AGP Executive Report

Crime and Security: Costa Rica opened a 5,100-inmate maximum-security prison modeled on El Salvador’s mega-prison as killings remain far above pre-surge levels. President Laura Fernández called it a tougher approach to organized crime; rights groups warn that El Salvador’s crackdown has involved arbitrary detention and due-process violations. Tourist Safety: Investigators are tracking a woman suspected of killing a 74-year-old American in Playas del Coco. Authorities say she allegedly used his credit cards after leaving the condo where he was found dead. Regional Basketball: Costa Rica will face Guyana, Jamaica and Nicaragua in the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 pre-qualifiers in Managua, November 27–29; the top two teams advance to the next qualifying round. Diplomacy: India has opened a resident mission in San José, expanding its diplomatic presence in Central America. Tourism: Intrepid Travel added Guanacaste to its 2027 tour offerings, citing demand for lesser-known destinations.

Concert Cancellation: Snoop Dogg’s December 3 Costa Rica show has been canceled, with ticket refunds to be automatic. The promoter’s owner, Don Stockwell, was arrested in a money-laundering investigation; he denies wrongdoing and has not been convicted. Politics: President Laura Fernández told evangelical leaders that God brought her to office to fight organized crime and pledged a Christian values agenda while promising freedom of worship. Crime & Safety: Police are seeking a woman to identify in the investigation into the death of a 74-year-old American found with head injuries in a Playas del Coco condominium. Investigators are examining whether his credit cards were taken. Diplomacy: India has opened a resident embassy in San José to strengthen ties and support cooperation in trade, technology and healthcare. Global Role: Costa Rican Rebeca Grynspan remains a contender to lead the UN, though her support slipped in the latest informal Security Council vote. Everyday Costs: Rents have risen far faster than inflation, though lease rules limit the increases tenants face; a water outage in Heredia is set to affect about 13,000 people.

Diplomacy: India opened a resident mission in San José on October 10, aiming to expand trade, investment and cooperation with Costa Rica. Politics and Faith: President Laura Fernández told evangelical leaders in San José that she believes Jesus Christ brought her to office to fight organized crime. She also pledged religious freedom while promoting Christian values. Vehicle Costs: The 2027 Marchamo’s mandatory insurance component will rise by an average 4.03%, with private-car rates up 5.43% and bus rates up 12.4%; some commercial vehicle categories will pay less. Conservation: Thirteen white-lipped peccaries have been released into Piedras Blancas National Park, where the species had not been seen for 18 years, in an effort to restore the rainforest ecosystem. Travel: Visitors entering Costa Rica should be ready to show a return ticket or proof of onward travel, even if they do not need a visa.

Diplomacy: India has opened a resident mission in Costa Rica to strengthen ties with Central America. Tourism: A 30-room, clothing-optional resort for gay men is set to open in Manuel Antonio in November, adding a new option in a long-popular LGBTQ+ destination. Breeze Airways has also begun twice-weekly nonstop flights between Tampa and San José, restoring the route after 25 years. Conservation: Thirteen white-lipped peccaries have been released into Piedras Blancas National Park, where the species had gone unseen for 18 years. Public Safety: Costa Rica’s prison population reached a record 21,173 adults as authorities prepared to open a 5,100-bed maximum-security facility. In Grecia, rescuers safely evacuated 21 people after a landslide blocked the exit to a food market. Regional Seismic Risk: Panama continues to record aftershocks after its powerful earthquake; officials say tremors could persist for weeks and be felt in Costa Rica.

Wildlife Recovery: Thirteen white-lipped peccaries have been released into Piedras Blancas National Park, where the species had been absent for 18 years. Conservationists say their return could help restore the rainforest’s food chain. Public Safety: Costa Rica’s prison population reached a record 21,173 adults as authorities prepare to open a 5,100-bed maximum-security facility. Regional Quake: Panama continues to record aftershocks from last week’s powerful earthquake, and tremors could persist for weeks; the quake was felt in Costa Rica. Tourism: Breeze Airways is adding San José to its network with a new nonstop route, expanding international connections to Costa Rica. Climate Funding: More than $30 million in regional climate-adaptation funding remains untapped by Costa Rica’s government, despite plans to help producers prepare for climate change.

Environmental Crime: An Interpol sweep across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Costa Rica, led to 233 arrests and linked Amazon destruction to 161 companies. Investigators documented about 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Climate Funding: More than US$30 million earmarked to help Costa Rican producers prepare for climate change remains unused, according to a report on the regional initiative. Guanacaste Water: Costa Rica’s first artificial beach lagoon is operating in drought-prone Guanacaste, drawing water from concessioned wells as the country braces for a severe El Niño dry season. The developer says it runs as a closed circuit and needs only occasional refilling. Regional Quake: Panama’s 7.7-magnitude earthquake and continuing aftershocks have raised concerns across Central America, including Costa Rica, where shaking was felt. Tourism: JW Marriott has opened an all-inclusive resort in Costa Elena, adding another upscale option on Guanacaste’s Pacific coast.

Regional Quake: Panama’s magnitude 7.7 earthquake and a 6.6 aftershock injured at least 27 people and damaged buildings and roads. The tsunami alert that included Costa Rica was lifted; aftershocks could still be felt in the country. Water & Development: Costa Rica’s first artificial beach has opened in drought-prone Guanacaste, using water from three concessioned wells. The developer says its lagoon is a closed system, but its timing raises questions as El Niño brings a severe dry season. Tourism: JW Marriott has opened an all-inclusive resort in Guanacaste’s Costa Elena, adding to a wave of hotel investment in the country. Costa Rica Abroad: Gia Angelique Franceschi placed first runner-up at Miss Asia Pacific International 2026. Economy: Coffee producers warn that the strong colón is forcing job cuts.

Panama Quake: Panama declared a state of emergency after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake injured at least 27 people and damaged homes, schools and roads. More than 100 aftershocks followed, and Costa Rica could feel further tremors in the coming weeks. Costa Rica on the Pageant Stage: Gia Angelique Franceschi finished first runner-up at Miss Asia Pacific International 2026, behind Thailand’s Sasiwararin Atsawahirankarn. Tourism and Transport: Wyndham plans a 168-room hotel in Grecia by 2028, while Transnica has resumed daily San José–Managua bus service under a temporary court ruling. Guanacaste has also welcomed JW Marriott’s first all-inclusive resort. Economic Pressure: Costa Rican coffee producers say the strong colón is driving job cuts, as companies also face pressure to scale back operations.

Earthquake Watch: Panama declared a state of emergency after magnitude 7.7 and 6.6 quakes damaged homes, schools and roads. At least 27 people were injured, with no deaths reported; more than 100 aftershocks followed. Costa Rican seismologists warn tremors may continue for weeks and could be felt in the country. Police Probe: More than 200 Costa Rican officers are under investigation for suspected cartel ties, while President Laura Fernández faces questions over a wanted money-laundering suspect reportedly attending her election celebration. Regional Travel: Transnica has restarted daily San José–Managua bus service under a temporary court ruling as its permit dispute continues. Retirement Appeal: Costa Rica ranked fourth worldwide for retirement in a 2026 index, praised for its tax rules and relatively low pensionado residency requirement.

Regional Emergency: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Panama, damaging buildings and roads and injuring at least 27 people; no deaths were reported. Costa Rica felt the shaking, but the tsunami alert that included its Pacific coast was lifted. Panama Canal traffic continued, while aftershocks were reported. Education: Costa Rica’s population aged 5 to 14 is projected to fall 28% by 2033, one of the steepest declines in the OECD, raising questions about how schools will adapt. Diplomacy: Former Costa Rican vice president Rebeca Grynspan is leading the latest poll in the race to become the next UN secretary-general, though the U.S. opposes the current field of candidates. Tourism: New air routes linking Guanacaste with Austin and Nashville are set to expand travel options for visitors from the United States.

Regional Earthquake: A magnitude 7.7 quake struck Panama, damaging buildings and cutting power. Shaking reached San José, and tsunami alerts initially included Costa Rica; the U.S. warning system later withdrew the threat. Panama reported dozens of aftershocks, while the Panama Canal continued operating. Education: The OECD projects Costa Rica’s population aged 5–14 will fall 28% by 2033, raising pressure to adapt schools as enrollment declines. Government: Ana Elena Pinto was named Costa Rica’s new foreign minister. Transport: Landslides closed Route 32 between San José and Limón, disrupting travel to the Caribbean. Coffee Industry: Producers warn the strong colón is driving job cuts.

Fishing Oversight: The U.S. again flagged Costa Rica for gaps in monitoring longline fleets, citing missing observer coverage from 2022 to 2024. The finding opens consultations, not immediate sanctions. Consumer Costs: Red taxis booked through Uber can cost up to 2.5 times more than UberX, reflecting regulated meter rates; riders see an estimate before booking. Money-Laundering Probe: Two concert producers detained in the Exodus investigation had political contacts, including a reported donation to a presidential party. Authorities have not alleged wrongdoing by the politicians involved. UN Race: Costa Rican Rebeca Grynspan led the latest Security Council poll to choose António Guterres’s successor, with nine votes in favor and six against. Tourism: Marriott has opened its first JW Marriott all-inclusive resort in Guanacaste, a 415-room property at Playa El Jobo. Retirement Appeal: Costa Rica’s Pensionado visa ranked fourth in a global retirement-residency index; applicants need a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 a month.

Residency: Costa Rica’s Pensionado visa ranked fourth worldwide in a 2026 retirement index, which praised its low income requirement and tax advantages. Money-Laundering Probe: New details show two event producers detained in the Exodus investigation had contacts with political figures and campaigns; those connections do not establish wrongdoing by the politicians or parties involved. Tourism: Manuel Antonio National Park ranked 14th among the world’s top beaches in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 readers’ awards. JW Marriott has also opened its first all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica. UN Leadership: Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan led the latest Security Council straw poll for the next UN secretary-general, with nine votes in favor and six against. Environmental Crime: Costa Rica joined an Interpol operation across nine countries that led to 233 arrests and exposed large-scale wildlife and timber trafficking networks.

UN Leadership: Costa Rican nominee Rebeca Grynspan remains the leading candidate for UN secretary-general, though her support slipped in the latest Security Council poll as rival Rafael Grossi moved into second place. Coffee Industry: Producers warn the strong colón is squeezing export earnings and driving job cuts and greater use of machinery on farms. Environment: Costa Rica joined an Interpol operation across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries that led to 233 arrests, recovered more than 1,000 animals and uncovered large-scale illegal logging and wildlife trafficking. Tourism: Corcovado’s Sirena sector is closed to visitors and overnight stays through October because of maintenance and heavy rains; San Pedrillo and La Leona remain open. The new JW Marriott Costa Elena in Guanacaste is the brand’s first all-inclusive resort. Child Poverty: More than 557,000 children in Costa Rica live in poverty, according to a recent report.

UN Leadership Race: Former Costa Rican vice president Rebeca Grynspan remains the frontrunner for UN secretary-general after a fifth Security Council poll, but her support slipped and “discourage” votes doubled, leaving the outcome uncertain. Environmental Crime: An Interpol crackdown across nine countries, including Costa Rica, led to 233 arrests, rescued more than 1,000 animals and uncovered 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest; Costa Rican authorities seized 4.6 tonnes of cyanide. Child Poverty: A new study estimates more than 557,000 Costa Rican minors live in poverty, including nearly 290,000 in extreme poverty. Extradition Case: Guobin Tam Zhang, a naturalized Costa Rican wanted by the U.S. over alleged drug trafficking and money laundering, will remain in maximum-security custody as courts consider his extradition. Trade Debate: The opposition PLN says it will vote against joining the Pacific trade pact, citing risks to local farmers and producers. Tourism: Marriott has opened its first all-inclusive JW Marriott resort in Guanacaste, with 415 rooms and a large pool complex.

Deportation Case in Limbo: A federal hearing over whether Kilmar Ábrego Garcia—wrongfully deported by the Trump administration to El Salvador—can be sent to Liberia was abruptly canceled in Maryland, with no clear explanation from the court. Environmental Crime Crackdown: Interpol says a two-month operation across nine countries led to 233 arrests tied to illegal logging, gold mining and wildlife trafficking, including suspected links to dozens of companies and financial networks. Conservation Win for Costa Rica: Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve became the first private reserve in Latin America to be recognized on the IUCN Green List for effective, equitable management. Tourism & Luxury: JW Marriott opened its first-ever all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica—Costa Elena Resort & Spa in Guanacaste—bringing 415 rooms and 17 pools. Regional Security Watch: Costa Rica is set to inaugurate a new high-containment prison for organized crime on Oct. 14, as debate grows over whether tougher detention can restore public safety. International Diplomacy: Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan remains in the running for UN secretary-general after a fourth straw poll, but the Security Council still lacks consensus.