AGP Executive Report

Energy & Transport: Costa Rica is bracing for higher fuel prices as oil climbs back above $100 a barrel, driven by renewed U.S.-Iran tensions; with Recope as the sole importer, the impact could hit gas stations within weeks. Disaster Risk & Monitoring: Lawmakers questioned proposed 2027 cuts to quake/volcano/weather monitoring hours after a 5.5 quake near Uvita triggered aftershocks, raising concerns for the scientific networks that support emergency response. Healthcare & Industry Tech: Nanox Imaging signed a Costa Rica distribution deal with SOLME to market and support the Nanox.ARC 3D tomosynthesis system, with a six-month proof-of-concept registration phase before full approval. Medical Supply Chain: Nu launched U.S. deposit accounts, credit cards, and international transfers via FDIC-insured partner Lead Bank, using stablecoin-based accounts for customers across multiple countries. Climate & Agriculture: El Niño is strengthening, with WMO/PAHO warning of higher drought risk in parts of Central America and food spoilage risk in Costa Rica. Environment & Fisheries: UNA researchers link last month’s mass crab deaths in Guanacaste to unusually warm deep-water temperatures plus reduced food and shifting winds/currents. Maritime & Logistics: Panama is monitoring salvage of the fire-damaged Chinese car carrier Min Jiang Kou after a temperature rise was detected during cooling operations. Trade & Services: A new IDB/WTO/World Bank report says digitally delivered services exports in Latin America and the Caribbean nearly quintupled since 2005, reaching $87.7B in 2024. Local Economy & Policy: President Laura Fernández rejected any plan to artificially peg the exchange rate despite concerns from dollar-earning sectors like free zones, tourism, and export agriculture. Coffee & Regional Business: Nanox.ARC distribution and Costa Rica’s role as a healthcare procurement hub also highlight how foreign tech partners are expanding locally.

Electric Mobility Exports: Kim Long Motor shipped its first batch of nine KIMLONG B30-EVs from Chan May Port, aiming to lift local content to 90% by end-2026 as it expands clean transport exports. Climate Risk for Families: El Niño is strengthening toward a strong event, with WMO/PAHO warning of above-normal heat and shifting rainfall that could raise drought, wildfire, and food-spoilage risks across Central America, including parts of Costa Rica. Energy Costs Watch: Costa Rica is bracing for higher fuel prices as Brent climbed back above $100 amid renewed US-Iran tensions, with Recope’s import exposure likely feeding into local gas stations. Disaster Monitoring Funding: Lawmakers questioned proposed 2027 cuts to quake/volcano/weather monitoring hours after a Uvita tremor, while CNE framed the funding as a debt settlement under the emergencies law. Healthcare Tech Deal: Nanox signed a Costa Rica distribution agreement with SOLME to market and support the Nanox.ARC 3D imaging system, with a six-month POC registration step before full rollout. Currency Policy: President Laura Fernández rejected any plan to artificially peg the dollar, pointing to employment, tourism, and FDI data as proof sectors are holding up. Marine Impact Research: UNA researchers linked unusually warm Gulf of Papagayo waters to mass crab deaths in Guanacaste, highlighting heat at depth and reduced food availability. Biodiversity & Industry Links: Costa Rican scientists are using cameras on nurse sharks in Santa Rosa National Park to challenge the idea they barely move, adding new data for conservation and coastal management.

Security & Regional Cooperation: Peru formally joins the U.S.-backed “Americas Shield” coalition against transnational organized crime, with Costa Rica listed among founding members—another sign of tighter regional alignment on counternarcotics and cross-border enforcement. Healthcare Tech & Medical Supply Chains: Nanox expands in Costa Rica via a distribution agreement with SOLME RC, S.A. to market and support the Nanox.ARC digital tomosynthesis system for public and private providers, with a staged regulatory path. Exchange Rate Policy: Costa Rican President Laura Fernández rejects calls to artificially peg the dollar, pointing to jobs, tourism, and FDI data while stressing the exchange rate should follow economic conditions. Climate & Food Risk: El Niño-driven heat is raising alarms for Costa Rica’s agriculture and food security, with experts warning higher temperatures can speed spoilage and increase losses. Conservation & Marine Research: UCR researchers are using cameras and drones to study Pacific nurse sharks in Santa Rosa National Park, challenging the idea that the species barely moves. Digital Trade Outlook: A new IDB/WTO/World Bank report says digitally delivered services exports in Latin America and the Caribbean nearly quintupled since 2005, highlighting policy and infrastructure gaps to unlock growth. Biometrics at Airports: Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría Airport rolls out its first biometric eGates, boosting arrivals processing capacity through facial recognition and faster passport matching. Coffee Industry Expansion: Kahwa Coffee marks 20 years with a major production and corporate headquarters expansion in Florida, including doubled bagging capacity and continued sourcing from Costa Rica cooperatives. Sustainability & Governance: A UNEP report argues “just transition” must be grounded in environmental rule-of-law across sectors like energy, mining, construction, and agriculture. Mangrove Recovery: New research finds global mangrove losses are slowing while gains rise, though pollution and biodiversity threats remain.

Mangrove Restoration in Costa Rica: A new push to bring mangroves back is gaining momentum, with stories from local communities that once cut forests for charcoal and construction—and now see restoration as coastal protection and livelihood recovery. Environmental Rule of Law: A UNEP report says countries are turning “just transition” promises into real laws and court decisions, stressing fair, rights-based climate action across sectors like energy, mining, construction, and agriculture. Mangroves Are Bouncing Back: A global Science study using satellite data finds mangrove losses have slowed while gains are rising, though pollution and biodiversity threats remain. Tech & Connectivity: Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría Airport has deployed its first biometric eGates, boosting immigration throughput with facial matching for eligible passport holders. Climate Risk for Food: El Niño-linked heat in Costa Rica is raising alarms for agriculture and food spoilage, with experts warning about higher losses and reduced fresh availability. Coastal Governance: Fundación MarViva highlights Gulf of Nicoya efforts to give local fishing communities stronger decision-making power to protect the sea. Industry Expansion (AI/Health): Nanox says it signed a distribution agreement in Costa Rica as it expands imaging and AI pilots across Latin America. Digital Infrastructure (Global): India endorsed a 6G leadership and security call to action, and Costa Rica is listed among participating governments.

Airport Modernization: Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport has started using biometric eGates for eligible adult Costa Rican passport holders, boosting arrivals capacity by about 64% with faster facial-recognition processing. Climate & Food Security: El Niño is pushing Costa Rica’s temperatures higher, raising the risk of food spoilage and agricultural losses as rainfall stays low in key regions. Construction & Infrastructure: Work begins on a new bridge over the Torres River on San José’s Circunvalación (Route 39), replacing aging drainage structures while keeping two lanes per direction open. Biodiversity & Research: UCR scientists are using cameras and drones to study Pacific nurse sharks in Guanacaste, challenging the idea that they barely move. Marine Governance: Communities around Costa Rica’s Gulf of Nicoya are pushing for real decision-making power to protect the sea, backed by a new governance study and participatory tools. Industry Tech Expansion: Nanox says it signed a distribution agreement in Costa Rica to expand its medical imaging network across Latin America. Energy/Connectivity Policy: India endorsed a global 6G leadership and security call to action, and Costa Rica is listed among participating countries.

Infrastructure & Logistics: Costa Rica’s MOPT/CONAVI have started a yearlong bridge replacement on Route 39 (La Uruca), swapping an aging culvert system for a 44.9m bridge while keeping two lanes per direction open. Environment & Construction Rules: UCR is urging lawmakers to reject a bill that would loosen earth-moving and construction limits inside national parks during disasters, arguing the wording doesn’t sufficiently confine exceptions. Tourism & Real Estate Costs: A UNA/Idespo study finds coastal residents widely feel higher prices across food, services, transport, and especially real estate, with 85% saying coastal property sale prices rose. Forestry & Biodiversity Mapping: Researchers mapped Costa Rica’s forest ecosystems by dominant tree species, grouping forests into 10 types to better guide conservation beyond just forest cover. Agriculture & Climate Risk: El Niño-linked drought pressures are worsening food insecurity across the Central American Dry Corridor, including communities tied to corn and beans. Connectivity for Education: Starlink says it will supply 6,000 kits for rural schools in Argentina, highlighting how satellite broadband can close gaps where fiber is thin. Business & Trade: Colombia is moving the Pacific Alliance–Singapore free-trade deal to Congress for review, aiming to align ratification timelines with Chile and Peru.

Ports & logistics: Dominican President Luis Abinader used REPICA 2026 to stress that modern ports and efficient logistics are central to growth, citing projects like Pedernales, La Romana expansion, Port Samaná and Manzanillo modernization. Construction & risk rules: UCR is urging Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly to reject a bill that would loosen earth-moving and construction limits in national parks during disasters, arguing the drafting doesn’t properly confine exceptions for road-safety works. Inflation watch: Costa Rica’s August inflation turned negative (-0.11% monthly; -0.50% accumulated), but experts say shoppers may not feel it because price drops are small versus prior losses in purchasing power. Mining debate: Costa Rican geologists are calling for a referendum on Crucitas gold mining, saying lawmakers haven’t solved illegal extraction and environmental damage. Agriculture & climate: El Niño-linked drought risks are pushing more people toward food insecurity across Latin America, with the Central American Dry Corridor (including Costa Rica) highlighted as especially exposed. Circular economy case: A Costa Rica orange-peel disposal experiment is back in the spotlight after researchers found the “waste” site regenerated into forest, underscoring both potential and the need for safeguards.

Coastal Housing Costs: A new UNA/Idespo report says coastal living is getting pricier fast, with 85% of residents perceiving higher property sale prices and 80%+ seeing jumps in food, basic goods, dining, and even transport near the sea. Mining & Environment: Costa Rica’s geologists’ association is pushing for a referendum on Crucitas gold mining, arguing lawmakers haven’t stopped illegal extraction and damage, and calling for a broader rethink of open-pit mining rules. Circular Economy Lesson: A long-running Costa Rica case study revisits how 12,000 tons of orange peels dumped in 1997 helped regenerate degraded land—tree biomass reportedly rose 176% by 2013, but the story also highlights legal and safeguard risks. Tourism & Restoration: Southern Zone communities are shifting from banana monoculture toward biodiversity-led tourism, using mangrove and river protection as an economic engine. Trade & Exports: Costa Rica continues to strengthen its global business image, with medical devices highlighted as a top export driver, while Spain’s fruit and vegetable imports show Costa Rica ranking high by volume among non-EU suppliers.

Coastal Real Estate Shock: A new UNA/Idespo PIC report says Costa Ricans increasingly feel coastal life is getting pricier—over 80% cite higher food and basic goods, while 85% point to rising coastal property sale prices, especially in Guanacaste. Mining Referendum Push: Costa Rica’s geologists’ association is calling for a public referendum on Crucitas gold mining, arguing lawmakers haven’t stopped illegal extraction, pollution, and organized crime; it also backs repealing the open-pit mining ban law. Coffee & Land Restoration: Scientists report coffee pulp waste helped regenerate degraded land in southern Costa Rica—trees covered 80% of a treated area in two years—adding momentum to circular agriculture ideas. Medical Devices Spotlight: A Costa Rica country-brand update highlights medical devices as the top export (US$10.927B in 2025, +25%), positioning the sector for global buyers seeking reliable, sustainable supply chains. Tourism & Business Growth: Costa Rica is pitching its reputation as a global business opportunity, while another piece notes the southern zone’s shift from banana monoculture to biodiversity-led tourism.

Mining & Community Impact: Costa Rica’s geologists are pushing for a referendum on Crucitas gold mining, saying lawmakers haven’t fixed illegal extraction, environmental damage, and organized crime—while also backing repeal of the open-pit metal mining ban. Sustainable Agriculture & Restoration: A Costa Rica study highlights coffee pulp as a fast, low-cost way to regenerate degraded land—turning a grassland into dense forest in two years. Tourism & Regional Development: A look at Costa Rica’s Southern Zone shows communities shifting from banana monoculture to biodiversity-led ecotourism, with education and formalization helping local businesses grow. Conservation & Geotourism: UNED and SINAC renew efforts to make Chirripó Costa Rica’s first UNESCO Global Geopark, aiming to protect geological heritage and spread tourism benefits. Industry & Investment Signals: Costa Rica’s medicinal cannabis sector gets a boost with the inauguration of the country’s first lab for manufacturing medicines. Energy & Mobility Trend: EV adoption is accelerating across Latin America, with Costa Rica among the growing markets as van electrification moves toward the mainstream.

Housing Affordability: A new Costa Rica study says 81.4% of renter households face serious barriers to buying a home, mainly due to down payments and income mismatch versus a ₡76.5 million “social-interest” model price. Water & Infrastructure: SIMFLO won a Central America municipal water project in El Salvador, supplying vertical turbine pump bowl assemblies for well construction and system maintenance across multiple regions. Energy & Mobility: EVs are accelerating across Latin America, with Costa Rica among the faster-growing markets as battery costs fall and new fleet rules push electric light commercial vehicles into the mainstream. Tourism & Conservation: Costa Rica renews its push to make Chirripó its first UNESCO Global Geopark, aiming to protect geological heritage and spread benefits to nearby communities. Agro-Environment Breakthrough: Coffee pulp is shown restoring degraded land in southern Costa Rica—researchers report rapid tree recovery and major soil improvements after applying coffee waste. Finance & Banking: Davivienda Group says its Panama integration phase has brought the bank to nearly $80B in assets and a $60B loan portfolio, positioning Panama as a regional hub. Local Industry Watch: Costa Rica-based FIFCO USA is renaming to North American Breweries after a Saothair Capital acquisition. Local Science: Scientists described a new deep-sea “ghost shark” species, Rhinochimaera costaricana, found off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast.

EV Push in LatAm: Electric light commercial vehicles are going mainstream, with Costa Rica among the faster-growing markets as battery prices fall and new fleet rules kick in. Water Infrastructure Procurement: SIMFLO won a Central America municipal water project for vertical turbine pump assemblies in El Salvador, aiming to cut long lead times. Tourism & Conservation: UNED and SINAC renewed efforts to make Chirripó Costa Rica’s first UNESCO Global Geopark, tying protection to sustainable tourism. Agri-Environment Innovation: Coffee pulp is shown restoring degraded pastureland in southern Costa Rica in two years, adding to growing interest in circular agriculture. Waste-to-Forest Lesson: A long-running orange-peel decomposition experiment in Guanacaste shows how agro-waste can help ecosystems recover. Housing Affordability: A new study finds 81.4% of Costa Rican renter households face major barriers to formal mortgage financing. Business & Beverages: Costa Rica-based FIFCO USA is renamed North American Breweries after Saothair Capital Partners buys the U.S. unit. Deep-Sea Discovery: Scientists described a new “ghost shark” species, Rhinochimaera costaricana, off Costa Rica. Gambling Enforcement: Dutch authorities target Skyhills, with corporate links spanning multiple countries including Costa Rica.**

Environmental Restoration: A Costa Rica study revisits a 1998 experiment where 12,000 tonnes of orange peels and pulp were spread on degraded land in Área de Conservación Guanacaste—15 years later, scientists found major ecosystem recovery, pointing to coffee-and-juice waste as a practical restoration tool. Sustainable Agriculture & Exports: Ecuador’s deforestation-free coffee model is moving beyond pilot scale, with hundreds of farmers using traceability and geospatial monitoring to meet upcoming EU rules that could reshape how coffee is sourced and sold. Deep-Sea Discovery: Researchers identified a new “ghost shark” species, Rhinochimaera costaricana, off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, underscoring how little is known about deep-sea life amid fishing, mining and climate pressures. Tourism & Industry: UNED and SINAC renew efforts to make Chirripó Costa Rica’s first UNESCO Global Geopark, aiming to protect geology while boosting sustainable tourism for nearby communities. Housing Market Pressure: A new Costa Rica report says 81.4% of renter households face major barriers to formal mortgage financing, highlighting how prices outpace incomes. Business & Trade: FIFCO USA is renaming to North American Breweries after a Saothair Capital acquisition, a sign of continued consolidation in the drinks sector. Water Infrastructure: SIMFLO won a Central America municipal water project supplying vertical turbine pump assemblies for well construction and system maintenance in El Salvador.

UN Leadership Watch: Coverage is heating up around who will replace António Guterres when his term ends Dec. 31, 2026, with the process framed as a geopolitical stress test for multilateralism and a growing push for women candidates, including Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan. Costa Rica Housing & Finance: A new study says 81.4% of Costa Rican renter households face major barriers to formal mortgage financing, with down payments and income requirements out of reach for many. Agriculture & Land Restoration: Researchers report coffee pulp can help regenerate degraded pastureland in southern Costa Rica—trees covered over 80% of treated plots in two years. Biodiversity & Environment: A new “ghost shark” species, Rhinochimaera costaricana, was described from deep waters off Costa Rica. Energy & Mobility: LatAm’s electric last-mile shift is accelerating, with Costa Rica among the markets showing growth in electrified light vehicles. Water Infrastructure: SIMFLO won a Central America municipal water project in El Salvador supplying vertical turbine pump assemblies for wells and maintenance. Tourism & Business: UNED and SINAC renew efforts to make Chirripó Costa Rica’s first UNESCO Global Geopark, aiming to protect geology and boost community tourism.

Deep-Sea Science: Researchers identified Rhinochimaera costaricana, a new “ghost shark” species found off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, based on unique traits and DNA from specimens netted between 2000–2023. Tourism & Heritage: UNED and SINAC renewed the push to make Chirripó Costa Rica’s first UNESCO Global Geopark, aiming to protect its geology and boost sustainable tourism around the park. Housing Affordability: A new study says 81.4% of Costa Rican renter households face major barriers to buying a home, mainly due to down-payment requirements versus local incomes. Gambling Compliance: Dutch lottery operator Nederlandse Loterij escalated action against Skyhills, seeking to identify the ultimate controllers behind the Curaçao-linked platform. Energy Transition (Logistics): A regional report says Latin America’s electrified light commercial vehicles are crossing a tipping point in 2026, with Costa Rica among the growing markets. Business & Investment: PROCOMER opened the Costa Rica Trade & Investment Summit, bringing 1,000+ local exporters and 40+ countries for 3,600+ meetings. Water Infrastructure: SIMFLO won a Central America municipal project supplying vertical turbine pump assemblies for well construction and system maintenance in El Salvador. Corporate Moves: FIFCO USA was renamed North American Breweries after Saothair Capital Partners acquired the U.S. operations.

UN Leadership Race: Foreign Policy highlights top contenders to replace António Guterres, including Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, with Security Council veto politics shaping the outcome. Global Diplomacy & Energy: A separate report links Venezuela’s oil surge to a widening sovereignty debate after Maduro’s removal, underscoring how energy and geopolitics collide. Costa Rica Business & Investment: PROCOMER’s Costa Rica Trade & Investment Summit drew 400+ buyers and investors from 40+ countries for 3,600+ meetings, signaling continued demand for Costa Rica sourcing and expansion. Logistics & People Leadership: Maersk appoints Roberta Duarte as Chief People Officer effective Nov. 1, returning her to the company after leadership roles including at Werfen. Sustainability Restoration: In Golfo Dulce, Costa Ricans are restoring mangroves with 12,000+ seedlings and early survival rates of 75–80%. Policy Watch: Costa Rica limits car imports to one per year and taxes at market value, with a new valuation floor tied to the AutoValor list. Tech/Connectivity: Starlink opens mobile service in Costa Rica, adding another push for wider connectivity.