The Tico Times

Edwin Danney López Vega, the Costa Rican alleged drug trafficker known as “Pecho de Rata,” could avoid a full jury trial in the United States after his defense confirmed it is reviewing a plea proposal from federal prosecutors. López Vega’s attorney, Gaylon P. Riddels, asked a federal judge in Texas for additional time to review the government’s proposal, discuss its terms with his client and continue negotiations with prosecutors.

If someone offers you cash the same day with no paperwork, no credit check and no questions about your income, understand what you are agreeing to before you take it. According to the Organismo de Investigación Judicial, more than 95% of collection-extortion cases tied to informal loans end in aggression or violence against the borrower.

The Cincinnati Open draw put Fonseca and Cerúndolo in the same quarter, with Sinner and Alcaraz both out injured.

Costa Rica evacuates at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The seismic network that would detect the real thing has run without dedicated funding since 2023.

Argentina and Colombia lead Latin America’s final Cincinnati Open qualifying push after storms disrupted Tuesday’s schedule in Mason, Ohio.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Costa Rican President Laura Fernández exchanged invitations for official visits during a phone call yesterday, as the two leaders also discussed possible security cooperation involving Ukraine’s experience with drone technology. Zelensky invited Fernández to visit Ukraine, while the Costa Rican president invited Zelensky to Costa Rica, according to Ukraine’s presidential office and reports on the conversation.

Growth in Costa Rica’s free-zone economy slowed sharply in June, falling to its weakest pace since 2020 and extending a year-long deceleration in one of the country’s most important economic sectors. Economic activity among companies operating under Costa Rica’s special regimes, which include most free-zone companies, grew 2.9% in June compared with the same month a year earlier, according to the latest Monthly Economic Activity Index, or IMAE, from the Central Bank of Costa Rica.

A year-long camera-trap study at Costa Rica’s Reserva Conchal recorded 79 vertebrate species, including pumas, ocelots and jaguarundis.

Lionel Messi says he has doubts about playing much longer after the death of his father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi, at age 68.

Is Panama the new Costa Rica for expats? We compare residency, real estate and retiree perks to help you get to know the best Central American havens.