AGP Executive Report

Ghost Shark Discovery: Costa Rican scientists say they may have found a new ghost shark species in Pacific waters near Cabo Blanco and Cano Island, based on a shorter snout, darker pattern, and a longer dorsal spine, with genetic work suggesting it doesn’t reproduce with known relatives—though comparisons with similar specimens from Peru and Chile are still ongoing. Dengue Update: Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health reports 1,411 cumulative dengue cases in 2026, with a sustained rise in recent weeks as mosquito conditions improve; 24 cases are flagged as dengue with warning signs. Venezuela Earthquake Rescue (Costa Rica in the mix): After eight days trapped under rubble at the Galerías Playa Grande mall in La Guaira, Venezuelan security guard Hernán Gil was pulled alive in a complex, multi-country operation that included Costa Rican rescuers; officials say he’s stable and receiving care. Public Safety & Crime: Evangelical lawmaker Gonzalo Ramírez is leading Congress’s security and drug trafficking commission, pushing to speed up reforms as organized crime evolves. Aging & Care Costs: Research highlights how private elder care in Costa Rica can run from about ₡500,000 to ₡1.6 million per month, often leaving families to cover gaps beyond pensions. Infrastructure Watch (Limón): Former President Rodrigo Chaves will coordinate the next execution phase of the Limón marina and cruise terminal project after a new law expands Japdeva’s ability to form strategic partnerships. Prison Deadline Shift: Costa Rica’s CACCO mega-prison for organized crime will miss the end-of-July finish date, moving to staged delivery with full completion projected around September. Archaeology vs Development: Work at a PriceSmart construction site in Santo Domingo de Heredia may be paused after possible archaeological material was found, prompting the National Museum to ask environmental authorities for immediate suspension and specialist review.

Ghost Shark Discovery: Costa Rican scientists say they may have found a new ghost shark species in Pacific waters near Cabo Blanco and Cano Island, based on a shorter snout, darker patterning, and a longer dorsal spine, with genetic work suggesting it doesn’t reproduce with known relatives—though comparisons with similar specimens from Peru and Chile are still ongoing. Dengue Update: Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health reports 1,411 cumulative dengue cases in 2026, with a sustained rise since May that has pushed the curve above the historical average, plus 24 “dengue with warning signs” cases needing close monitoring. Limón Marina Push: Former President Rodrigo Chaves will coordinate the next execution phase of the nearly $900 million Limón marina and cruise terminal project after a new law lets Japdeva form strategic alliances for major infrastructure. Elder Care Costs: Research highlights how private long-stay elder care can run from ₡500,000 to ₡1.6 million per month, often leaving families to cover gaps beyond pensions. Venezuela Rescue Link: Costa Rican Red Cross teams helped rescue Venezuelan security guard Hernán Gil after eight days trapped under rubble, a story credited with bringing hope amid the disaster.

Elder Care Costs: Private long-stay elder care in Costa Rica can run from ₡500,000 to ₡1.6 million a month, often leaving families to cover gaps as the population ages and many seniors lack pension coverage. Prison Deadline Slip: Costa Rica’s mega high-security prison for organized crime suspects (CACCO) won’t be fully ready by the end of July; officials now say delivery will come in stages, with full completion projected around September. Eco-Travel Scrutiny: Luxury travel’s “eco-friendly” claims face tougher questions as more travelers doubt green badges and demand real standards behind sustainability marketing. Venezuela Quake Rescue (Costa Rican Role): In a rare moment of hope after twin earthquakes, Venezuelan security guard Hernán Alberto Gil Flores was pulled alive after eight days under rubble at Galerías Playa Grande; Costa Rican rescuers helped lead the international operation, and he was taken for medical care in Caracas. Archaeology vs Development: Work at a PriceSmart site in Santo Domingo de Heredia could be paused after possible archaeological material was found, prompting the National Museum to ask environmental authorities to halt earth movement for specialist review. Security Reform Push: Evangelical lawmaker Gonzalo Ramírez is leading Congress’s security and drug trafficking commission, urging faster legislative action to adapt the penal and judicial system to evolving organized crime.

Venezuela Quake Rescue: Costa Rican Red Cross paramedic Allan Madrigal helped save Hernán Alberto Gil Flores, a 43-year-old security guard trapped under rubble at the Galerías Playa Grande mall in La Guaira for eight days, freed after more than 100 hours of work by teams from seven countries; he was stabilized and taken to medical care in Caracas. Local Oversight: Costa Rica’s National Museum asked environmental authorities to temporarily halt earth movement at a PriceSmart construction site in Santo Domingo de Heredia after archaeological material was found, urging a specialist inspection before work resumes. Science & Culture: Starmus 2026 will return to Tenerife in October with a major lineup including Brian May, Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, alongside scientists and astronauts. Security Policy: Evangelical lawmaker Gonzalo Ramírez is leading Costa Rica’s Commission on Security and Drug Trafficking, pushing faster legislative action to adapt the justice system to organized crime.

Venezuela Quake Rescue: Costa Rican Red Cross teams helped free 43-year-old security guard Hernán Alberto Gil Flores from the rubble of the Galerías Playa Grande shopping center in La Guaira, after he was trapped since June 24—about eight days—surviving thanks to a pocket of air in his booth; rescuers from multiple countries cheered as he was taken to an ambulance. Security & Crime Policy: Evangelical lawmaker Gonzalo Ramírez Zamora is leading Costa Rica’s Commission on Security and Drug Trafficking, pushing to speed up executive security bills and update penal and judicial rules as organized crime adapts. Energy Policy: Costa Rica’s MINAE says the plan to sell premium gasoline blended with 10% ethanol is delayed because RECOPE must prepare supply and ethanol procurement via international tender lacks a firm 2027 start date. Wildlife & Science: A Costa Rica-linked study highlights how insect diversity may be far higher than long assumed, using intensive sampling in the Área de Conservación Guanacaste.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Costa Rica is ramping up help after the June 24 quakes, sending a second rescue team of 48 specialists and 12 tons of equipment as the death toll climbs and teams work in unstable rubble. Public Safety & Crime: Costa Rica warns wildlife trafficking is shifting toward organized-crime style operations, with traffickers using roles, routes, and markets that could attract higher-level criminal groups. Energy Policy: MINAE says plans to sell premium gasoline blended with 10% ethanol will be delayed, with no guaranteed 2027 start as supply and ethanol procurement timelines remain unclear. Digital Services: Costa Rica’s Digital Identity (IDC) is expanding, enabling remote procedures and identity checks across more public and private services. Education Watch: The mid-year school break is raising dropout concerns, with specialists warning students at risk may not return after the July vacation. Tourism Signals: International arrivals are growing overall, but San José’s airport saw a slight decline in May while Liberia gained share.

Fuel Policy Update: Costa Rica’s plan to sell premium gasoline blended with 10% ethanol is still alive, but the launch is no longer guaranteed for 2027 as RECOPE must line up supplies and an international ethanol tender is expected to take about a year. Public Safety & Justice: The OIJ says Interpol issued international alerts to locate two women tied to the “Riverside” case, including the wife of “Pecho de Rata,” with last known locations reported as Switzerland. Digital Economy: Tax authorities will require taxpayers to register all SINPE Móvil numbers with the Ministry of Finance to curb tax evasion, with officials stressing it won’t create new taxes or fees. Disaster Response: Costa Rica is sending a second Venezuela earthquake rescue team of 48 specialists as the death toll climbs, while the Foreign Ministry says no Costa Ricans were injured or killed. Environment & Wildlife: Prosecutors warn wildlife trafficking is becoming organized like other serious crimes, and scientists also confirmed a new ghost shark species off Costa Rica’s coast. Tourism Watch: San José airport saw a 1.4% drop in international arrivals in May, while Liberia grew 12%, shifting demand toward Guanacaste.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Costa Rica is sending a second rescue team to earthquake-stricken Venezuela, with 48 specialists and 12 tons of equipment joining the first wave as the death toll climbs and survivors are still being pulled from rubble. Public Safety & Crime: Costa Rica warns wildlife trafficking is shifting toward organized crime, with prosecutors saying networks now use defined roles, routes, and markets. Science & Wildlife: A new study confirms a rare ghost shark species off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, adding to deep-sea biodiversity knowledge. Health & Fraud: The OIJ says cyber fraud targeting seniors is using urgency, stolen public data, and fake municipal “tax refund” schemes to pressure victims into sharing access. Economy & Tourism: San José’s airport saw a slight drop in international arrivals in May while Liberia grew faster, signaling a competitiveness shift toward Guanacaste. Agriculture & Trade: Pineapple growers say delayed flowering created a market glut, while the sector still supports over 150,000 jobs and about 6% of exports. Education: Costa Rica’s mid-year school break raises dropout concerns, with specialists warning many at-risk students may not return. Environment & Disease: Senasa confirmed avian influenza H5 in a wild marine bird near Manuel Antonio, stressing poultry exports and consumer safety remain unaffected.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Costa Rica is sending a second rescue team of 48 specialists to help after last week’s deadly quakes, joining an earlier 16-person Red Cross mission as the death toll climbs and teams work to extract survivors from unstable rubble. Digital Services: The Supreme Electoral Tribunal’s Costa Rican Digital Identity (IDC) is expanding fast, now linked to 17+ institutions and private firms to speed up remote procedures like banking, telecom sign-ups, and tourism check-ins. Cyber Fraud Watch: Authorities warn that scammers are targeting seniors with urgency tactics, fake municipal claims, and digital-signature requests; OIJ recorded 812 cyber-fraud reports against people 65+ in 2024. Tax Compliance: The Ministry of Finance says business owners and other taxpayers will soon have to register SINPE Móvil numbers to curb tax evasion. Wildlife Crime: Environmental prosecutors say wildlife trafficking is becoming more organized, with roles and routes that can overlap with drug trafficking. Environment & Science: Researchers confirmed a new deep-sea ghost shark species off Costa Rica, Rhinochimaera costaricana, adding to the country’s rare marine biodiversity. Tourism Signals: San José airport saw a 1.4% dip in international arrivals in May while Liberia grew, shifting demand toward Guanacaste.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Costa Rica has sent a second rescue contingent of 48 specialists to help after the June 24 quakes, joining an earlier 16-person Red Cross team as the death toll keeps rising; officials say teams are working in hard-hit areas like La Guaira and using life-detection gear. Digital Services: Costa Rica’s Digital Identity platform (IDC), run by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, is expanding access to remote procedures across public institutions and private services, including banking, telecom activations, and tourism check-ins. Education Watch: The mid-year school break (July 6–17) is raising dropout concerns, with specialists warning the pause often becomes a turning point for students already at risk. Tax Compliance: Business owners and other taxpayers will soon have to register their SINPE Móvil numbers with the Ministry of Finance to curb tax evasion. Wildlife Crime: Environmental prosecutors warn wildlife trafficking is becoming more organized, with traffickers using defined roles and routes that can overlap with drug networks. Tourism Signals: San José’s airport saw a slight dip in international arrivals in May while Liberia grew faster, hinting at shifting travel demand. Science & Nature: Researchers confirmed a new deep-sea ghost shark species off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, Rhinochimaera costaricana.

Disaster Response: Costa Rica is sending a second 48-person rescue team to earthquake-stricken Venezuela, joining an earlier 16-member Red Cross contingent as officials report rising casualties and widespread damage. Consular Updates: The Foreign Ministry says no Costa Ricans were injured or killed, and it has helped two travelers return home while coordinating with the Red Cross to reach families. Digital Government: The TSE’s Costa Rican Digital Identity is expanding fast, letting people complete remote procedures and verify identity for services across banks, telecoms, tourism, and more. Public Finance: Economists warn a proposed $13.5 billion eurobond plan is too large and could strain the exchange rate and public finances. Security & Crime: Prosecutors say wildlife trafficking is starting to look like organized crime, and police carried out major raids in the “Riverside” case. Environment & Science: A new ghost shark species has been confirmed off Costa Rica, while avian flu was detected in a wild marine bird in Manuel Antonio. Tourism Watch: San José airport saw a slight drop in international arrivals in May as growth shifts toward Liberia.

Wildlife Crime Crackdown: Costa Rica’s environmental prosecutors warn wildlife trafficking is shifting toward organized-crime style operations, with defined roles and routes that can overlap with drug networks, raising the risk of cartels absorbing the trade. New Deep-Sea Discovery: Scientists confirmed the first ghost shark of its kind off Costa Rica—Rhinochimaera costaricana—based on specimens collected over two decades and new genetic analysis, highlighting how much deep-ocean life still remains unknown. Disaster Response for Venezuela: Costa Rica sent a second rescue team of 48 specialists to earthquake-stricken Venezuela, joining an earlier wave, while the Foreign Ministry says no Costa Ricans were injured or killed and is coordinating consular support. Tourism Watch: International arrivals fell at San José airport in May while Liberia grew faster, and analysts say the tourism boom is masking a competitiveness warning sign. Tax Compliance Move: Taxpayers will have to register SINPE Móvil numbers with the Ministry of Finance to curb tax evasion. Tourism & Security: Authorities also confirmed a bird-flu H5 case in a wild marine bird near Manuel Antonio, and separate reports highlight renewed pressure from poachers at a key wildlife refuge.

Disaster Response: Costa Rica has sent a second earthquake rescue team to Venezuela, dispatching 48 USAR specialists from the Cuerpo de Bomberos to join the first wave as the death toll climbs past 1,400. Public Health & Safety: Senasa confirmed a new H5 bird-flu case in a wild marine bird (a blue-footed booby) in Manuel Antonio, saying it’s limited to wildlife and does not affect poultry exports. Economy & Taxes: The Ministry of Finance says taxpayers will need to register all SINPE Móvil numbers with Taxation to curb evasion, after record SINPE transfers in 2025. Tourism Watch: San José’s airport saw a 1.4% drop in international arrivals in May, while Liberia grew 12%, shifting demand toward Guanacaste. Regional Security: Russia rejected Costa Rica’s concerns about Russian military presence in Nicaragua, while Costa Rica also raised alarms at the OAS about Russian forces and groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Crime & Justice: Costa Rica’s massive Riverside case operation hit Cahuita and beyond, targeting an alleged drug network linked to “Pecho de Rata.”

Humanitarian Response: Costa Rica has deployed a rescue and humanitarian mission to Venezuela after deadly earthquakes, sending Red Cross specialists and additional rescuers with equipment and food, while the Foreign Ministry says no Costa Ricans were injured and is coordinating consular help. Public Finance: Economists warn the government’s plan to authorize up to $13.5 billion in eurobonds could be excessive and add pressure to public finances and the exchange rate. Tax Compliance: The Ministry of Finance says taxpayers will soon need to register all SINPE Móvil numbers to curb tax evasion. Crime & Justice: Costa Rica’s OIJ confirmed Interpol alerts for two women tied to the “Riverside” case, while a major “Riverside” operation in Limón and beyond targeted an alleged drug network linked to “Pecho de Rata.” Regional Security: Russia rejected Costa Rica’s concerns about Russian military presence in Nicaragua, as Costa Rica continues raising the issue at the OAS. Tourism Watch: San José airport saw a May drop in international arrivals even as overall air tourism rose, with growth shifting toward Liberia. Wildlife & Science: Senasa confirmed an H5 bird-flu case in a wild marine bird near Manuel Antonio, and researchers announced a new deep-sea “ghost shark” species off Costa Rica.

Organized Crime Crackdown: Costa Rica’s OIJ and prosecutors carried out the country’s biggest operation, the “Riverside” case, with about 1,500 agents and roughly 97 raids across Limón (Cahuita focus) plus other provinces, targeting alleged drug trafficking and money laundering linked to “Pecho de Rata” Edwin López Vega. Public Safety & Security: President Laura Fernández removed seven Elite Force police chiefs after they failed polygraph tests tied to organized-crime questions. Foreign Affairs: Russia rejected Costa Rica’s concerns about Russian military presence in Nicaragua, saying cooperation is legal and limited; Costa Rica also raised alarms at the OAS about Russian forces and groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Tourism & Economy: San José’s Juan Santamaría airport saw a 1.4% drop in international arrivals in May, while overall air tourism kept growing. Tax Compliance: Taxation will require businesses to register SINPE Móvil numbers to fight tax evasion. Wildlife & Health: Senasa confirmed H5 bird-flu in a wild marine bird at Manuel Antonio, and poachers were caught via camera traps at Refugio Curú. Science: Researchers described a new deep-sea ghost shark species off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast.

OAS Security Clash: Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar denounced Russia’s growing military presence in Nicaragua and warned about terrorist groups including Hamas and Hezbollah, citing arrests linked to Hamas in Costa Rica; Tourism Watch: San José’s Juan Santamaría airport saw a 1.4% drop in international arrivals in May, while Liberia surged 12%, shifting demand toward Guanacaste; Public Finance Debate: Costa Rican economists warn the government’s plan to authorize up to $13.5 billion in eurobonds could be excessive and add pressure to public finances and the exchange rate; Tax Compliance Move: Taxation will require business owners to register all SINPE Móvil numbers to curb tax evasion; Wildlife & Health: Senasa confirmed avian influenza H5 in a wild marine bird at Manuel Antonio, stressing it doesn’t affect poultry exports; Crime Crackdown: Costa Rica carried out the massive “Riverside” operation in Limón and beyond, targeting an alleged drug network tied to “Pecho de Rata”; Nature Discovery: Researchers identified a new deep-sea “ghost shark” species off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast; Relocation Trend: Costa Rica ranks among top destinations for North Americans seeking residency or citizenship in 2026.