AGP Executive Report

Judiciary Budget Reset: Costa Rica President Laura Fernández says the 2027 cut to the Judiciary will be ¢11 billion, not ¢27 billion, with releases tied to audits and performance conditions—aimed at protecting core operations like weapons and bulletproof vests. Cybersecurity Alert: MICITT’s National Cybersecurity Directorate is investigating a dark-web post claiming tens of millions of Costa Rican personal records, including ID photos and court files, but says it can’t yet confirm a real breach or the data’s authenticity. AI Data Center Push: Limón may host the Quantum AI Free Zone Campus, a planned 42-hectare complex starting with 50MW (then 125MW and up to 200MW) to support AI training, GPU cloud services, and high-performance computing. Solar Pricing Transparency: Solar Experts Costa Rica is publishing real, unedited solar project proposals and client quotes online to cut “middleman markups” and make ROI and hardware costs easier to compare. Independence Disruption for Businesses: Cartago merchants are challenging a municipal order requiring closures around the Palacio Municipal during Independence Day events, citing late notice and security-driven restrictions. Holiday Traffic Closures: Traffic Police will close key San José routes Monday evening and Tuesday morning as the Independence Torch moves toward Cartago, with reopening times changing by the caravan’s progress. Weather Watch: Tropical Wave #43 keeps conditions highly unstable, with heavy rain and storm risk across the Caribbean and Central Valley, plus flooding and landslide concerns.

Design & Sustainability: Floating House by Costa Rica-based designer Oliver Schutte won a Silver A’ Design Award for sustainable, regenerative development, highlighting passive design, renewable energy and locally sourced materials. Banking Upgrade: Banco de Costa Rica completed modernization of its ATM network, installing 421 next-generation contactless machines with touchscreen and accessibility features nationwide. Road Safety: Costa Rica’s Comptroller General ordered CONAVI to fix safety problems on Route 32 after finding roundabouts were designed for shorter trucks than those using the corridor, with redesign costs already topping $1.4 million. Public Health Policy: A Costa Rica bill proposes banning conversion therapy, defining it as coercive or deceptive practices aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Tech & Misinformation: Meta is testing Community Notes in 16 Spanish-speaking Latin American countries including Costa Rica, but its Oversight Board warns it shouldn’t replace professional fact-checking. Weather Watch: Tropical Wave #43 keeps conditions unstable this Sunday, with heavy rain, thunderstorms and flood/landslide risk across multiple regions. Business & Tourism: Costa Rica Whisky Fest returns today at Campo Lago in Lindora, with tastings, food and music, as the local spirits scene keeps growing.

Banking Upgrade: Banco de Costa Rica has finished modernizing its ATM network, installing 421 next-generation contactless machines nationwide with faster service, touchscreen interfaces, and accessibility features. Road Safety Oversight: Costa Rica’s Comptroller General ordered CONAVI to fix safety issues on Route 32 after finding seven roundabouts were designed for shorter trucks than the ones actually using the corridor, driving added costs and raising collision and lane-encroachment risks. Public Health Law: A Costa Rica bill would ban conversion therapy practices aimed at changing or suppressing someone’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, defining the efforts as coercive, pseudo-therapeutic interventions. Tourism & Culture: Costa Rica Whisky Fest 2026 returns today in Lindora with tastings, food pairings, jazz, and a Prohibition-era themed experience. Tech & Misinformation: Meta is testing Community Notes in 16 Spanish-speaking Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, after its Oversight Board warned against replacing professional fact-checking. Entrepreneur Spotlight: A Costa Rican entrepreneur is highlighting opportunities where others see problems, pushing a practical view of business growth.

Banking Upgrade: Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) has rolled out 421 next-generation ATMs nationwide, adding NFC contactless withdrawals, touchscreen interfaces, and accessibility features to make self-service banking faster and more inclusive. Road Safety Oversight: Costa Rica’s Comptroller General ordered CONAVI to fix safety issues on Route 32 after finding seven roundabouts were designed for shorter trucks than the ones actually using the corridor, with redesign costs already adding up to over $1.4 million. Consumer & Culture: Whisky Fest 2026 returns today at Campo Lago in Lindora, with tastings, food pairings, and a speakeasy-style theme drawing more than 50 brands and an expected 1,500 attendees. Digital Trust: Meta’s Oversight Board urged the company not to replace professional fact-checking with Community Notes as Meta tests the crowdsourced system across Latin America, including Costa Rica. Environment & Public Health: A new report links China’s plastic-waste import ban to rising health risks in Latin America, flagging multiple hotspots where waste is dumped with limited capacity to manage it.

Public Finance & Accountability: Costa Rica’s Ministry of Finance has launched an administrative process that could lead to the dismissal of 36 officials accused of using software to simulate remote work activity, reigniting debate over how public institutions should verify performance beyond computer logs. Infrastructure Safety: Costa Rica’s Comptroller General ordered CONAVI to fix safety problems on Route 32 after finding seven roundabouts were designed for shorter trucks than the ones actually using the corridor, with redesign costs already piling up. Labor & Business Impact: Western Union plans to relocate some operations out of Costa Rica to Guatemala, Lithuania and the Philippines as part of an efficiency and technology push, though money-transfer services will continue and the company says it will keep an active presence locally. Digital Platforms & Misinformation: Meta is testing Community Notes in 16 Spanish-speaking Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, after its Oversight Board urged it not to replace professional fact-checking with crowd-sourced notes. Local Economy & Tourism: JacoBeach.com launched a new independent travel guide for hotels, restaurants, tours and visitor info, aiming to make planning easier for Costa Rica’s Pacific beach destination.

Social Media Governance: Meta’s Oversight Board urged the company not to replace professional fact-checking with Community Notes as Meta tests the crowdsourced system across 16 Spanish-speaking countries, including Costa Rica. Labor & Business Continuity: Western Union confirmed it will gradually shrink its Costa Rica operations center over the next year, shifting roles to Guatemala, Lithuania and the Philippines, while stressing money-transfer services for customers and agents will continue without interruption. Regional Security Deal: Peru announced it will join the U.S.-backed “Shield of the Americas” coalition against transnational organized crime, adding to a roster that already includes Costa Rica. Local Politics & Perception: A UCR survey says 84% of Costa Ricans believe Rodrigo Chaves still influences President Laura Fernández’s decisions, despite Fernández denying a “two-headed” government. Travel & Tourism Demand: A new Jaco Beach travel guide launches as the destination continues to draw international visitors, bundling hotels, tours, nightlife and local services in one resource. Tech & Finance: Nu launched U.S. deposit accounts, cards and remittances via FDIC-insured partner Lead Bank, with a stablecoin-based international product for users across more than 35 countries.

Political Perception: A new UCR (CIEP-UCR) survey says 84% of Costa Ricans believe former President Rodrigo Chaves still influences President Laura Fernández’s first 100 days, with Fernández denying any “two-headed” government. Remittances & Jobs: Western Union says it will gradually move parts of its Costa Rica operations to Guatemala, Lithuania and the Philippines over the next year, with local reports warning of more than 1,000 jobs potentially affected, while money transfers for customers and agents will continue. Digital Platforms: Meta has begun testing Community Notes in multiple Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, letting approved users add context while Meta says third-party fact-checking won’t be changed during the pilot. Energy Costs: Costa Rica is bracing for higher fuel prices as global oil climbs back above $100 a barrel amid renewed U.S.-Iran tensions. Tourism & Local Business: JacoBeach.com launched a new independent travel guide for hotels, tours, nightlife and visitor info, aiming to make planning easier for travelers heading to Jaco. Regional Security: Peru announced it is joining the U.S.-backed “Shield of the Americas” coalition against transnational organized crime, which already includes Costa Rica.

Exchange Rate Policy: President Laura Fernández rejected calls to artificially peg the dollar, saying the exchange rate should follow economic conditions as key export and tourism sectors watch currency swings. Political Power Perception: A CIEP-UCR survey found 64.4% of Costa Ricans believe former President Rodrigo Chaves still has a lot of influence over Fernández’s decisions, fueling talk of “dual presidentialism.” Corporate Expansion in Healthcare: Nanox Imaging signed a distribution deal with SOLME RC to market and support the Nanox.ARC in Costa Rica, with commercialization tied to CCSS-linked regulatory steps. Labor & Restructuring Risk: Western Union plans to shrink its Costa Rica operations center over the next year, with local reporting warning that more than 1,000 jobs could be affected, though customer services won’t stop. Digital Platforms & Verification: Meta began testing Community Notes in multiple Latin American countries including Costa Rica, while regional fact-checkers urged Meta not to replace independent verification. Climate & Food Security: El Niño is strengthening, with WMO/PAHO warning of higher heat and shifting rainfall risks that could raise drought, wildfire, and food spoilage concerns for Central America.

Security & Trade Blocs: Peru has joined the US-backed “Americas Shield” coalition against transnational organized crime, announced after President Keiko Fujimori met Secretary of State Marco Rubio—Costa Rica is already a founding member, keeping regional security cooperation in the spotlight. Tech & Media Trust: Meta is testing Community Notes across 16 Spanish-speaking Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, with fact-checking groups warning it could replace independent verification rather than complement it. FX & Business Confidence: President Laura Fernández rejected calls to artificially manage the dollar exchange rate, pointing to employment, tourism and FDI data while export-heavy sectors watch volatility closely. Politics & Governance Perception: A CIEP-UCR survey found 64.4% of Costa Ricans believe Rodrigo Chaves still has “a lot of influence” over Fernández’s government, fueling debate over who really drives decisions. Healthcare Imports & Investment: Nanox announced a Costa Rica distribution agreement for its Nanox.ARC imaging system via SOLME RC, targeting public and private healthcare after regulatory steps. Digital Trade Outlook: An IDB/WTO/World Bank report says digitally delivered services exports in Latin America and the Caribbean nearly quintupled to $87.7B in 2024, highlighting growth opportunities for regional firms.

Airport Modernization: Costa Rica rolled out its first four biometric eGates at Juan Santamaría International Airport, using facial recognition to speed eligible arrivals—boosting processing capacity by 64% after a $3m AERIS-government investment. Digital Trust & Platforms: Meta has started testing Community Notes in 16 Spanish-speaking Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, as it moves away from professional fact-checking—drawing sharp criticism from the International Fact-Checking Network. Legal Tech Funding: Chilean legal AI startup Magnar closed a US$8m Series A to expand across Latin America, with plans for new offices in Brazil and Mexico and a growing presence already including Costa Rica. Business & Travel Payments: Visa and Duty Free Americas extended and expanded their partnership, adding discounts for Visa cardholders at DFA stores, including the Paso Canoas border location between Panama and Costa Rica. Climate & Food Security: El Niño is pushing temperatures higher in Costa Rica, raising concerns about faster food spoilage and agricultural losses as rainfall stays low in key regions. Conservation Tech: UCR researchers are fitting nurse sharks in Guanacaste with cameras to better understand their movement patterns, challenging the idea that the species barely moves.

Airport Tech & Border Efficiency: Costa Rica has rolled out its first biometric eGates at Juan Santamaría Airport, using facial recognition to speed eligible arrivals and boost processing capacity after a $3M joint investment. Digital Identity & Finance: ID Tech’s digest also flags broader moves toward using mobile driver’s licenses and digital credentials for customer checks in the U.S., signaling tighter but faster identity workflows. Social Media Governance: Meta is testing Community Notes in 16 Spanish-speaking Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, as it looks to replace professional fact-checking—prompting concern from the International Fact-Checking Network. Cross-Border Retail Deals: Visa and Duty Free Americas expanded their partnership into border stores, adding a new benefit at Paso Canoas (Panama–Costa Rica) plus discounts at participating duty-free locations. Climate Risk for Food: El Niño is pushing temperatures higher in Costa Rica, raising fears of faster food spoilage and added losses for producers and consumers. Local Economy & Tourism: Nanox says it signed a distribution agreement in Costa Rica to expand its imaging business across Latin America. Marine Conservation & Community Power: Scientists using cameras on nurse sharks in Guanacaste are challenging assumptions about the species’ movement, while Gulf of Nicoya communities push for real decision-making power over sea protection.

Education & Skills: PISA 2025 shows Latin America sliding again, with all 13 assessed countries below OECD averages and Argentina hitting its weakest results since 2006—another warning for long-term productivity. Security & Trade Links: The U.S. welcomed Peru into the “Shield of the Americas” coalition to fight drug cartels, a group that also includes Costa Rica and other regional economies—raising the stakes for cross-border enforcement and logistics. Coastal Governance: Costa Rica’s Gulf of Nicoya communities are pushing for real decision-making power over marine protection, arguing rules shouldn’t be set from elsewhere. Travel & Retail Payments: Visa and Duty Free Americas renewed and expanded benefits across Central America and the Caribbean, now including the Paso Canoas border store between Panama and Costa Rica. Weather Watch: Tropical wave 41 is moving into Costa Rica, bringing scattered afternoon storms and gusty winds, with heavier rain possible overnight.

Costa Rica Inflation Watch: INEC reports August inflation at -0.11% month-on-month and -0.50% year-to-date, but shoppers say savings aren’t showing up because price drops are uneven and don’t erase earlier losses in the basic basket. Housing & Finance: A new state loan program is helping Costa Ricans build more ADUs, with one example using hempcrete to cut energy use—showing how financing and construction choices can reshape affordability. Border Retail Deal: Visa and Duty Free Americas extended and expanded their partnership, adding Costa Rica’s Paso Canoas border store to the -10% discount for cardholders spending over US$200. Education & Skills: OECD PISA 2025 results show 15-year-olds in many countries outperforming the U.S., while the broader regional picture highlights pressure on reading and math foundations. Regional Food Security: El Niño is projected to push 16 million more people into food insecurity across Latin America and the Caribbean, with drought hitting key crops in the Dry Corridor. Public Health: Costa Rica’s CCSS data shows vaping-related disorders are heavily concentrated among ages 10–19, as stricter rules are delayed until August 2027.

Coastal Real Estate Costs: A new UNA/Idespo study finds coastal living is getting pricier fast, with 85% of residents saying coastal property sale prices have risen, alongside broad jumps in food, transport, dining, and even Airbnb costs. Vehicle Theft Surge: Costa Rica logged 5,146 vehicle thefts in 2025, the highest in a decade, and specialists warn car theft has shifted from opportunists to organized supply chains. VAT on Digital Services: Starting Tuesday, Costa Rica expands the 13% VAT roster for foreign digital platforms, adding Booking.com, Expedia, ChatGPT and others—raising card charges without changing advertised prices. Public Health & Vaping Rules: CCSS data shows 4 in 10 vaping-related consultations in 2025 involved ages 10–19, as the nicotine/flavor regulation is delayed until August 2027. Conservation & Tourism Planning: UNED and SINAC begin applications to create the Chirripó UNESCO Global Geopark, aiming to diversify tourism while managing visitor impact. Energy Finance Watch: ICE reported a 65% profit jump, but the boost is tied to currency gains while business revenues and earnings fell.

Coastal Cost Shock: A new UNA/Idespo PIC study says Costa Ricans increasingly feel squeezed by tourism and real estate costs, with over 80% reporting higher prices for food and everyday goods and 85% saying coastal property sale prices have risen—especially in Guanacaste. VAT Expansion for Digital Services: Starting Tuesday, Costa Rica will apply 13% VAT to Booking.com, Expedia, ChatGPT and other foreign digital platforms after expanding the VAT register to 181 providers (from 161), with banks adding the tax automatically at checkout. Power Utility Profit Watch: ICE reported a 65% jump in net profits, but the boost is tied to currency-exchange gains while operating revenues fell 5% and business earnings dropped 43%, raising questions about underlying performance. Conservation + Tourism Planning: UNED and SINAC-MINAE launched applications to create the Chirripó UNESCO Global Geopark, aiming to diversify tourism beyond the summit while protecting ecosystems and supporting local entrepreneurs. Mining Referendum Push: Costa Rica’s geologists’ association calls for a referendum on Crucitas gold mining, arguing delays have allowed illegal extraction, pollution and organized crime to persist. Weather + Water Risk: IMN forecasts Sunday rain and thunderstorms from Tropical Wave No. 40, but warns El Niño-driven dryness will continue through late September; separate research flags Monteverde cloud-forest drying despite heavy rainfall. Crypto Milestone: EagleSwap says it completed 10,000 non-custodial swaps, highlighting cross-chain exchanges with tracking and support. Branding Local Identity: Heineken Costa Rica will temporarily print “diay,” “mae,” “tuanis” and “pura vida” on Imperial packaging as part of a campaign celebrating everyday Costa Rican identity.

VAT Update for Digital Services: Costa Rica will expand its 13% VAT roster for foreign digital platforms starting Tuesday, adding Booking.com, Expedia, ChatGPT (plus Claude and Grok), TikTok and others—while the tax is still collected automatically by card issuers, not by consumers. Mining Referendum Push: Costa Rican geologists are calling for a public referendum on Crucitas gold mining, arguing lawmakers haven’t solved illegal extraction, environmental damage and organized-crime risks. Cruise Tourism Outlook: Puntarenas expects a major jump in the 2026–2027 season—about 150,000 cruise passengers, up roughly 67% from last season—boosting demand for local transport, tours and services. Housing & Infrastructure Pressure: Montes de Oca plans more apartment towers despite ongoing flooding and sewage overflow, raising public-health and planning concerns. Weather Watch: Tropical Wave No. 40 is set to bring Sunday afternoon rain and thunderstorms, but El Niño-linked dryness is expected to persist into late September and early October. Tourism, Culture & Nature: Monteverde faces drying cloud-forest conditions despite heavy rainfall; meanwhile San José’s Afro-descendant Diaspora Parade returns, and Costa Rica’s southern zone continues shifting from banana monoculture toward biodiversity-led ecotourism.