Central America

Costa Rica urged to expand prevention in the face of dengue fever rebound

Photo: EFE

November 6 |

The Costa Rican Ministry of Health warned on Saturday about the expansion of the dengue outbreak in the Central American nation, where 18,194 cases were reported as of October 21.

Through a press release, the ministry informed that this number of patients is triple compared to the same period in 2022, when the health authorities detected 6,097.

The report specified that the cases are concentrated in the Huetar Caribe region (5,218), followed by the Central North (4,110) and the Central Pacific (2,556).

Although cases are reported in other cantons of the country, the highest numbers of cases have been detected so far in Puntarenas (1,490), Sarapiquí (1,486), Pocococí (1,375), Alajuela (1,339), Siquirres (1,251) and San Carlos (1,144).

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According to the data, the 18,194 cases of dengue equals a rate of 345.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In the period analyzed, in 2022, the rate reached 116.9 per 100,000 inhabitants.

The portfolio considered that the high presence of dengue could be related to “the circulation of 3 or 4 serotypes, so it is of utmost importance not to lower our guard and to reinforce prevention measures,” the text says.

The health authorities urged the population to “clean and constantly check the containers in which water is stored for domestic use, check and clean canoes, as well as put unused tires under roof or take them to the respective collection sites”.

In addition, they asked the public to facilitate access to homes by health officials in charge of spraying against the dengue transmitting agent, the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

The previous alert on the outbreak of dengue fever in Costa Rica dates back to September 6, when the increase in the number of infections was close to 42 percent. Since then, the Ministry of Health has reiterated that it is essential to work on prevention to reduce the presence of the disease.

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Central America

U.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports

The United States signed a reciprocal trade agreement with Guatemala on Friday, under which 70.4% of Guatemalan exports will enter the U.S. market tariff-free.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo highlighted the importance of the agreement, stating that it creates a framework of cooperation, certainty, and new opportunities for producers, workers, and entrepreneurs in the country. His remarks were shared in a video published on his official social media channels.

In 2025, 30.3% of Guatemala’s total exports were destined for the United States, amounting to approximately $4.3 billion. As a result, the agreement is expected to directly benefit key sectors of the Guatemalan economy, including agribusiness, manufacturing, and the textile industry.

“Today we have taken another step toward consolidating a country that, when it moves forward united, generates confidence, attracts investment, and creates real development opportunities for all its people,” Arévalo added.

The agreement with Guatemala follows a similar trade deal signed by the United States with El Salvador on Thursday, which includes the elimination of a 10% tariff on Salvadoran imports.

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Central America

Panama Supreme Court Strikes Down Panama Ports Concession as Unconstitutional

Panama’s Supreme Court of Justice has ruled unconstitutional the concession contract granted in 1997 to Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of the Chinese conglomerate CK Hutchison, which operates two strategic ports along the interoceanic canal. The decision was announced on Thursday, January 29, 2026, following two lawsuits filed by the Comptroller General’s Office.

The ruling directly affects the management of the ports of Balboa, on the Pacific coast, and Cristóbal, on the Atlantic side, both of which have been operated by the company for nearly three decades. According to Panama’s Comptroller General, Anel Flores, an audit uncovered irregularities in the contract that resulted in more than $1.3 billion failing to enter state coffers.

“It is a predatory contract, abusive to the interests of the country,” Flores stated.

The Supreme Court determined that Law 5 of 1997, its subsequent amendments, and the automatic extension granted in 2021 are unconstitutional. The ruling noted that the contract renewal took place without adequate oversight and amid allegations of corruption, despite the Panamanian state holding only a 10% stake in the company.

Central America

Guatemala President Says Starlink Terminal Found Inside Prison

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo revealed on Tuesday that a Starlink terminal was discovered inside a prison in the country, highlighting corruption and the illegal introduction of advanced communication technology into the penitentiary system.

Arévalo did not specify which prison the device was found in but stressed that Starlink’s ability to connect directly to low-orbit satellites makes it particularly difficult to disrupt, posing a serious security risk.

The disclosure was made during a press conference attended by Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda and Defense Minister Henry Sáenz.

On January 6, specialized units of Guatemala’s National Civil Police (PNC), members of the Army and prison security personnel carried out Operation Sentinel at the Renovación 1 Maximum Security Prison for Men, located in Escuintla. According to the Interior Ministry, the operation aimed to reduce criminal activity, prevent illicit acts and stop the trafficking of prohibited items inside the prison.

During the operation, authorities also dismantled businesses operating near several prisons after detecting routers that were allegedly used to redirect internet signals into penitentiary facilities, according to local outlet Emisoras Unidas.

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Tensions escalated further over the weekend of January 17 and 18, when inmates affiliated with gangs staged riots in three prisons. During the unrest, they took prison guards and a psychologist hostage, demanding extra-large beds, air conditioning, transfers to other facilities and access to the internet.