enormous proportions, after the strong criticisms leveled at the outgoing president, would be sufficient justification for the proposed radical change. But that wouldn’t explain the underlying reasons behind the success of the status quo.
Various observers, Sergio Ramírez among them, assert that this has to do with the drastic change in Costa Rican society: the peaceful and secure Costa Rica no longer exists. It should be added: neither does the Costa Rica with little inequality.
And was this slide toward insecurity and inequality inevitable? What has prevented the Costa Rican political system from avoiding this negative change?
My perception is that it stems from a disconnect between the real sociopolitical change and the prevailing political culture. From a certain perspective On a positive note, it can be said that some political projects can be victims of their own success. This is what happened with the political model that emerged from the 1948 civil war (known as the Second Republic).
Undoubtedly, this social-democratic system was a successful model that established the economic and political foundations for consolidating the most stable democracy in the region.
However, the profound societal changes were not absorbed in time. The confirmation of the shift from a rural to an urban society, the impact of global crises, the radical modification of the production model, the emergence of two spheres of consumption, as well as the inherent flaws of the political culture, among other factors, prevented the full absorption of these changes.
It must also be noted that the established way of doing politics was not without its flaws. For example, the tendency to avoid open dissent.
In other Central American countries, it is often said that if there is anything difficult, it is knowing what a Costa Rican really thinks. The inclination to give answers based on saying what the interlocutor expects to hear had political consequences. effective. Surveys on mutual trust have shown that this trust was considerably low, even compared to that of other Central American countries. And I believe that the break with that style has been a dividend for Rodrigo Chaves.
The problem is that, while profound social changes were taking place, the inclination in the majority political culture has been to insist on the features of the old, successful model. This has fostered a growing separation between those who operate this systemic nostalgia and the discontent of the country’s heartland. Something that erupted with Rodrigo Chaves’s victory in the last elections confirmed this situation.
Chaves’s tumultuous presidency has reflected both his lack of understanding of the institutional system and the resistance he has faced from those nostalgic for the previous, successful model. But the resounding electoral victory of his successor shows that, despite the outgoing president’s frequent missteps, the country’s heartland continues to support him.
However, the transition to the Third Republic is by no means guaranteed.
Chaves’s approach has consisted of reducing or eliminating many of the institutional checks and balances that prevent Costa Rica from adapting to the modern world. And that is the basis of her complaint that, in reality, those nostalgic for the old, outdated model have taken refuge within these checks and balances, and that, in practice, they have prevented her from governing. Her opponents respond that Chaves has sought to destroy the institutional checks and balances that strengthen democracy.
This dilemma reflects the challenge facing the president-elect regarding the transition to the Third Republic.
On the one hand, there is a perception that state reform is necessary. In fact, state reform has long been a frequent topic of academic and political discussion. For many specialists, the Second Republic attempted to address the high level of mutual distrust through a growing tendency toward administrative controls, something perceived by the general population as an obstructive framework that only benefits the bureaucracy and elites.
This explains why Chávez’s discourse on breaking free from this entanglement has received such considerable public support. Of course, his critics accuse him of wanting to eliminate all obstacles in order to promote authoritarian governance.
But beyond intentions, the question remains whether the transformation to the Third Republic is actually possible.
From a legislative standpoint, the new presidency faces three options. The first is to try to use ordinary laws (for which it has a sufficient majority) to produce profound institutional changes. The only certainty this option provides is that the Constitutional Court will have an exhaustive task given the sheer volume of appeals and complaints it will receive.
The second option is to pursue a popular legislative initiative, collecting signatures for a Constituent Assembly. This process would entail a bitter political struggle, potentially compounded by sharp disagreements with Rodrigo Chaves.
The third option, which would take place within the parliamentary arena, involves negotiations with the National Liberation Party (PLN), the only force that, together with the ruling party, would provide the qualified majority (38 votes) needed to achieve a constitutional reform.
This would be a difficult negotiation because the PLN is under pressure from the other progressive opposition parties and could emerge fractured from such negotiations.
In short, two scenarios are emerging. The first is to clearly establish whether a structural change to the political system, which the ruling party currently refers to as the Third Republic, is possible without abandoning the basic principles of democracy. And to know if this is possible in the complex political conditions in which the new president finds herself, facing opposition political forces fueled by intense resentment and under the watchful eye of the outgoing president.
The government transition is set for May 8, 2026. On that day, Laura Fernandez assumes the presidency, while Rodrigo Chaves is expected to become the Ministro de la Presidencia (Chief of Staff). Fernandez held that Chief of Staff position before the election, and after winning in February, she was nominated by Chaves to again fill the role.
Q24N (LatinAmerica21) — Latin America and the Caribbean is a region shaped by multiple transitions. While the term has traditionally been used to refer to transitions toward democracy, today the notion extends far beyond the political sphere.
We speak of energy, ecosocial, urban, and digital transitions, among others, to underscore that change entails not only new resources or technologies, but also the transformation of productive models, consumption patterns, and worldviews.
In the most unequal region on the planet, one expression that has gained increasing prominence and urgency is that of a just transition. According to the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), the richest 10 percent concentrate 77 percent of the region’s wealth.
In this context, any process of change faces a central challenge: ensuring that transitions do not deepen historical inequalities but rather pave the way for a truly equitable transformation.
Why speak of just transitions today?
The climate crisis we are confronting is also a crisis of inequality. According to a 2025 Oxfam report, ultra-wealthy individuals and large corporations contribute disproportionately to global warming due to their high emission levels and their economic and political power.
Indeed, 86 percent of the wealthiest 0.1 percent of the world’s population reside in the Global North, while climate change disproportionately affects countries in the Global South and historically marginalized groups such as indigenous peoples, afro-descendants, and women. In this sense, the climate crisis functions as a multiplier of inequalities.
In light of this scenario, it is urgent to articulate diverse forms of knowledge and rethink the organization of our societies within planetary boundaries. Although many sectors argue that the energy transition and so-called green capitalism offer comprehensive solutions, in practice these labels often mask a new race, driven largely by governments and corporations in the Global North, for rare earths, strategic minerals, and renewable energy sources to produce batteries, electric vehicles, and power technologies such as artificial intelligence.
The paradox is evident: manufacturing these “green” solutions requires vast amounts of energy and minerals extracted from the Global South, intensifying socio-environmental impacts and conflicts while reproducing historical dependencies. Rather than overcoming asymmetries, current energy transition proposals, as they are being implemented, tend to deepen inequalities and consolidate new forms of green colonialism.
Amid rising geopolitical tensions and competition for strategic resources, Latin America, rich in lithium, oil, copper, and rare earths, has become a contested territory among major powers, reinforcing its peripheral role as an exporter of natural resources to China and the United States. Forebodingly, the recent U.S. military intervention in Venezuela and control over the country’s oil reserves, in blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law, sets a troubling precedent for the region.
At the same time, despite the severe impacts of the climate crisis, climate denialism, disinformation, and efforts to delay or obstruct effective action against global warming persist. The United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and environmental and climate deregulation processes promoted by countries such as India, Argentina, and Ecuador jeopardize the ecological advances achieved in recent decades. To avert a deeper catastrophe, it is imperative to advance toward an economic, political, and social model that is genuinely sustainable.
Implications of a Just Transition in Latin America and the Caribbean
The concept of a “just transition” originates in labor movement struggles and emerged in the 1980s, when U.S. unions in fossil fuel–dependent industries used the term to defend workers affected by or losing their jobs due to new environmental regulations. The concept emphasizes the need to consider who wins and who loses in a transition process, as well as the benefits and negative impacts it generates.
In recent years, the concept has gained centrality in global climate debates, highlighting that the path toward decarbonization must place society as a whole: communities, workers, and historically marginalized groups, at its core. Although its interpretation varies across countries and regions, the principle is clear: no transformation process will be legitimate if it leaves entire sectors behind.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, addressing the climate crisis and advancing toward a sustainable, low-carbon economy will require annual investments ranging from US$470 billion to US$1.3 trillion (equivalent to 7–19 percent of regional GDP) in infrastructure and social spending, an undertaking with profound economic and social implications. Among other effects, this shift will entail the closure of fossil fuel–related companies, geographic changes in production patterns, and job losses in certain sectors, while generating new opportunities in areas such as renewable energy. It will also require higher levels of training and the development of new worker competencies.
Phasing out fossil fuels will affect regional infrastructure and production systems, as well as the cost of living, potentially increasing food and transportation prices. At the same time, it may reduce fiscal revenues available to finance social investments, posing additional challenges for states.
In this context, countries in the region must ensure that these processes are carefully planned, participatory, and just, and that their benefits are equitably distributed. Simultaneously, it is crucial to anticipate negative impacts and adopt measures to mitigate and compensate for them through social protection, redistributive, and employment policies, particularly targeting low-income households and historically marginalized groups.
Far from being merely an ideal, concrete proposals have emerged from Latin America and the Caribbean. One such initiative is the Ecosocial and Intercultural Pact of the South, which argues that a genuine transition must be more than energy or technological change; it must constitute a comprehensive transformation of the socioecological regime aimed at guaranteeing dignified living conditions, placing social justice and the fight against inequality at the center. Without this commitment, the transition will be incomplete and ineffective.
Q COSTARICA — The Nadia Peraza case in Costa Rica has drawn significant attention due to its disturbing details and ongoing trial. Nadia Peraza, a young woman, was murdered, and the case has unveiled chilling forensic evidence.
Her remains were found wrapped in aluminum foil and stored inside plastic food containers. Nadia Peraza’s feet, genitals, and breasts were not found when forensic doctors entered the house in San Pablo de Heredia. The refrigerator where the accused murderer had her dismembered body was located there.
These body parts were also missing from the bag found on a vacant lot in Bajo de los Molinos, San Rafael.
Forensic experts confirmed that fingerprints found at the crime scene belonged to Nadia Peraza herself, strengthening the case against the accused.
This was stated by Emily Solano González, a forensic doctor who was one of those in charge of processing the case at both locations.
Solano was in courtroom number 4 at the Heredia Courthouse on Tuesday, as part of the trial against Jeremy Buzano Paisano, Peraza’s alleged murderer.
Jeremy Buzano Paisano, Peraza’s alleged murderer, under the watchfull eyes of prison guards in the San José courtroom
During the hearing, photographs of what was found in the refrigerator and the bag were presented, which is why Marilyn Espinoza, Peraza’s mother, decided to leave the courtroom.
On Friday, May 17, 2024, when Solano first entered the house with a multidisciplinary team, they found body parts inside garments folded in a “methodical and systematic” manner, as she described to the judges.
In other words, they weren’t folded haphazardly, but meticulously. The garments were women’s.
“In a pair of jeans folded over itself, one leg was tucked inside the other in a very systematic way, to the point that it had to be taken apart, and inside was a bone,” the forensic expert explained.
The tibia, a patella, bone fragments, the head, and the thorax were found in the refrigerator.
In addition, there were plastic containers with multiple tissue fragments, according to Solano.
All of these remains entered through the container’s opening, as there were no other openings.
In the bag found on the property, they located the left hand and another plastic container, also containing tissue.
The medical examiner estimated that it took “a long time” to reach that level of dismemberment and stated that she had never seen a case of that magnitude.
The case has drawn comparisons to notorious serial killers like Ted Bundy due to the extreme cruelty and alleged behaviors of the suspect.
Paisano faces 21 crimes, including femicide, identity theft (for allegedly using Nadia’s phone to simulate she was still alive), computer fraud and, including femicide and allegations of cannibalism. The family’s legal representation is seeking a total sentence of 196 years in prison.
The accused’s defense attorney argues that Paisano is innocent, suffers from mental health issues and has accused the prosecution of influencing witness testimonies, but the weight of forensic evidence remains central to the proceedings.
This case has gripped the Costa Rican public and media, highlighting issues of violence against women and the brutal nature of the crime involved, capturing public attention not only for its tragic nature but also for the detailed and thorough legal process unfolding in Costa Rica’s justice system as it grapples with femicide, a crime of growing concern in the country.
The trial continues as the court examines the full scope of evidence and testimonies to reach a verdict.
Q COSTARICA — The subtropical jet stream, a high-altitude air current, is acting as a barrier, preventing cold fronts from descending into Central America and the Caribbean.
This phenomenon helps explain why several cold air systems have failed to directly impact Costa Rica in recent months.
This was explained by Rodrigo Castillo, a researcher at the Center for Geophysical Research and the Laboratory of Atmospheric Engineering and Physics at the University of Costa Rica (UCR).
This atmospheric current has intensified over Mexico.
“Furthermore, the subtropical jet stream is beginning to strengthen and acts as a block, preventing potential cold fronts from descending to tropical latitudes or even entering the Caribbean basin,” Castillo explained.
According to the expert, the strengthening of the jet stream began in March and is mainly due to changes associated with the transition of the La Niña phenomenon to a neutral phase.
“During La Niña, the cooling of the equatorial Pacific waters modifies tropical atmospheric circulation and can alter the distribution of rainfall and temperatures in different regions of the planet, including Central America,” he explained.
Effects
According to the expert, the subtropical jet stream is a very strong air current that, when it intensifies, can:
Modify the trajectory of weather systems
Limit the movement of cold air masses toward regions closer to the tropics
In the case of Central America, its strengthening can prevent cold fronts from the Northern Hemisphere from advancing.
This means that, although cold fronts will continue to occur, their direct influence on the country may be less.
Cold Air Outbreaks
According to the national weather service, the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN), the 2025-2026 cold air outbreak season is progressing as expected.
The seasonal forecast indicates that the following values are typically recorded:
22 cold air outbreaks between October and April
16 outbreaks between November and February
To date, 15 cold air outbreaks have been recorded in the Caribbean, but only two cold fronts have directly affected the national territory.
According to Karina Hernández, from the IMN’s Climatology Unit, not all of these systems directly impact the country.
“Cold air outbreaks are masses of cold air that move toward the Caribbean, but we only refer to a cold front when that system directly reaches the national territory,” she explained.
“Normally one or two cold fronts arrive in Costa Rica per season, so the two events recorded this year (one in January and another in February) are within expectations,” Hernández added.
Wind and Cold Weather
Although the impact of these weather systems has been limited in terms of rainfall, changes in the perceived temperature were noticeable.
This occurred during the first two months of 2026, when historically low temperatures were even recorded during the dry season.
“When these events occur, the most noticeable effects in the country are usually stronger winds and a drop in temperatures, especially in the Central Valley and mountainous regions,” noted the expert from the National Meteorological Institute (IMN).
“In the Caribbean, on the other hand, rainfall associated with the passage of these cold air masses is more common,” added Hernández.
According to the IMN forecast, a cold front is possible in the coming months due to its late start.
A fireball rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted an area in Beirut’s southern suburbs overnight March 10 to 11, 2026. (Photo by FADEL itani / AFP) / ATTENTION EDITORS: PHOTO TAKEN WITH APPROVAL FROM THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND ISLAMIC GUIDANCE (ERSHAD) --
AFP COVERS THE WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST THROUGH ITS EXTENSIVE REGIONAL NETWORK, INCLUDING BUREAUS IN TEHRAN, JERUSALEM, AND SEVERAL NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. SINCE THE START OF THE CONFLICT, JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN WORKING UNDER INCREASINGLY RESTRICTIVE CONDITIONS. AUTHORITIES IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES HAVE LIMITED REPORTERS' MOVEMENTS, PHOTO AND LIVE VIDEO COVERAGE FROM SENSITIVE LOCATIONS. SOME GOVERNMENTS AND ARMED GROUPS HAVE BANNED IMAGES OF MISSILE OR DRONE STRIKES AND OTHER SECURITY-RELATED SITES. /
Q COSTARICA — One of the most characteristic elements of Costa Rica’s foreign policy has been set aside in favor of the United States and Israel in their aggression against Iran.
Meanwhile, the Spanish government is the one raising the banner of “no to war.”
According to Al Jazeera, the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran have already claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people. Faced with this recent campaign of aggression, the Costa Rican government chose to ignore the perpetual neutrality proclaimed since 1983 and has instead taken sides without hesitation.
On February 28, when the unjustified aggression began, the government, through a brief statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed “its grave concern about the escalation of tensions and military operations in the Middle East.” But he also stated: “Costa Rica strongly condemns Iran’s attacks against Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan.”
It suffices to reiterate Rodrigo Chaves’s statements to Milenio magazine: “We are taking a stance with the United States and Israel because we believe they are on the right side.” However, Nicolás Boeglin suspiciously remarked, “I don’t think it has anything to do with violating neutrality.”
The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has taken a different approach, decisively announcing that the United States could not use its bases on Spanish territory to carry out bombing missions in Iran. This earned him a threat from Trump to impose tariffs on Spanish imports.
Last Wednesday, March 4, Sánchez reiterated that “the position of the Spanish government can be summed up in four words: no to war.” He added that “we are not going to be complicit in something that is bad for the world and that is also contrary to our values and interests, simply out of fear of reprisals from someone.”
Just this past Friday, the 6th, he insisted that “this war in Iran, in my opinion, in the opinion of the Spanish Government, is an extraordinary mistake that we are going to pay for,” according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The conflict in the Middle East is spreading to other countries. Israel has resumed its tradition of bombing Lebanon.
Q COSTARICA (Semanario Universidad) The award bestowed upon Rodrigo Chaves by the so-called Zionist Israeli Center of Costa Rica, in the midst of the Palestinian genocide, arrived on March 2nd as recognition of a series of actions that made the president a worthy recipient of Zionist gratitude.
The Chaves administration has had no qualms about aligning itself with the regime of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, from supporting Donald Trump’s highly questionable plan to divide the beleaguered Gaza Strip with Israel, to abstaining in important United Nations (UN) votes, to the highly symbolic gesture of signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Jerusalem and even establishing a trade office in that disputed city.
Note the gravity of the case: all the actions questioned by the Chaves administration were carried out while the genocide was already underway, which to this day has already claimed more than 75,000 lives, according to independent studies published by media outlets such as The Guardian or Al Jazeera.
Rodrigo Chaves receiving his award from the Zionist Israelite Center. (Photo: Presidency)
It was upon receiving the Zionist recognition that Chaves announced the opening of the trade office in Jerusalem and declared that “peace is the only path to the well-being and prosperity of nations,” but that “peace at all costs has proven not to always work. There are things worth fighting for. There are things for which we have an obligation to fight.”
“I announce to you that relations between the State of Israel and the people of Costa Rica will not weaken; on the contrary, I have the honor of informing you that Procomer (the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter) will open a trade office with diplomatic rank in Jerusalem. This is a strong gesture, as Her Excellency the Ambassador can attest,” he proclaimed.
The President of Costa Rica added that “the government will be attacked for this, and yet, even in the current context, we will not back down, we will not retreat.”
And again, just this past March 6th, in an interview with the Mexican magazine Milenio, Chaves said: “Regarding Israel, we are strengthening that relationship.”
He even went further and, regarding the recently begun war against Iran, reaffirmed that “we are taking a stance with the United States and Israel because we believe they are on the right side. I know this is a controversial issue. However, Iran is a theocracy that says it will eliminate the democracy that exists in the Middle East, which is Israel.”
Chaves on the path already laid out
Dr. Carlos Murillo, an international relations expert and director of the Center for Research and Observatory of Development (Ciodd) at the University of Costa Rica (UCR), considered that Costa Rica’s foreign policy is “highly committed” to Israel’s interests.
At the same time, he observed that this level of commitment is not new under Chaves: “Historically, in Costa Rica’s mission to the United Nations, there has always been a diplomatic official connected to the Jewish community in Costa Rica,” something he admitted he hadn’t verified in the case of the current administration.
“I dare say that in all previous governments—I repeat, I don’t know about this one—there has always been someone influential close to the president of Costa Rica. That’s why, historically, Costa Rica has favored the Embassy in Jerusalem,” he said, recalling that Costa Rica was one of the first states to recognize Israel in 1948.
He pointed out that “during the administration of (Luis Alberto) Monge and others, perhaps the one who isn’t as close is Óscar Arias, but (Costa Rica) has had a close relationship and a strong commitment to Israel, especially on Middle Eastern issues, and that’s why Chaves speaks of this US-Israeli relationship, because I have no doubt that he has strengthened it, at least in recent months.”
Murillo, a professor at the School of Public Administration at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the School of International Relations at the National University (UNA), remarked that “we would have to find the reasons for this strengthening or firm rapprochement of this administration with Israel, but the answer to your question is that, to a large degree, Costa Rica’s foreign policy is committed to Israel’s interests.”
However, he did note that the award given to Chaves by the Zionists “is understandable because few governments in the world sign a free trade agreement with Israel, and Costa Rica, in particular, does not have significant bilateral trade.”
For his part, Nicolás Boeglin, a UCR professor specializing in public international law, considered that Costa Rica “is aligning itself more than ever with the positions of Israel and the United States, and this has been the case for several years.”
As an example, he mentioned the establishment of the aforementioned “trade office” (which he put in quotation marks) with diplomatic rank in Jerusalem “and not Tel Aviv,” and described it as “another provocation to which Costa Rica lends itself, by violating the existing international consensus that Jerusalem cannot be considered the capital of Israel.”
In this regard, he recalled that this was enshrined in UN Resolution 181, which in 1947 recommended the partition of Palestine into two independent states, one Jewish (55% of the territory) and one Arab (45%), with Jerusalem under a special international regime. Boeglin emphasized that Costa Rica voted in favor of the resolution at the time and that, since 2007, it has complied with it by moving its embassy from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.
To delve deeper into the topic, Boeglin referred to his remarks made during the forum “Gaza/Israel: From the Information Blockade to the Blockade of International Justice,” in which, he indicated, he offered “some clues” regarding Costa Rica’s alignment with Israel.
At that event, held in July 2024, the academic pointed out the tepid way in which Costa Rican official statements addressed Israel’s actions. For example, he cited an Israeli bombing of a refugee camp, in which the word “Israel” wasn’t even mentioned.
Boeglin noted that “the fact that Costa Rica and Israel are negotiating a free trade agreement doesn’t explain everything. I can’t believe that the Foreign Trade Commission (Comex) has such influence to force a Foreign Ministry to shamefully remain silent about the principles upon which Costa Rica’s international image has been based.”
He then observed that in the electoral context in which the United States was at that time, “Israel is dragging the United States into this madness, and in this same madness, the Democrats are being led to lose the election to Donald Trump.”
He added that Benjamin Netanyahu’s “great hope” “is that his great friend Donald Trump” will come to power, just as happened.
In other words, Boeglin’s words suggest that Chaves’s alignment with Israel is driven by obedience to Trump’s dictates. Note the participation of Chaves and President-elect Laura Fernández in the recent meeting to establish the so-called Shield of the Americas.
Wajiha Sasa, Honorary Consul of Palestine in Costa Rica, regarding Israeli interference in Costa Rican foreign policy, similarly emphasized that “there is a great deal of pressure; historically, there has been lobbying with most of the parties that have governed this country.”
She observed that this phenomenon occurred in both the National Liberation Party (PLN) and the Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), but stressed that in the case of the PLN, “members of the Zionist Jewish community of Costa Rica played a very important role, and we have seen for the past two years that they are like a bloc with the (Israeli) Embassy.”
“I wouldn’t know if Israel or the United States is pulling the strings, but it’s clear that Costa Rica is ignoring international law. What it’s doing with Jerusalem is betraying all jurisprudence, everything that has been decided regarding Jerusalem’s status,” he said.
Sasa also recalled that Costa Rica “was the first country to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel” when it established its embassy there in 1963. Along with El Salvador, it remained one of only two countries to have diplomatic missions there until 2006, when Óscar Arias, during his second term, announced he would correct a “historical error” and decided to move it to Tel Aviv.
“Years later, that mistake was reversed, and now Costa Rica is doing it again de facto with the location of this (trade) office,” thereby “eliminating any possibility of the recognition it already granted in 2008 of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian state’s right to exist and the Palestinian people’s right to life.”
Therefore, he pointed out that “it is evident that Costa Rica is aligning itself with the discourse spearheaded by the Israeli government and fully supported by the United States, which has taken the lead in making everything Palestinian attackable and erasable.”
Q COSTARICA — The U.S. dollar in Costa Rica has shown a strong downward trend, reaching lows not seen since 2006, with exchange rates below ¢470.
Although the trend has been downward, reaching levels close to ¢470, reaching ¢450 will depend on the supply of dollars and interventions by the Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) — Central Bank.
Key points about the exchange rate:
Constant appreciation: The colón has experienced a sustained appreciation process, falling from ¢600 in 2023 to levels below ¢500 in late 2025 and early 2026.
Influencing factors: The abundance of dollars in the market (due to foreign direct investment, tourism, etc.) causes supply to exceed demand, lowering the exchange rate.
Forecasts: Some analysts expected averages close to ¢527 by the end of 2025, but reality has exceeded expectations with a greater drop.
Reaching ¢450 is technically possible if foreign currency inflows maintain their current pace, although monetary authorities typically take measures to prevent sharp declines that could affect export competitiveness and employment.
The Central Bank has intervened by buying surplus dollars to prevent violent fluctuations and replenish its international reserves.
As of today, March 10, 2026, the exchange rate of the US dollar in Costa Rica is at historically low levels, trading at ¢467.59 for the buy and ¢476.82 for the sell.
Reaching ¢450 is not a projection agreed upon by most analysts, who see it as more likely that the value will remain stable or experience slight downward pressure in the short term.
Daniel Ortiz, economist and director at Consejeros Económicos y Financieros S.A (Cefsa), believes that this abundance of dollars could continue until early April for two reasons. The first is Semana Santa (Holy Week), a time when more tourists arrive in the country, putting downward pressure on prices.
The second reason is that the deadline for paying income tax closes on March 16, which causes multinationals to bring in dollars to settle those obligations.
For Costa Ricans and businesses, the key will be adapting to whichever path the colon takes. Whether it stabilizes above or moves towards ¢450 per dollar, the currency’s trajectory will influence everything from prices at the grocery store to the cost of borrowing.
Q COSTARICA — The regulatory authority on public prices and services, the Autoridad Reguladora de Servicios Públicos (Aresep), announced a new increase in fuel prices as part of an extraordinary adjustment for February.
According to the resolution, diesel will increase by ¢17 colones per liter, while regular gasoline will rise by ¢14 colones per liter and premium gasoline by ¢5 colones per liter.
The only product that will see a price decrease is liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with a 25-pound cylinder decreasing by ¢45 colones.
Aresep explained that the adjustment is in response to the increase in international prices of finished fuels imported by the country through the Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (Recope)—the Costa Rica refinery that refines nothing.
The regulatory authority clarified that this increase does not yet reflect the impact of the rise in crude oil prices caused by the “not war” in the Middle East, as the calculation is based on shipments handled by Recope between January 9 and February 12, 2026.
Nevertheless, the adjustment establishes the baseline from which the country could face further increases in international fuel prices, due to the impact the conflict in the Middle East could have on energy markets.
Authorities indicated that Costa Rica should prepare for a potential escalation in the cost of imported petroleum products.
In Costa Rica, fuel prices are regulated; that is, all gasoline stations offer the same product imported and distributed by Recope at the same price. What can vary is the level of service and additional amenities such as a quick market, rest area, etc.
Just so you know, there aren’t any self-service gas stations in the country—at least, not yet. If you try to pump your own gas, attendants usually get pretty annoyed. These days, most pumps won’t even work unless an attendant activates them first.
The higher fuel prices will take effect once the increase is published in the official government newsletter, La Gaceta, and could be in effect at the pumps by the weekend.
Q24N — There is a growing possibility that a potential transitional government in Venezuela, or even the current factions vying for power, will initiate legal proceedings to recover the billions of dollars that Daniel Ortega managed with impunity.
It highlights how Venezuelan cooperation, initially touted as an engine of development for Nicaragua, ended up being channeled through private entities like Alba Petróleos de Nicaragua (ALBANISA) — a joint venture established in 2007 to manage investment funds derived from oil cooperation between Nicaragua and Venezuela — allowing the ruling family of co-peresidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo and their associates to consolidate an economic empire without accountability or state oversight.
Far from being a closed matter, it represents a critical vulnerability for the Sandinista regime. Experts argue that the legal framework of the oil agreements left enough financial traces for international bodies to track the destination of the “missing” funds.
In a scenario of geopolitical shifts, Nicaragua could face multimillion-dollar lawsuits that would not only compromise the presidential family’s assets abroad but also jeopardize the stability of public finances that have sustained the country’s patronage system.
Although the U.S. has been cautious about closing channels in the fight against drug trafficking, the strategy is changing: sanctions are no longer just against the institution but are now directed at key commanders.
In the short term, the murderous Nicaraguan army remains the pillar of the Ortega-Murillo regime, but its role has been reduced to political control and maintaining the stability of power, abandoning conventional external defense.
In the medium term, the risk is total isolation.
For the militaries of Central America, maintaining ties with the criminal Sandinista army already represents an “operational complication” and a high cost to their international image.
Q COSTARICA — In Costa Rica, the presence of women in medicine continues to grow and consolidate in various areas of the healthcare system.
Currently, 6,582 professionals practice as general practitioners and surgeons, while 2,880 have a specialty, according to data from the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
These figures demonstrate an increasingly diverse female participation in the medical field, both in clinical care and in other areas related to the management and development of the healthcare sector.
In several specialties, the number of women already exceeds that of men.
Among them is Health Services Administration, where there are 733 women compared to 659 men, followed by Health Management, with 315 female professionals compared to 191 men.
A similar situation is observed in Occupational Medicine, where 171 women practice compared to 103 men, as well as in Adult Palliative Care, with 165 female physicians compared to 95 male specialists.
Other areas where women also have a greater presence include anesthesiology and recovery, family and community medicine, geriatrics and gerontology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, epidemiology, general psychiatry, and pediatric anesthesiology.
Women’s advancement is also observed in other areas of the health sector, where they actively participate in research, healthcare management, and the training of new generations of physicians.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons emphasizes that making this data visible allows for the recognition of the contributions of thousands of professionals who contribute daily to the functioning of the health system and the care of the population.
“The increase in women in Costa Rican medicine not only speaks to greater equity, but also to the real strengthening of the human talent that sustains the health system. Many of our colleagues also balance their professional practice with family, academic, and leadership responsibilities, which demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to society and to the quality of care that the population receives,” said Elliott Garita, president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
