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Chiquita Brands Leaves Panama Amid Protests, Talks Underway to Resume

AFP
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Chiquita Brands Leaves Panama Amid Protests, Talks Underway to Resume

Laid-off workers from the U.S.-based banana company Chiquita Brands said on Monday that they are hoping for the company’s return to Panama, after it halted operations in the country due to millions in losses caused by two months of protests. Chiquita laid off more than 6,500 employees at its plant in Changuinola, in the Caribbean province of Bocas del Toro, after workers went on strike on April 28 and blocked roads in opposition to a pension reform.

“Workers are desperate because those who worked for Chiquita depended on their daily labor,” said Héctor Palacio, who lost his job after 14 years at the company. “The situation is very tough for us because we’ve already gone two months without work, and little by little, it’s drained the few savings we had,” said Arcelio Valencia, who also lost his job at the banana company.

Due to the strike, Chiquita halted its operations in Panama and, a month ago, estimated its losses at over $75 million. Now the workers are urging the government to open talks with the company to resume operations. “There is no other industry that can provide 7,000 jobs in the province,” so it is “very necessary” to reach an agreement for Chiquita to “continue the production process” in Panama, said Palacio.

On Monday, the Panamanian government announced the reopening of all roads in the province, where it had suspended freedom of movement and assembly for 10 days to calm the protests. Bocas del Toro is a region of more than 100,000 inhabitants that relies mainly on tourism and bananas, which became the country’s top export after the 2023 court-ordered shutdown of a copper mine.

Bananas accounted for 17.5% of Panama’s exports in the first quarter of this year, according to official figures. Minister of Commerce and Industry, Julio Moltó, stated that the government is in “talks” with Chiquita to see how to “not only ensure the company stays, but also invests more so we can continue supporting this major export industry.”

However, “this will take some time,” as the plantations “have deteriorated significantly and the fruit has been damaged,” Moltó told Telemetro.

Costa Rica Identified as Key Maritime Route for Cocaine Trafficking

Tico Times
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Costa Rica Identified as Key Maritime Route for Cocaine Trafficking

Costa Rica appears among the main maritime and aerial routes for cocaine trafficking between South and North America, according to the World Drug Report 2025 published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The maps included in the report, based on data from 2023 and 2024, highlight major cocaine transit routes in the Americas. Most Central American countries, including Costa Rica, are part of these corridors. In the Pacific, Costa Rica lies along a major route used to transport cocaine from Ecuador. On the Caribbean side, drug flows are mainly tied to shipments from Colombia.

The report also points to an aerial trafficking component, with routes connecting Costa Rica and Nicaragua. In addition, it shows links between Costa Rican territory and cocaine shipments headed to Europe by sea.

Cocaine remains the illicit drug with the highest market growth worldwide. The UNODC noted that global cocaine production soared to 3,708 tons in 2023, a 34% increase compared to 2022. Seizures reached a record 2,275 tons, up 68% from the 2019-2023 period. Meanwhile, consumption has grown from 17 million users in 2013 to 25 million in 2023.

Following a temporary slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, the global cocaine market has resumed its upward trend. Both production and demand are on the rise, with Europe experiencing a particular surge in problematic use and demand for treatment since 2015.

The Costa Rican Drug Institute (ICD) acknowledged the country’s inclusion in the report and stated that authorities are working tirelessly to address the problem. They also pointed towards new reforms, such as the constitutional ammendment to allow extraditions, which aims to curb this issue. 

Security experts and regional analysts agree that Costa Rica’s strategic geographic position places it on the radar of international drug trafficking networks. The impact is reflected in significant seizures by Costa Rican authorities and the country’s ongoing efforts in interdiction, surveillance, and cross-border cooperation.

The UNODC report underscores the growing complexity of drug trafficking in the Americas, with criminal organizations expanding their reach across land, sea, and air routes. For countries like Costa Rica, located at a hemispheric crossroads, the challenges of combating organized crime and protecting national and regional security continue to intensify.

Costa Rica to Launch Electric Air Taxis for Sustainable Travel in Guanacaste

Tico Times
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Costa Rica to Launch Electric Air Taxis for Sustainable Travel in Guanacaste

Costa Rica is poised to revolutionize its transportation landscape with the introduction of electric air taxis, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional ground travel for both tourists and residents. This innovative leap forward comes as a result of a landmark partnership between Eve Air Mobility, Aerosolutions, and Bluenest by Globalvia.

The agreement, announced in June, includes the potential sale of up to 50 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from Eve Air Mobility. These futuristic vehicles are designed for short, efficient trips and will be supported by Eve’s TechCare services, which provide comprehensive support for operations, maintenance, and customer experience. The partnership aims to create an advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem in Costa Rica, focusing initially on the Pacific coast—particularly the province of Guanacaste, known for its beaches, eco-lodges, and popularity with international tourists.

The planned routes will connect airports with resorts and nature destinations over distances of 20 to 50 kilometers. This is expected to offer a significant improvement in travel times, especially in areas with poorly maintained roads and high vehicle demand. Costa Rica welcomes over three million foreign visitors each year, and the introduction of air taxi services could have a transformative impact on the tourism experience.

“We are excited to see how our eVTOL can transform mobility in regions like Guanacaste, relieving congestion and strengthening the country’s leadership in ecotourism,” said Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve Air Mobility. Megha Bhatia, Chief Commercial Officer at Eve, explained that the agreement enables Aerosolutions, operator of Aeros Electric Airlines, to integrate Eve’s aircraft into its operations. “This partnership allows the company to offer faster, more efficient, and sustainable travel options, especially in areas with limited routes,” she said.

Bluenest, the advanced mobility unit of Globalvia and operator of Route 27 (Autopista del Sol), will provide the necessary infrastructure to support safe, sustainable operations. This includes the development of vertiports—specialized facilities for eVTOL takeoff and landing—and integration with existing ground transportation systems. “This is a key step in Costa Rica’s commitment to sustainable tourism,” said Antonio Mota, CEO of Aerosolutions.

The project also includes collaborative workshops to address essential components like vertiport development, airspace integration, pilot training, and operational certification. These efforts will ensure all stakeholders are aligned in delivering a safe, reliable, and sustainable air mobility ecosystem.

Eve’s eVTOL features a lift+cruise design, with eight vertical propellers and fixed wings for horizontal flight. The electric propulsion system is built with safety redundancies and is currently undergoing rigorous testing to validate its performance ahead of commercial deployment.

With its focus on sustainability, innovation, and integration, our country is set to become a leader in advanced air mobility in Latin America.

Retired Nicaraguan Army Captain Sentenced to 50 Years for Treason

AFP
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Retired Nicaraguan Army Captain Sentenced to 50 Years for Treason

A retired military officer was sentenced to 50 years in prison in Nicaragua for the crime of “treason against the homeland,” his family denounced on Saturday, saying they had not known his whereabouts since he was detained by police in May. Retired captain Aníbal Rivas Reed, 61, “was tried in an arbitrary trial and sentenced to 50 years in prison,” said family members and friends of the former military officer in a statement posted on X.

“Fifty years in prison for ‘treason against the homeland,’ the same homeland that they [the government] desecrate, loot, violate, and expel,” wrote his daughter, Sadie Rivas, on the social network. Rivas Reed’s whereabouts were confirmed on Friday, leading relatives to learn of the sentence. The specific prison was not disclosed in the statement.

The government of co-presidents and spouses Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo maintains tight control over Nicaraguan society following the 2018 opposition protests, which they claimed were a U.S.-backed coup attempt. The crackdown on the demonstrations left over 300 dead, according to the UN.

Rivas Reed was detained on May 17, in the city of Matagalpa in northern Nicaragua. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) granted him precautionary measures on Friday, citing that he “faces a situation of gravity and urgency.” The IACHR resolution noted that the officer’s relatives said a police “official” in Matagalpa informed them he was transferred to a prison in Managua following his arrest.

“We are deeply alarmed that [Rivas Reed] is being held in solitary confinement, locked in a small, completely enclosed cell in total isolation, without the possibility of speaking or going outside into the sunlight,” the family added. “We denounce that prolonged isolation constitutes a cruel, inhuman, and degrading form of punishment, equivalent to torture under international standards,” they stated.

Life After MS-13 in El Salvador as Residents Seek a Fragile Peace

AFP
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Life After MS-13 in El Salvador as Residents Seek a Fragile Peace

Esperanza Martinez lost three relatives who were murdered and saw numerous bodies left in the streets of her neighborhood, a former stronghold of the notorious MS-13 street gang in El Salvador. While she has lived more peacefully lately, she remains on alert: gang members are “hidden, but still there,” she whispered.

The 10 de Octubre neighborhood of San Marcos near the Salvadoran capital has been transformed in the three years since President Nayib Bukele launched a “war” on gangs that had made the Central American nation one of the most violent in the world. Today, at lunchtime, buyers bustle in front of market stalls, a motorcyclist makes food deliveries, and a woman sits in the back of a dilapidated pickup truck selling slushies.

It is a scene that was unthinkable just a few years ago, when no intruders were tolerated in the vast areas of El Salvador controlled by Mara Salvatrucha — commonly known as MS-13 — and rival gang Barrio 18. “Many people entered here and never left. I saw dead people lying there, shot or stabbed. There’s a clandestine cemetery on the hill,” said Martinez, who has spent 34 of her 65 years in the neighborhood.

Law-abiding residents had to lock themselves indoors at night, she recalled. Her 12-year-old niece was murdered for refusing to become a gang member, her mother suffered the same fate for trying to defend her, and her sister’s husband was killed for not paying an extortion demand.

One of Martinez’s three daughters emigrated to the United States at the age of 17 to escape death threats.

Murals replace graffiti

The 10 de Octubre neighborhood was once ruled by Elmer Canales Rivera, nicknamed “Hollywood Crook,” one of the leaders of MS-13 who is now in the United States awaiting trial. On the walls, “MS” or “Hollywood” graffiti has been replaced by murals of balloons, butterflies and multicolored flowers.

A giant “N” on a sky-blue background refers to both Bukele (by his first name) and his New Ideas party. The 10 de Octubre neighborhood is one of 11 areas placed under military protection by Bukele following the March 2022 declaration of a state of emergency that led to the arrest of 87,000 people without the need for warrants.

“We will flush out every last hidden terrorist,” the president recently promised as his security forces surrounded a district on the outskirts of San Salvador where officials said gang members were trying to regroup. While there is a risk of the gangs making a comeback, the show of force also reflects Bukele’s desire to keep playing “an important public role,” said Jose Miguel Cruz, an expert on Salvadoran gangs at Florida International University.

Bukele, who began a second presidential term in June 2024, rejects accusations of authoritarianism and claims to have made El Salvador “the safest country in the world.” His harsh crackdown on criminal groups has led to a drastic drop in the homicide rate, making him popular at home.

Human rights organizations, however, have criticized his methods. Amnesty International and local non-governmental organizations such as Cristosal and Socorro Juridico denounce arbitrary arrests, acts of torture, the deaths of about 400 prisoners, and the incarceration of thousands of innocent people.

It is a topic no one wants to discuss in the 10 de Octubre neighborhood.

A little peace

At a roundabout where buses depart, Carlos Sanchez, a 48-year-old car washer, warned: “We mustn’t be careless.”  “Today we have a little peace, but remnants (of gangs) are hidden in the hills,” he said.

MS-13, which has been declared a terrorist organization by the United States, and Barrio 18 controlled 85 percent of the national territory, lived off extortion and drug trafficking, and are estimated to have killed around 200,000 people over three decades, according to Bukele.

“One day, they stabbed a young man to death in a minibus. They wanted to kill my two daughters too because they refused to cooperate. Many complied for fear of reprisals. They used children as lookouts,” Sanchez said.

Gangsters also evicted families from their homes at gunpoint.  “They wanted to take mine, but I managed to talk them out of it,” Antonia Alfaro, 67, said in her small home. “Some are still hanging around, but I have nowhere else to go.”

Costa Rica’s Eyelash Viper Snake Is One of the Most Beautiful

Vincent Losasso
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Costa Rica’s Eyelash Viper Snake Is One of the Most Beautiful

There are at least 141 different species of snakes in Costa Rica. With that large number of species packed into such a tiny nation, one would think that you’d be tripping on serpents every time you stepped out of your front door. Unfortunately for us snake-lovers, that’s not the case. The preferred habitat of many of these species does not include our porches and most do what they can to avoid contact with humans. That being the case, it took me several years to finally run into one of Costa Rica’s most iconic reptiles, the eyelash palm-pitviper.

The eyelash palm-pitviper (Bothriechis schlegelii) is a snake of many names. Its English names include eyelash palm-pitviper, eyelash viper, and Schlegel’s pitviper. Among its many Spanish names are bocaracá común, toboba de pestañas, and, in the case of the yellow individual featured in this article, oropel.

The wide variety of names makes sense for this snake because it comes in a huge variety of colors, so much so that you could easily convince someone that each color morph is its own species of snake. Their rainbow of color variations includes base colors of green, brown, orange, pink, white, and yellow all with blotches, spots and crossbands of various colors. Every time I find a color and pattern that seems as though it can’t be beat, I’ll keep scrolling and find an even more beautiful variation.

The most outstanding physical characteristic that is consistent among all colors of eyelash palm-pitvipers are the raised spine-like scales above each eye. These scales, resembling eyelashes, are thought to aid in camouflage, breaking up the snake’s outline. Another hypothesis says that the spiney scales help to protect their eyes from the roots and vines where they often intertwine their elongated bodies.

These snakes are absent from Costa Rica’s highest points and driest places, preferring to inhabit the wet forests of the lowlands and foothills. They can be found coiled among tree roots on the forest floor, along streams, and among the bromeliads and vines up in the branches of trees. Generally, younger individuals are found in lower parts of the forest where they feed on small lizards and frogs and larger, more mature individuals spend more time higher in the trees seeking heftier prey like small mammals and birds. They subdue their prey with potent venom injected through enlarged, hollow fangs.

I’ve had two interactions with eyelash palm-pitvipers in the field. The first was fleeting and came a few years ago. My wife and I were on a nearly impossible to come by weekend away from the kids, and we decided to hike in Tenorio National Park. On the hike we passed by a juvenile on a broad green leaf. Its coloration is known as the “Christmas morph” because it was a base green with a red pattern. We marveled at it momentarily, and I snapped a picture that has since been lost to the great database in the sky that holds the photos from all of our dead cellphones.

Just last week I had the interaction that inspired this article. I was hiking through the rain with a farm owner and his farmhand, installing a few camera traps in the lush tropical forest. After successfully deploying the cameras, we were walking through cow pastures to return to the homebase. As the farmhand closed a barbed wire gate between two pastures after allowing us to walk through, he let out a little yelp. He called me over and pointed to the post that the gate was attached to and contrasting boldly from the wet, dark brown post was a bright yellow eyelash palm-pitviper.

My companions weren’t particularly thrilled with its presence, but I was truly delighted. It was the most beautiful snake I’ve seen in the wild. I snapped a few quick cell pictures in the rain and gave my uneasy friends every fact that I knew about the snake. I think my reptile-inspired exuberance won them over in the end.

About the Author

Vincent Losasso, founder of Guanacaste Wildlife Monitoring, is a biologist who works with camera traps throughout Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s Pride March 2025 Defies Restrictions and Celebrates Diversity

Tico Times
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Costa Rica’s Pride March 2025 Defies Restrictions and Celebrates Diversity

A large crowd gathered in Paseo Colón, San José, to participate in the LGBTIQ+ Pride March 2025. It began at noon, as people marched from the statue of León Cortés, in the western sector of La Sabana, toward the central building of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), in the heart of the capital.

The march aimed to celebrate that members of the community are free and “not in a closet,” and to defend the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community. With rainbow flags, parades, banners, and artistic expressions, hundreds of people advanced through the main avenues of the city.

Although the government had banned minors from participating in the closing event, this did not dampen the festivities. The current administration claimed the march includes “inappropriate costumes” and “sexualized expressions or expressions of unsuitable content” for minors.

Several parents paraded with signs. One father noted that he brings his young children, so they know that love is for everyone, without distinction. “We do not believe in exclusion. We march to build safe, free, and dignified spaces for all people, and that includes children and adolescents,” said Pride Costa Rica.

There were also banners with political messages, many of them critical of President Rodrigo Chaves’ administration. Although this year it was forbidden for minors to participate in a closing event, the organization decided not to hold it. Instead, artists performed at different points along the route.

“Indeed, there is no closing event. As an organization and as a community, we are not going to lock ourselves in or place ourselves in an armored venue where we can’t be seen. So, all the shows, the artists, and everything else will take place along the entire route,” confirmed Pride Costa Rica.

The march was also joined by representatives from various sectors.There was a group representing families united for the rights of their sons and daughters, members of the Lutheran Church, the diversity section of a Costa Rican union, ANEP, and the diplomatic bloc made up of the United Nations and the Embassies of Mexico, Spain, France, and Germany, among others, participated.

Posters offering “mom hugs” and others reminding that “being who you are is not rebellion, it is resistance” were part of the landscape of a march that unfolded peacefully. One mother drew attention with a heartfelt message that she held as high as she could:

“This mom loves you with all your colors,” her sign read.

Costa Rica Pushes USA to the Brink but Falls in Penalty Heartbreak

Tico Times
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Costa Rica Pushes USA to the Brink but Falls in Penalty Heartbreak

If you just caught the end of the USA vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup quarterfinal, you probably feel like you need another cup of coffee—and maybe a moment to catch your breath. The match, which wrapped up just about half an hour ago, ended in a dramatic penalty shootout after a wild 2-2 draw in regulation. The United States came out on top, 4-3 on penalties, and now moves on to the semifinals.

The game started with Costa Rica looking sharp. In the 12th minute, Francisco Calvo put them ahead from the penalty spot, coolly slotting home after a foul in the box. The early goal set the tone for a tense first half, but the USA gradually found their rhythm. Just before halftime, Diego Luna scored his first international goal to level the match, sending the teams into the break at 1-1.

The second half kicked off with the USA taking the lead almost immediately. Max Arfsten, another young American, made it 2-1 with his first goal for the national team in the 47th minute. For a while, it looked like the USA might cruise to victory. But Costa Rica fought back hard. In the 71st minute, Alonso Martínez tied the game again with a close-range finish, making it 2-2 and setting up a frantic final stretch.

As the clock ticked down, both teams had chances to win it, but neither could find a third goal. The match headed straight to penalties—no extra time in this tournament’s knockout stage. The shootout was as nerve-wracking as you’d expect. The USA missed their first attempt, but Costa Rica couldn’t capitalize. Both teams traded goals until the fourth round, when USA goalkeeper Matt Freese made a huge save. Damion Downs scored the decisive penalty, and the USA advanced to the semifinals.

Key Players and What’s Next

Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas, a veteran with experience at the highest levels of European soccer, was outstanding in goal, making several big saves—including a stop on a penalty in the first half. For the USA, Matt Freese was the hero in the shootout, making three saves to keep his team alive. Malik Tillman, who’s been the USA’s top scorer in the tournament, was quieter tonight but still involved in the attack.

The USA will now face Guatemala in the semifinals, while Mexico takes on Honduras in the other match. Costa Rica’s run in the tournament ends here, but they can hold their heads high after a strong performance against a tough opponent. The USA, meanwhile, keeps its perfect Gold Cup record against Costa Rica intact, but it was far from easy.

If you’re a fan of drama, this match had it all: early goals, comebacks, a penalty shootout, and plenty of reasons to stay glued to your seat—or keep your coffee close. The USA will need to recover quickly before their next match, but for now, fans can enjoy the thrill of a hard-fought win.

Fishing, Wildlife, and History in Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado

Tico Times
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Fishing, Wildlife, and History in Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado


Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado is a magical and charming town. It’s one of the country’s hidden gems, best known for its world-class sport fishing, rich biodiversity, and deep cultural roots. Once a thriving village built on the backs of the fishing, timber, and banana industries, Barra has now shifted to eco-tourism and sport fishing.

Barra’s Rich Cultural History

For longtime residents like Don Francisco and Don Guillermo, the memories of an emerging bustling community, are vivid.
“This place worked 24 hours a day for 15 years straight,” they recalled. At its peak, the village had multiple sawmills and a steady flow of boats shipping timber and bananas to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the United States. The area first became populated in the mid-20th century by Nicaraguan and Colombian migrants, many of whom stayed after failed canal projects or maritime misfortunes.

The economic decline began after the Cuban Revolution, when Cuban businessmen pulled out and left unfinished ventures behind. Despite the downturn, the village maintained its strong community spirit. Electricity only arrived in the early 2000s, and doctors used to fly in by small plane once a month. Residents relied on salting or smoking meat, and ice was imported from Limón by boat.

In the 1980s and 1990s, eco-tourism and sport fishing opened a new chapter for Barra del Colorado. Pioneers like Carlos Barrantes and Bernardo Monge began building lodges, attracting international anglers eager to catch tarpon and snook. This transformed Barra, and small family-owned businesses began opening to meet the growing demand.

In Barra, just like in many small Costa Rican towns, everyone knows each other, adding to its homey feel. Friendliness characterizes its locals, who always welcome travelers with a warm smile. Despite facing many hardships, the people of Barra have managed to transform their hometown into a model for sustainable tourism.

An Untouched Natural Paradise

Barra del Colorado is the perfect place to live an authentic Costa Rican experience. As one of the most remote areas of Costa Rica, it’s ideal for travelers who want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, while also avoiding large tourist crowds. Sport fishing is, without a doubt, its main attraction. Those who love this activity can enjoy hours in one of the world’s most renowned places for tarpon fishing. The peace, the sounds of nature, fresh air, and connection to the ocean make the experience truly unique.

Yet, the region is a combination of rivers, canals, mangroves, and rainforest teeming with wildlife. It’s the habitat of the endangered manatee, as well as caimans, crocodiles, and a variety of fish. Also present are tapirs, jaguars, cougars, monkeys, ocelots, and many other mammals.

Bird lovers will be enchanted by species with striking colors, such as the rainbow-billed toucan, black warbler, green macaw, parrot, trogon or surucúa, osprey, neotropical cormorant, blue heron, tricolored heron, white hawk, moorhen, and red-fronted parrot.
Whether you love fishing, relaxing, or want to immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s magnificent natural paradise, Barra del Colorado offers an unforgettable experience.

Planning Your Visit

Getting to Barra del Colorado used to require a great effort, but the payoff was always worth it. Since there are no roads (so no cars either) you had to drive to Puerto Lindo, leave your vehicle there along, and then take a water taxi to Barra on the Colorado River.
The other options were and still are, charter flights from San José (which can be pricey) or domestic flights with Sansa to Tortuguero followed by an hour and a half boat ride to Barra.

Now, that has all changed. The team at Tarpon Land Lodge (Tarponlandlodge.com) in conjunction with Sansa Airlines are offering Barra as a stop on their flights to and from Tortuguero and Limon! The cost? Just $150 each way! Flights originate in San Jose and require more than one passenger. For more information and to book your flight you need to contact Josue at Tarpon Land Lodge since they are the exclusive booking office for the entire village.

Josue can also help you with information on fishing trips, nature excursions and things to see and do in the last untouched corner of Costa Rica. You can contact him at: +506 8842 7177 or +506 8818 9921

An Expat’s Take: 5 Burning Questions About Life in Costa Rica Right Now

Don Mateo
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An Expat’s Take: 5 Burning Questions About Life in Costa Rica Right Now

Have you been keeping up with the various events taking place in Costa Rica? There is always something interesting going down, and here are five questions related to some of Ticolandia’s biggest stories this week:

1) Will it ever stop raining?

Tropical wave number 10 is presently soaking down much of the country. While that number is not out of the ordinary—in an average rainy season we may see 50 tropical waves—the amount of rain arriving with these waves has been on a level more normal for October, with roaring rivers and flooded streets being a common occurrence.

Some of the worst news comes from the coffee-growing region of Los Santos where 20–25 percent of the coffee harvest will likely be lost, meaning higher prices for our national energy drink.

2) Does Keylor Navas still have some magic left?

Costa Rica’s greatest ever fútbol player, who won multiple titles while defending the goal for two of the top teams in the world—Real Madrid and Paris St Germain—has returned to La Sele, the national team, after resigning his post a couple years back.

He is back in goal during the present Gold Cup and will likely be the starter for the qualifiers for next year’s World Cup. As he will be 39 next year, it remains to be seen if he can summon the cat-quick reflexes that took him to the top in the previous decade.

3) Will President Rodrigo Chaves refrain from campaigning in next year’s elections?

Costa Rican law prohibits an acting president from running for consecutive terms, but the Supreme Election Tribunal took it a step further recently, barring him from any behavior that might influence voters’ decision-making.

For Chaves, a populist with a fervent following who has shown no hesitation when it comes to confrontation with the long-time power structure, this may be like waving a red cape at a bull. This is one story that should only get hotter as next year’s election approaches.

4) How many people will have to make trips to the bank to exchange their old 500 colon coins?

Though it may seem hard to believe, when I first arrived here the largest banknote in circulation was the 1000 colon bill. I used to have a 1 colon coin dated 1968 that was the size and heft of an old US silver dollar.

As the currency devalued, the numbers on the bills got bigger, and what were once bills became coins. Then they changed the design of the bills, from paper to polymer, and those stuck with paper bills when the deadline for removing them from circulation had to go to the banks to exchange them.

Get ready to do the drill again as on July 1, the old 500 colon coin will no longer be usable, replaced by the bimetal coin first introduced in 2021 for Costa Rica’s bicentennial. Get those old 500 colon coins spent before then or get ready to queue up at the bank to exchange them.

5) Will Celso Gamboa be extradited to the US?

Celso Gamboa has been accused of being one of the leaders of a major cocaine smuggling ring. Who is Celso Gamboa? He was once a Supreme Court justice as well as having served as the Minister of Security a decade ago.

Right now he is in a bad way, with a DEA agent allegedly possessing recordings that show he was a kingpin, making millions by using his powerful position to allow passage of cocaine shipments through Costa Rica on the route to the north.

While it seems he may be busted, hold on—right now, from his cell in La Reforma, he claims to be suffering from all of the following: Colon cancer, celiac disease, skin cancer, personality disorder, anxiety, duodenal ulcers, stomach problems due to gastritis, insomnia, depressive disorder, and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

While he is requesting a transfer to a less spartan prison, he may also be laying the groundwork for having his extradition to the US, where he would spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted, denied on health and humanitarian grounds. Stay tuned.

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