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Crime Beat

Judge approves extradition of Mexican drug lord Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán

Infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán is one step closer to extradition to the United States after a Thursday ruling.

Park rangers arrested in drug bust

Two park rangers were among those arrested Monday in a raid on a drug organization that officials say grew and shipped marijuana from southern Costa Rica.

San José to get nearly 100 new security cameras

Araya said the municipality is investing approximately ₡360 million ($647,000) in improving the city’s video surveillance system, which currently has 120 cameras mainly in downtown San José.

Judge orders closure of overcrowded San Sebastián prison

Costa Rica's notorious San Sebastián prison must be closed within 18 months, according to a judge's ruling that cited rampant overcrowding and inhumane conditions at the prison.

Four U.S. men charged in connection with billion-dollar Costa Rica sportsbook operation

Four U.S. men allegedly running The WagerSpot and Hustler247 sportsbooks were charged recently in the U.S. in connection with an illegal sports betting ring headquartered in San José, Costa Rica.

Michigan fugitive John Saatio to be extradited Saturday

Costa Rican authorities said they wanted to extradite Saatio "as soon as possible" to prevent any further attempts at escape.

Video shows suspected killers of Gerardo Cruz, who confronted man filming up skirt

Judicial Investigation Police on Wednesday released a video of two men suspected of killing Gerardo Cruz Barquero, the 22-year-old man who in October became famous for posting a video to his Facebook page of himself confronting a man who had been trying to film up a woman’s skirt with a smartphone camera.

US tourist denounces rape in Puerto Viejo

A U.S. woman filed a criminal complaint against a man who she says raped her last Sunday on a beach in Costa Rica's Caribbean beach town of Puerto Viejo.

Costa Rica homicide rate hits record high

After several years of decreasing or stable homicide rates, the number of killings in Costa Rica spiked in 2015, leading law enforcement officials to call for more aggressive prevention, investigation and prosecution of organized crime.

Boozy bandit tries to steal $50,000 ambulance in Costa Rica

The thought of the holidays might drive some to drink but drinking and stealing an ambulance?
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Salvadorans Create More Than 1 km Salt Carpet During Holy Week

Some 2,000 Salvadorans created a colorful carpet made of dyed salt stretching 1,070 meters, which was used for the Holy Burial procession on Friday...

Costa Rica Tourism Hits New High as Visitor Numbers Rise

Tourism in Costa Rica opened 2026 with its strongest pace yet, as official data showed 653,959 international visitors entered the country in January and...

Guatemalan Navy Intercepts Vessel Transporting Illegal Sailfish

The Guatemalan Army, through its Pacific Naval Command, continues to carry out operations aimed at protecting the country’s natural resources and maintaining security within...

Dangerous Ocean Conditions Persist Across Costa Rica

Dangerous ocean conditions remain in place across Costa Rica as strong currents, rough surf and wind-driven seas continue to affect both the Pacific and...