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Drug trafficking

Costa Rica dismantles international drug trafficking ring

The 22 people arrested included a police officer and four Coast Guard officers.

Three Ecuadorians sentenced in Costa Rica for drug trafficking

The three men were subject to a short trial after pleading guilty to the charges against them, the Public Ministry stated in a press release on Friday.

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.

Five Costa Ricans caught with 600 kilos of cocaine off Colombian coast

Five Costa Rica men were busted on board the Éxito 1 ship that was hauling 626 kilograms of cocaine on Thursday in Colombian waters.

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.

Costa Rica Coast Guard seizes more than 2 metric tons of cocaine

The four men arrested — three Nicaraguans and a Costa Rican — did not have criminal records. If convicted, they would face up to 20 years in prison.

Police discover 33 illegal landing strips along Pacific coast

One day after a drug plane crashed off the Osa Peninsula, authorities reported the discovery of dozens of illegal airstrips all along Costa Rica's Pacific coast.

Drug plane crashes off Puerto Jiménez in southern Costa Rica

A plane believed to be connected to drug trafficking crashed off the shores of Puerto Jiménez early Tuesday morning. Police found a body floating near the wreckage.

‘El Chapo’ Guzmán and actress Kate del Castillo talked of ‘dream’ meeting in texts

Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán called actress Kate del Castillo "beautiful," while she confessed her "dream" of meeting him in leaked text messages filled with warm exchanges.

Nicaragua seizes cocaine on board small aircraft from Costa Rica

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Nicaraguan authorities on Wednesday seized a shipment of cocaine that was flown into the country aboard a small airplane from Costa Rica after the aircraft landed in a northwestern region of the country. The flight's crew managed to escape, police said.
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Gang Riots Erupt in Guatemala Prisons Over Transfer of Leaders

Gang groups rioted on Saturday in several Guatemalan prisons, where they have been protesting since 2025 over the transfer of their leaders to a...

Costa Rica’s SINAC Sounds Alarm on Unauthorized National Park Entries

Officials from Costa Rica's National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) have raised alarms over a spike in unauthorized entries to national parks and other...

China and U.S. Trade Barbs Over Influence in Costa Rica

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Costa Rica reacted strongly to statements made by the new U.S. ambassador to the country,...

Costa Rica’s Tourism Is Losing Ground to Mexico, Guatemala and Others

The National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) warned that Costa Rica's tourism ended 2025 with a modest 1% increase in international arrivals, a figure that...