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FIFA president Gianni Infantino said football is growing “exponentially” in Nicaragua, a country he visited ahead of a Concacaf congress on Sunday and where boxing and baseball have traditionally been the dominant sports. “What’s being done in Nicaragua is truly exceptional (…) Football is the king of sports in the world, and I have to say that here it’s growing exponentially as well,” Infantino said upon arriving in Managua on Friday night. He was received at Augusto C. Sandino International Airport by Maurice Ortega Murillo, son of co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, and by Manuel Quintanilla, president of the Nicaraguan Football Federation (FENIFUT), according to the state-run outlet El 19 Digital. Infantino’s visit was marked by tight secrecy from local authorities and comes in the context of the 41st Concacaf Ordinary Congress, which brings together leaders from the 41 federations in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. During his stay, Infantino playe...

Chile’s president-elect, José Antonio Kast, visited El Salvador’s mega-prison for gang members on Friday and asked President Nayib Bukele for “cooperation” to improve security in Chile’s prisons. Visits to the Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot) are part of the usual protocol for Bukele’s special guests. Bukele has turned the prison into a symbol of the crackdown that pacified the country, but it has also become a target of allegations of human rights abuses. “We want to ask you for cooperation on improving our penitentiary system,” Kast said after meeting Bukele at the government palace, following a tour of Cecot that the Salvadoran president did not attend. However, the future far-right Chilean president added that “we don’t necessarily have to do the same thing because conditions are different,” as his country faces rising crime. For his part, Bukele said that, “differences aside” between the two countries, what El Salvador can do is “contribute its experience.” Kast, who said th...

Over 30 Costa Rican artists have released a video titled “Voces por la democracia” to speak out against authoritarian threats facing the country. The release comes during the final days of the election campaign, just before the presidential vote on February 1, 2026. The video urges people to vote and highlights risks to press freedom. The production features artists such as Sebas Guillem, Pedro Capmany, María Torres, Erick Córdoba, Claudia Barrionuevo, Gladdys Alzate, Tamela Hedström, Ana Coralia Fernández, and Guadalupe Urbina. They share messages about the value of democracy passed down from past generations. The video opens with the line, “Sometimes it’s enough to stop staying silent; voices meet even from afar, and something starts to move.” Participants warn about dangers to freedom in Costa Rica. Tamela Hedström, who has lived in several countries, points out, “I have the privilege and pride of being Costa Rican. I’ve lived in more than four countries and know that democracy, t...

Aryna Sabalenka moved one step closer to her third title at the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over Elina Svitolina in the semifinals on January 28, 2026. The top seed from Belarus defeated the Ukrainian player 6-2, 6-3 in 72 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, setting up a final against Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka broke Svitolina’s serve three times in the first set and kept her under pressure with deep groundstrokes. Svitolina, who returned to form after a career break for motherhood, held early but lost momentum as errors mounted. Sabalenka sealed the match with a forehand winner, improving her record at Melbourne Park to 18 straight wins. She spoke after the match about staying focused on each point, crediting her team for the steady preparation. In the other semifinal, Elena Rybakina outlasted Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6(7) in a match that lasted one hour and 45 minutes. The fifth seed from Kazakhstan took control in the first set with strong serving, breaking Pegula twice. The seco...

Amazon confirmed that its latest round of job cuts has reached Costa Rica, where the company operates one of its largest hubs outside the United States. The reductions form part of a global plan to eliminate 16,000 corporate positions, affecting workers in areas like technology, human resources, and retail support. Local employees reported receiving layoff notices starting as early as 5 a.m. on Wednesday. Several anonymous staff members told Costa Rican media outlets that supervisors informed them during brief meetings, with some learning of their dismissals through emails sent the previous day. One worker described the process as abrupt, noting that access to company systems was revoked shortly after the notification. Amazon has offered affected employees the chance to apply for open internal roles, though sources indicate limited availability. Those unable to secure new positions will receive severance packages tied to their years of service, along with continued benefits for a set...

A Russian family sent from the United States to Costa Rica under shifting U.S. immigration rules continues to navigate legal and personal challenges almost a year later. The family, who left Russia to escape political threats, had arranged an asylum hearing in the U.S. before a policy change led to their detention and sudden deportation. They arrived in Costa Rica without warning, where authorities held them for two months in a migrant center. Conditions there drew criticism, and the country’s Supreme Court later found that the detention breached their rights. Now free, they hold temporary humanitarian status while seeking resolution and possible compensation. The family has settled in Monteverde, a town known for its cloud forests and Quaker community. They work local jobs, study Spanish, and raise their child amid the area’s natural surroundings. “We adapt day by day,” the father said in a recent account, reflecting on their efforts to build stability. This case points to larger p...

Mauren Jiménez cleans houses and cares for sick patients to make ends meet. In her spare time, the 54-year-old community leader does work most people avoid: helping families in Alajuelita bury young men killed in Costa Rica’s drug-linked violence. In the steep streets of her hillside precario in the San José district of Alajuelita, Jiménez says shootings between rival dealers are part of daily life. When a teenager or young man is killed, she steps in to help relatives navigate the morgue, the paperwork, and the costs of a funeral. Last year alone, she assisted the families of about 20 young men, she said, including some who were 14 or 15 years old. Some were gang members; others were bystanders caught in the crossfire. Her goal, she said, is the same in each case: a dignified burial. Costa Rica, long viewed as one of the safer countries in Latin America, has seen a sharp rise in killings linked to drug trafficking. Seven out of ten murders are connected to the drug trade, according...

Novak Djokovic reached the semifinals of the Australian Open on January 27, 2026, when Lorenzo Musetti retired from their quarterfinal match. The Serbian trailed 4-6, 3-6 but led 3-1 in the third set when the Italian pulled out due to a leg injury. Djokovic, the fourth seed, faced a tough start as Musetti, seeded fifth, took control with strong groundstrokes and broke serve multiple times. The match shifted when Musetti showed signs of pain early in the third set and could not continue after medical treatment. This marks Djokovic’s 13th semifinal at Melbourne Park, where he has won 10 titles. The 24-time Grand Slam champion called the outcome lucky but praised Musetti’s play. He now faces Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, a matchup where Sinner holds a recent edge. The day featured the remaining quarterfinals in singles, with players dealing with humid conditions on the outdoor courts. In the other men’s quarterfinal, second seed Jannik Sinner beat eighth seed Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-4, 6...

The Central Bank of Costa Rica has set a deadline for three older coin denominations to leave everyday use. Starting July 1, 2026, the old designs of the ₡5, ₡10, and ₡25 colones coins will no longer serve as legal tender for payments. Officials from the Banco Central de Costa Rica made the announcement this week, giving residents and visitors six months to prepare. The move targets coins that have circulated for years but now face replacement with updated versions. The affected coins include the old ₡5 colones, which the bank stopped minting long ago due to production costs exceeding their face value. The old ₡10 and ₡25 colones designs also fall under the change. After the cutoff date, stores, markets, and other businesses across the country will refuse them for transactions. Newer designs of the ₡10 and ₡25 colones remain in circulation and will continue as valid payment options. These updated coins feature improved materials for better durability and security, part of the bank’s ...

Costa Rica draws praise for its fresh foods, active habits, and solid public health network. But a shift toward heavier weights threatens that picture. Overweight and obesity now touch a major part of our population, driving up risks for long-term illnesses and adding pressure to medical resources. Data from health officials show that about 70% of adults in Costa Rica carry extra weight or live with obesity. Women face higher rates at around 74%, while men stand at 63%. These numbers have climbed over the last 20 years. Experts point to diets heavy in processed items and sweet beverages, desk-bound work, and less movement in cities as key factors. Rates among children have risen too, with roughly 8% of those under five showing overweight. This pattern signals potential spikes in diabetes and heart issues for younger groups ahead. Extra weight links directly to type 2 diabetes, elevated blood pressure, heart conditions, bone strain, and some cancers. These problems already take up a ...

American tennis player Coco Gauff exited the Australian Open after a quick loss to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals. The third-seeded Gauff struggled from the start and could not recover, dropping the match 6-1, 6-2 in under an hour on Rod Laver Arena. Gauff, ranked third in the world, committed 28 unforced errors and served five double faults, which hurt her chances against a focused Svitolina. The Ukrainian broke Gauff’s serve five times and held her own service games without facing a single break point. Svitolina, the 12th seed, played steady tennis, hitting 16 winners while keeping errors low at 11. After the match, Gauff expressed frustration but looked ahead. She smashed her racket in a hallway on her way to the locker room, an action caught on camera that drew attention from fans and media. Gauff later explained it as a way to release emotions, saying it helped her avoid carrying negativity into interviews. This defeat ends Gauff’s run in Melbourne, where she aim...

Travelers planning a visit to Poás Volcano National Park face ongoing disruptions after authorities extended the closure of the site’s main access route. The park, a popular day trip from the Central Valley, shut down on the 21st following severe damage to the bridge over Quebrada Tigre on Route 120 in Poasito. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) closed the bridge preventively at 4 p.m. that day after inspections revealed an imminent risk of collapse. Officials now work to install a temporary modular Bailey bridge next to the damaged structure, a process that could last up to four weeks. While some repairs aim to allow limited passage sooner with restrictions on heavy vehicles, the full timeline depends on site conditions. The National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) confirmed the park’s closure will continue until MOPT reopens the route safely. Initially set to end on the 25th, the shutdown stretched further as work progressed slower than expected. This leaves th...

Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of San Salvador on Sunday, calling for an end to President Nayib Bukele’s state of emergency. The measure, in place since March 2022, has drawn sharp criticism for enabling arrests without warrants and suspending key constitutional rights. The protest coincided with the anniversary of the 1992 peace accords that ended El Salvador’s civil war. Participants from various activist groups marched through downtown, voicing concerns over what they see as democratic erosion under Bukele’s administration. Sonia Urrutia, a spokeswoman for one of the organizing groups, stated, “We demand an end to the state of emergency and the restoration of constitutional guarantees.” Bukele introduced the policy as a response to rising gang violence, granting authorities broad powers to detain suspects. Since then, over 90,000 people have been arrested in the nation of about 6.5 million. Government figures show that roughly 8,000 detainees have been released afte...

Local favorite Alex de Minaur advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open , after a commanding performance against Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik. The sixth-seeded Australian won 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 in just one hour and 39 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, setting up a matchup with world number one Carlos Alcaraz. De Minaur broke Bublik early in the first set and maintained control throughout. He hit 25 winners against only 12 unforced errors, while Bublik struggled with 35 errors. The Australian converted six of nine break points and saved the only one he faced. This marks de Minaur’s second quarterfinal appearance at his home Grand Slam, where he aims to go deeper than his previous best. Bublik entered the match on a nine-match winning streak, including a title in Adelaide, but de Minaur’s speed and consistency overwhelmed him. After a competitive first set, de Minaur won 12 of the last 14 games. “I played solid tennis,” de Minaur said post-match. “I took my chances and stayed focused....

A powerful winter storm hitting parts of the United States and Canada is affecting Costa Rica’s flight schedule, triggering cancellations, suspended itineraries, and lengthy delays at our two main international airports. The system has brought heavy snow and ice to wide sections of North America, along with extreme cold in some areas. When major hub airports slow down or temporarily halt operations, the impact quickly reaches routes to Costa Rica because many flights depend on tight aircraft rotations, crew schedules, and connecting traffic through those hubs. At the San Jose airport, passengers are already seeing the fallout. Several arrivals from storm-affected cities have been canceled or pushed back by hours. Flights from Dallas have been among those affected, and travelers connecting through U.S. hubs have reported missed onward flights as delays stack up earlier in their trips. The Liberia Airport is also feeling pressure, especially given how heavily its peak-season traffic d...

Authorities in Costa Rica investigate the deaths of two women who passed away within five days of each other following cosmetic surgeries at private clinics here. The cases highlight growing worries over safety standards in such facilities, which serve both local residents and foreign patients seeking affordable treatments. The first incident involved Cinthya Carvajal Guevara, a 48-year-old executive. She died on January 15 at Clínica Nova Estética in Rohrmoser, a district in western San José. Carvajal underwent a procedure at the clinic and suffered sudden complications that led to her death on site. Judicial police ( OIJ ) arrived promptly to secure the scene and launch an inquiry. Agents collected evidence, including medical records and witness statements, to determine if negligence or other factors played a role. Just four days later, on January 19, Ivannia Torres Cubillo, 40, from Batán in Limón province, also died after a cosmetic operation. Torres, a teacher in Siquirres, had ...

Leiden University in Netherlands invites applications for vacant PhD, Postdoctoral and Academic Positions, it is the oldest institution

The University of Luxembourg in Luxemburg invites application for vacant Postdoctoral and Research Positions, a public research university

The University of Luxembourg in Luxemburg invites application for vacant PhD, Postdoctoral and Academic Positions, a public research

Costa Rica residents and tourists alike face colder mornings through the weekend, with temperatures in the Valle Central dropping by up to 4 degrees Celsius and higher elevations seeing declines of up to 6 degrees. Cold fronts continue to move through the region, delivering stronger winds and drier air. The National Meteorological Institute notes that low humidity and stable conditions lead to these lower temperatures, particularly in the early hours. In the Valle Central, overnight lows reach the mid-teens Celsius, which makes outdoor activities and commutes feel sharp. Areas such as San José, Alajuela, and Cartago experience the most noticeable shifts, with mornings cooler than typical for January. In higher zones like the Irazú and Poás volcanoes, minimums approach single digits, at times causing frost on plants. Winds intensify the chill, reaching gusts of 60 kilometers per hour in the Valle Central and higher in mountains, which heightens the cold feel. This trend links to the ...

Patients at San Carlos Hospital in northern Costa Rica are facing staggering delays for medical appointments, with some waits stretching as far as 26 years into the future. The situation has prompted swift action from the Defensoría de los Habitantes, our country’s ombudsman’s office, which is demanding answers from hospital officials and pushing for systemic changes to address what it describes as a severe breach of the right to timely healthcare. The issue came to light through at least 10 documented complaints received by the Defensoría, highlighting “disproportionate and unreasonable” waiting times for orthopedic services. Patients needing corrective procedures, such as joint surgeries or treatments for musculoskeletal issues, have been assigned dates ranging from 2030 to 2052. Specific examples include appointments set for 2033, 2044, 2045, 2047, and 2050, according to official data shared with the ombudsman’s office. Angie Cruickshank, the Ombudswoman, didn’t mince words in her...

Sebastian Baez’s strong start to the 2026 season hit a roadblock on Thursday at the Australian Open, where the Argentine fell in the second round to Italy’s Luciano Darderi in a hard-fought four-set battle. The 36th-ranked Baez, who arrived in Melbourne with an 8-1 record and fresh off a runner-up finish in Auckland, couldn’t sustain his momentum against the 22nd-seeded Darderi, who prevailed 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 after two hours and 28 minutes on Court 6. Baez, 25, had shown flashes of the form that carried him through early-season wins over top-10 players like Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz. His first-round victory here—a grueling five-setter against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard—suggested he was ready to build on that. But Darderi, a 23-year-old with Argentine roots who represents Italy, proved too consistent in the key moments. The match swung back and forth, with Baez dominating the second set but unable to convert opportunities in the third and fourth. Darderi broke Baez early...

The recent spike in gang violence in Guatemala has exposed weaknesses in the country’s security apparatus, but it has also fueled allegations of a plot against the government aimed at shielding a long-denounced alliance between politicians and criminal networks. After ten police officers were killed over the weekend in retaliation for the state’s takeover of three prisons where gang members had taken dozens of hostages, President Bernardo Arévalo, a social democrat, declared a state of siege, the country’s second most severe emergency measure after a state of war. There is “zero control” over the prison system, said former anti-gang prosecutor Juan Francisco Solórzano, who questioned why intelligence services failed to anticipate the attacks. The criminal offensive “is not accidental; it reflects deliberate operations driven by political-criminal networks,” argued former anti-corruption prosecutor Juan Francisco Sandoval, who has been living in exile in the United States since 2021. ...

Our country will transform into a hub for performing arts this April as it hosts the first Ibero-American Theater Festival, known as FITCR. Running from April 10 to 19, the event draws theater companies from across Latin America and Europe to showcase works that highlight shared cultural ties and contemporary issues. Organized by the Ministry of Culture and Yout h, FITCR aims to revive theater as a key form of artistic expression. It positions Costa Rica as a central point for creative exchange in the region. Groups from Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Honduras, El Salvador, Peru, Mexico, Uruguay, Spain, and local Costa Rican ensembles will participate, offering a mix of performances that reflect diverse perspectives. The festival dedicates its debut to Lucho Barahona, a playwright, actor, and educator who left a lasting mark on Costa Rican theater. Barahona’s work shaped generations of artists and viewers through his focus on freedom, critical thought, and human depth. Minister of Cultu...

The cruise ship Brilliant Lady from Virgin Voyages docked for the first time at Puerto Hernán Garrón Salazar in Limón on January 19, marking a new chapter for cruise tourism here. The arrival highlights Costa Rica’s growing appeal to premium cruise lines that prioritize adult travelers and sustainable practices. The vessel, which launched in September 2025, carries up to 2,770 passengers and 1,160 crew members across 1,300 cabins. It offers 20 dining venues, over 10 bars and lounges, pools, a spa, and fitness facilities. Virgin Voyages targets adults only, emphasizing tailored trips with modern aesthetics, fine food, health-focused activities, and live shows. Officials from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) described the event as a key step in drawing high-value cruise segments. “This arrival stands out for the Costa Rican Caribbean and supports our plan to attract forward-thinking parts of the cruise market,” the ICT noted in a statement. They pointed to the ship’s focus on au...

Nicaragua’s flagship cigar-industry event, the Puro Sabor Nicaraguan Cigar Festival (now in its 13th edition), is captivating enthusiasts and international visitors with an immersive program of factory tours, tobacco farm visits, tastings, pairings, and gala celebrations. The festival runs January 18–24, 2026, with the core cigar-focused activities centered in Estelí, the undisputed capital of Nicaragua’s premium cigar industry. Attendees have already enjoyed welcomes in Managua, a trip to colonial Granada (including islet boat tours on Lake Cocibolca and cultural heritage walks), and today’s guided explorations of Granada’s historic sites and chocolate factories. On January 21, the group heads north to Estelí for the heart of the experience: lunch at a partner tobacco farm in San Isidro, followed by a special cigar-and-coffee pairing and tasting at AJ Fernández’s farm and an official Estelí welcome dinner. Over the following days (January 22–23), participants will tour farms and fa...

A powerful cold front, known as Empuje Frío #11, is sweeping across the Caribbean Sea and is set to bring intensified rainfall and strong winds to various regions of Costa Rica over the next few days. According to the National Meteorological Institute (IMN), the system is already influencing weather patterns, with conditions expected to peak between Sunday evening and Monday. Experts from the IMN forecast that wind gusts could exceed 100 kilometers per hour in some areas, particularly in northern Guanacaste and mountainous zones. In the Central Valley and lower parts of Guanacaste, gusts are anticipated to range between 50 and 75 km/h on Sunday evening, escalating to potentially 90 km/h or more in higher elevations by Monday. Residents in these regions are advised to secure outdoor items and prepare for possible power outages or travel disruptions due to the high winds. The cold front is also expected to increase atmospheric pressure across Central America, drawing in moisture that w...

Harvard University in United States invites application for vacant Postdoctoral and Research Positions, a private Ivy League research

Last Wednesday, the carcasses of ten wild pigs were found slaughtered inside the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve on the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa Rica. The organized group Rancho Quemado Community Biological Monitoring reported the incident on social media. Their intention is to expose the fact that hunting continues in the community of Vanegas, which borders the reserve, despite the species being endangered. In addition, the group is calling on the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) to pay greater attention to the problem, particularly by assigning more personnel to the refuge. According to the group’s complaint, there are currently only two park rangers responsible for 149,500 hectares. The refuge also borders major national parks such as Corcovado and Peñas Blancas. Since 2015, the Biological Monitoring Movement has been conducting on-site monitoring of wild pig herds and other animals. The goal has been to increase the population at a critical moment for the species’ ...

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden invites application for vacant PhD Scholarships, a workplace that has a

Gang groups rioted on Saturday in several Guatemalan prisons, where they have been protesting since 2025 over the transfer of their leaders to a maximum-security facility, authorities said. The Barrio 18 gang and its rival, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) both designated as “terrorist” organizations by the United States and Guatemala are accused of contract killings, extortion, and drug trafficking. In 2025, authorities moved the main gang bosses to a maximum-security prison where they are kept in isolation. Since then, gang members have staged riots demanding the return of their leaders. In a statement, the Interior Ministry said the “disturbances” are “a direct reaction to firm decisions” to “strip leaders of criminal structures of privileges and refuse to yield to their pressure.” “Guatemala does not negotiate with terrorists or organized crime,” the statement added, saying police and the army are carrying out operations to “fully restore order.” Guatemala’s firefighters said they dispa...

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 protected zones during the recent holiday period. Between late December 2025 and early January 2026, authorities identified 408 individuals entering these areas through unofficial routes, with volcanic sites bearing the brunt of the violations. The operations, conducted over the end-of-year transition, revealed that places with volcanic features saw the highest number of illegal entries. These locations present added hazards because several volcanoes remain active, increasing the chances of accidents for those who ignore restrictions. SINAC reports that such actions not only break established rules but also expose people to serious threats, including unstable terrain and potential eruptions. Among the hardest-hit sites, Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú recorded 200 unauthorized entries, accounting for nearly half of the total det...

Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden invites application for vacant Postdoctoral Scholarships, a Swedish university located in Gothenburg,

Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden invites application for vacant PhD Scholarships, a Swedish university located in Gothenburg,