Tamales in Costa Rica – A Christmas Tradition..

Tamales, a staple of Christmas in Costa Rica dating back to pre-Columbian times, see an estimated consumption of 196 million pairs in December. Traditionally wrapped in banana or plantain leaves, these tamales contain seasoned masa, vegetables, and usually pork. A University of Costa Rica study found that 91.3% of Ticos engage in this tradition, with 62% preparing them at home, spending about $50 for 50 tamales. The cherished custom of the tamaleada brings friends and family together to enjoy tamales, coffee, and conversation, underscoring its role in Costa Rican Christmas celebrations…

Drug Gangs Target Businesses in Costa Rica..

In Costa Rica, a surge in extortion cases has been reported, primarily by two criminal gangs, Los Lara in San Jose and Diablo across the Caribbean. Jose Solano from the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) notes that extortionists often obtain phone numbers from advertisements and social networks, falsely claiming ties to international cartels, and demanding large sums, typically over ten million colones, via Sinpe mobile or international transfers. As of November 2, there were 686 registered complaints. Solano warns against “gota a gota” loans, where small loans incur high weekly repayments, advising to avoid these loans, document lender details, and report any incidents to authorities…

Costa Rica’s Unprecedented Heat..

November 2023 was recorded as the hottest November since 1940, with temperatures in Costa Rica 1.0°C above normal, as reported by the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN). This follows a trend of warmer conditions nationwide since May. The European observatory Copernicus also noted that globally, November 2023 was the warmest on record, exceeding a 0.85°C increase. Climate change, El Niño, and rising temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea are cited as primary causes. Experts anticipate a 1 to 2 degrees increase in temperatures in Costa Rica over the next three months, especially in the Central Pacific, North Pacific, and Central Valley regions. Furthermore, Guanacaste experienced an 88% surplus in rainfall, attributed to the significant warming of the Caribbean Sea waters…

Costa Rica Bans Toxic Pesticide Chlorothalonil.. 

On May 31st, 2023, Costa Rica banned the pesticide chlorothalonil, following a decree by President Rodrigo Chaves. Widely used on various crops, chlorothalonil has been a subject of environmental concern due to its persistence and potential negative impacts, including being classified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and concerns about groundwater contamination noted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The ban was enacted after a technical report by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and Energy, and the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewerage, and was mandated by the Constitutional Chamber. The Ministries of Health, Environment and Energy, and Agriculture and Livestock are collaborating to develop a comprehensive pesticide management policy, a move hailed as a significant victory by environmental lawyer Alvaro Sagot…