AGP Executive Report

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.

Public Safety Crackdown: Costa Rica launched the “Riverside” operation with about 1,500 agents and roughly 97 raids across Limón (including Cahuita), plus parts of the Central Valley, targeting an alleged drug network linked to “Pecho de Rata,” Edwin López Vega. Security & Accountability: President Laura Fernández ordered the removal of seven Elite Force police directors after failing a polygraph tied to organized-crime and corruption checks. Health Watch: Senasa confirmed a new H5 bird-flu case in a wild blue-footed booby at Manuel Antonio; officials say it’s limited to wildlife and does not affect poultry exports. Wildlife Under Threat: Curú wildlife refuge in Nicoya faces renewed poaching pressure, with camera traps showing illegal hunting and stolen monitoring equipment. Science & Nature: Researchers described a new deep-sea “ghost shark,” Rhinochimaera costaricana, off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Regional Diplomacy: Costa Rica denounced Russian military forces and Iran-backed groups in Nicaragua at the OAS, after reporting arrests of people linked to Hamas in Costa Rica. Travel & Entry Rules: Honduras will no longer require Costa Ricans with valid U.S. or Canadian visas/residency to present a criminal record certificate at entry. Tourism & Local Life: Jacó nightlife is sparking debate as Garabito’s mayor proposes moving late-night and adult-oriented activity into a designated zone.

Organized Crime Crackdown: Costa Rica carried out its largest police operation in recent history, the “Riverside” case, with about 1,500 agents and roughly 97 raids across Limón (including Cahuita) and other provinces, targeting an alleged drug-trafficking and money-laundering network linked to “Pecho de Rata,” Edwin López Vega. Security & Terror Links: Authorities also arrested a Palestinian man in Desamparados de Alajuela believed to have ties to Hamas, and Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar warned at the OAS about growing Russian military and Iran-backed militant presence in Nicaragua. Public Safety Leadership: President Laura Fernández removed seven Elite Force police directors after they failed polygraph tests tied to organized-crime and corruption checks. Wildlife Under Pressure: Poachers are threatening Curú Wildlife Refuge on the Nicoya Peninsula, with camera traps showing illegal hunting and even theft of monitoring equipment. Science & Nature: Researchers confirmed a new deep-sea “ghost shark” species, Rhinochimaera costaricana, off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Travel & Economy: Costa Rica hit a new all-time record for air arrivals in May, but U.S. arrivals at San José slowed while Europe drove growth; the country also ranked among top destinations for North Americans relocating in 2026. Regional Diplomacy: Russia rejected Costa Rica’s claim over Russian military presence in Nicaragua, while Costa Rica urged Panama to move from “good intentions to action” to resolve their trade dispute.

Tourism & Migration: Costa Rica is making headlines with Americans looking to relocate in 2026, landing among the world’s top destinations for wealth relocation, with U.S. citizens forming one of the biggest expatriate groups in the country. Diplomacy & Security: Russia has rejected Costa Rica’s claims about Russian military presence in Nicaragua, while Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar also denounced Russian forces and Iran-backed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah at the OAS. Counterterrorism: Costa Rican authorities arrested a man believed linked to Hamas in Alajuela and moved him into custody while deportation steps begin. Crime & Police Integrity: President Laura Fernández removed seven Elite Force police directors after they failed polygraph tests tied to organized-crime and corruption controls. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Route 32’s Río Sucio bridge will see lane closures starting Monday through early July as crews repair columns, reinforce the deck, and repave. Science & Nature: A new deep-sea “ghost shark” species was confirmed off Costa Rica, highlighting how much remains unknown in the country’s deep waters. Economy & Travel Demand: Costa Rica set an air-arrivals record in May, but U.S. arrivals at San José dipped while Europe drove growth. Local Life: Garabito Mayor Francisco González sparked debate over moving Jacó’s nightlife and adult-oriented activity into a designated zone.

Deep-Sea Discovery: Scientists have confirmed a new “ghost shark” species off Costa Rica, Rhinochimaera costaricana, based on specimens collected between 2000 and 2023 at depths of 390–787 meters, a win for local research and conservation planning. Regional Security at the OAS: Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar denounced Russia’s military presence and Iran-backed groups including Hamas and Hezbollah in Nicaragua, citing arrests of people linked to Hamas in Costa Rica. Public Safety Shake-Up: President Laura Fernández removed seven Elite Force police directors after they failed polygraph tests tied to organized-crime and corruption controls. Crime Crackdown: Costa Rica carried out more than 100 raids in a major operation targeting an alleged drug-trafficking and money-laundering network linked to “Pecho de Rata,” Edwin Danney Lopez-Vega. Tourism & Travel: Costa Rica set an all-time record for air arrivals in May (1,390,842 tourists, +9.4%), though U.S. arrivals at SJO dipped while Europe surged. Local Life in Jacó: Garabito’s mayor proposed moving nightlife and adult-oriented activity out of Jacó’s downtown into a designated zone.

Regional Security at the OAS: Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar denounced Russia’s military presence in Nicaragua and the activity of Hamas and Hezbollah, warning it threatens Central American stability and citing Costa Rican police arrests tied to Hamas. Trade Tensions: Costa Rica pressed Panama at the UN to move from “good intentions to action” to end bans on Costa Rican agricultural exports, after Panama retaliated by suspending electricity sales. Adoption Oversight: Norway’s final adoption report says Norwegian authorities had limited insight into how children were declared abandoned in Costa Rica, after PANI reviewed 101 files. Crime Crackdown: Costa Rica carried out “Riverside,” one of its biggest organized-crime raids, with 146 raids and about 1,500 agents targeting a network linked to “Pecho de Rata.” Police Integrity: President Laura Fernández removed seven Elite Force directors after they failed polygraph tests, ordering a preliminary investigation. Tourism Record, U.S. Slowdown: Costa Rica hit an all-time air arrivals high in May, but U.S. arrivals at SJO fell. Road Disruption: Route 32’s Río Sucio bridge will see lane closures into early July. Nature & Science: Scientists described a new deep-sea “ghost shark” species from Costa Rica waters. Local Life: Ashley Phillips, a U.S. tourist missing after storm flooding near Nauyaca, has been found. Luxury Travel: Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique debuted eight new private resort residences in Guanacaste.

OAS Diplomacy: Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar warned the OAS about Russia’s “persistent and recent” military presence in Nicaragua, citing concern over links to terrorist groups and noting detentions of people allegedly tied to Hamas in Costa Rican territory. Security Crackdown: President Laura Fernández removed seven Elite Force police directors after they failed polygraph tests, ordering a preliminary investigation from her office. Major Anti-Drug Operation: Authorities carried out “Riverside,” one of the biggest organized-crime raids in recent Costa Rican history, with 146 raids and about 1,500 agents targeting an alleged drug and money-laundering network tied to “Pecho de Rata,” Edwin Danney Lopez-Vega. Adoption Oversight: Norway’s final adoption review found Norwegian authorities had limited insight into how Costa Rica declared children abandoned before adoptions, though it did not find major system-level wrongdoing. Tourism Watch: Costa Rica set an air-arrivals record in May (1.39M, +9.4%), but U.S. arrivals at San José fell 7.3%, while Europe surged. Road Updates: Route 32’s Río Sucio bridge will see one-lane closures into early July for structural repairs. Nature Science: UCR and partners described a new deep-sea “ghost shark” species, Rhinochimaera costaricana, from Costa Rican Pacific waters. Global Spotlight: Costa Rica’s tourism push continues as Spanish outlets named it a must-see destination for 2026.

Organized Crime Crackdown: Costa Rican authorities carried out one of the biggest recent operations, with 146 raids and about 1,500 agents targeting an alleged drug-trafficking and money-laundering network linked to “Pecho de Rata,” Edwin Danney Lopez-Vega, including activity in Limón, Heredia, Cartago, San José and Alajuela. Security Overhaul: President Laura Fernández ordered the immediate removal of seven Elite Force police directors after they failed a polygraph test tied to organized-crime and corruption controls. Tourism Watch: Costa Rica hit a new air-arrivals record in May (1,390,842 for the period, +9.4%), but U.S. arrivals at SJO fell 7.3%, while Europe surged. Road Disruption: Route 32’s Río Sucio bridge will see one-lane closures starting June 22 through early July for structural repairs. Tragic Update: The family of Ashley Phillips confirmed her body was found after she vanished during a storm-hit hike near Nauyaca waterfalls. Science & Nature: Researchers described a new deep-sea “ghost shark” species, Rhinochimaera costaricana, based on specimens collected off Puntarenas.