The operation was carried out as part of ongoing efforts to combat smuggling and protect the national economy, according to police authorities.

The seizure occurred when officers stationed at the Kilometer 35 checkpoint in Guaycará, Golfito, intercepted a vehicle coming from the border with Panama. The car was driven by a man surnamed Granados, who was transporting a total of 161 boxes of World Cup postcards.

When asked for documentation to prove the purchase and legality of the merchandise, the driver stated he had no proof of payment of the corresponding taxes, raising suspicions about the origin and transit of the goods.

Given the lack of the legally required documentation, the Border Police coordinated with the Policía de Control Fiscal (PCD) —Tax Control Police, who arrived at the scene. Tax officials seized the 161 boxes of postcards. Authorities emphasized that the seizure of these types of products aims to prevent tax evasion, protect state revenue, and safeguard legitimate businesses from the unfair competition generated by smuggling.

The seized merchandise consists of products of high commercial interest, particularly due to their connection to the World Cup, an event that generates significant demand among collectors and fans.

Authorities reiterated that product smuggling, in addition to affecting tax revenue, can pose a risk to consumers, who often purchase merchandise without guarantees or legal backing.

As for the driver, the case has been turned over to the appropriate authorities, who will determine the administrative and legal sanctions in accordance with Costa Rican law. The Border Police, for their part, called on citizens to report any suspicious activity that may be linked to smuggling or the sale of products without legal documentation.

The seizure of the World Cup postcards highlights the challenges authorities face in combating illegal trade and tax evasion in border areas, especially in the Southern Zone of the country.

During 2025, Costa Rica’s main international airport handled more than 6.4 million passengers, the highest number ever recorded, consolidating its role as the country’s main gateway and a key driver of connectivity, tourism, and economic development in Costa Rica.

In the area of ​​governance, AERIS executed an airport investment of US$28.3 million, of which US$23.1 million corresponded to projects associated with the airport’s Master Plan. Additionally, the operator strengthened its financial performance during 2025 and contributed more than US$62 million to the Costa Rican government.

“At AERIS, we understand sustainability as a way of managing the airport responsibly, generating value for people, communities, the country, and future generations. Each advance we present in this report reflects a long-term vision that seeks to strengthen connectivity, competitiveness, and the sustainable development of Costa Rica,” stated Ricardo Hernández, CEO of AERIS.

The results achieved in 2025 were also reflected in the international recognition received by Juan Santamaría International Airport, which for the second consecutive year won the award for Best Airport in Latin America and the Caribbean in the 5 to 15 million passenger category, as well as Level 5 Accreditation in Customer Experience from the Airports Council International (ACI), the highest distinction in passenger experience.

With the publication of this report, AERIS reaffirms its commitment to continue strengthening transparent, innovative and sustainable airport management, aimed at generating value for Costa Rica and for all actors that are part of the airport ecosystem.

IKEA, one of the world’s leading brands in furniture and home furnishings, continues to expand in Costa Rica.

Talent acquisition is central to this stage. The addition of new talent is an essential step in building a strong, diverse organization aligned with IKEA’s values, with capabilities that will support the project’s development in areas such as logistics, sales, customer service, communications, interior design, operations, IT, and human resources.

Those interested in learning about the professional opportunities that will be available and finding out more about working with IKEA in Costa Rica can visit www.ikea.cr, where they will find all the information about the application process and how to apply.

The website will also be a great place to learn more about the brand, discover its home furnishings offerings, and explore inspirational content designed to bring IKEA closer to people throughout Costa Rica.

Tony Tavira, Retail Manager of Sarton Group, stated:

“Costa Rica represents a very important market in our development in the region, and we want to contribute to creating a better everyday life for most people. To achieve this, it will be essential to have teams that share our vision and help bring the IKEA brand to life in this new market.

That’s why, at this stage, talent acquisition is central. We are building a long-term project, and it will be our future employees who make IKEA’s arrival possible and bring our offering to Costa Rican homes. At the same time, we continue to move forward to more clearly demonstrate how the brand will develop, with the ambition of building an accessible, relevant, and lasting presence for most people.”

The arrival of the IKEA brand in Costa Rica is being built progressively, through an omnichannel model designed to make accessing the brand clear, convenient, and easy for customers. The IKEA website and e-commerce platform will be the first point of contact with IKEA, allowing customers to discover the product range, explore a selection of the assortment, and purchase online before future physical touchpoints complete the brand experience.

This model will combine digital convenience, service, and an increasingly comprehensive customer experience. IKEA is also preparing to serve customers nationwide, reinforcing its ambition to reach a growing number of homes in Costa Rica.

IKEA is also gaining increasing visibility in Costa Rica, allowing more people to learn about the brand, its purpose, and its vision for home living. The brand will arrive with well-designed, functional, and affordable solutions, in an experience that seeks to combine inspiration, accessibility, trust, and service.

In this context, Dennis Balslev, Retail Concept Manager of Inter IKEA Group, stated:

“Welcoming Costa Rica and Panama to the IKEA family marks an important milestone in our commitment to making affordable, functional, and well-designed home furnishings solutions accessible to more people in the Americas. Together with our retail partner, Sarton Group, we are demonstrating our commitment to convenience and innovation by allowing customers to explore and purchase a selection of our assortment online before our physical stores open. We look forward to building strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and partners to create a better everyday life at home for more people in Costa Rica and Panama.”

This is the first step in a gradual process to expand IKEA’s presence in the country.

Guanacaste Airport, in Liberia (LIR), a member of the VINCI Airports network, and the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) announced the new service to begin on December 19 and will run until April 10, 2027.

The service will operate weekly on Saturdays using an Airbus A321neo with a capacity of 194 passengers.

“Without a doubt, this is further proof of how strong Costa Rica is as a destination in the plans of airlines, and the confidence they have in our country at a time when every move in the aviation sector is being analyzed based on its profitability,” said Marcos Borges, President of the ICT.

New York City joins the direct routes already operated by Delta, which include Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis, and Detroit, further strengthening its presence in the destination.

“We are pleased to announce this new service, which expands travel options for visitors from the New York metropolitan area, solidifying its position as the origin with the largest number of direct flights to Guanacaste Airport,” stated César Jaramillo, General Manager of Guanacaste Airport.

He added that this route strengthens the airport’s role as a tourist gateway.

“This reinforces our position as a strategic entry point for international tourism from a key market, thus contributing to the tourism and economic development of the Guanacaste region,” he concluded.

These contributions specifically address social security obligations unrelated to the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), which currently increases the cost of formal employment by 7.25 percentage points.

This means Costa Rican businesses pay twice the rate required by OECD countries.

“Costa Rica maintains one of the highest employer contribution structures in the region. Currently, employer contributions amount to 26.83% of gross salary, a percentage that directly impacts the cost of formal employment and is among the factors companies consider when investing, expanding, or creating new jobs,” the CPCl stated.

These are social security contributions that currently fund the Fondo de Desarrollo Social y Asignaciones Familiares (FODESAF) —Social Development and Family Allowances Fund, the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA) — National Learning Institute, the Instituto Mixto de Ayuda Social (IMAS) — Joint Institute for Social Assistance, and the Banco Popular y de Desarrollo Comunal — the Banco Popular.

The idea is to gradually transfer this contribution to the State.

“The cost of formalizing employment determines how many people are included or excluded from social protection. Reducing this cost doesn’t represent a benefit for companies, but rather the most direct way for more people—especially women and young people—to access formal, protected, and quality employment, without weakening the funding of social programs,” explained Rodrigo Cubero, former president of the Central Bank of Costa Rica and coordinator of the working group on employer contributions at the CPC.

Given this situation, the Competitiveness Promotion Council has proposed the following alternatives:

• Immediate universal reduction: Reduce the 7.25 percentage point contribution for all companies starting in the first year of implementation.
• Universal phase-in reduction: Reduce the 7.25 percentage point rate for all businesses gradually over a five-year period.
• Immediate phase-out reduction: Reduce the 7.25 percentage point rate for micro and small businesses, and apply smaller reductions to medium and large businesses.
• Phase-out reduction: The reduction would be greater for smaller businesses and would be applied gradually over a five-year period.

The CPC indicated that the proposal also explores options for fiscally offsetting any potential reduction in these costs, with the goal of not underfunding social programs.

Cubero noted that reducing the cost of formalization could expand access to sheltered employment.

The march will take place on Sunday, June 28, starting at noon, beginning at the León Cortés Statue on the west side and conclude  in the heart of the city, at Plaza de la Democracia, where the closing ceremony will be held.

The event will combine culture, entrepreneurship, and community participation in a route through the main streets of the capital.

In addition, the closing ceremony will feature performances by national artists such as David Nick and Jecsinior Jara, as well as several DJs.

As part of the month’s events, the Pride Fair will be held on June 26 and 27 at the Instituto de México in Los Yoses, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The fair will bring together community businesses and partners, as well as food stalls, bingo, and various recreational activities for attendees.

The program will also include artistic performances on both days.

It’s a space designed for gathering, visibility, and participation from different sectors of the community.

This year’s theme seeks to highlight the memory, enduring presence, and legacy of those who paved the way in the fight for recognition and visibility.

“Pride is memory,” the organization stated, explaining the campaign’s central message.

The group recalled that many people faced rejection, violence, and discrimination when they chose to live authentically and defend their rights.

“Because we exist, we resist, we endure,” the organization declared as part of this year’s call to action.

They also recognized those who came before them when doing so meant risking their jobs, their families, their safety, and, in some cases, their very lives.

“We feel pride for those who are no longer with us, for those who faced rejection, violence, and discrimination, but who never stopped fighting so that today we can occupy spaces with greater freedom, dignity, and hope,” the organization stated.

The event seeks to remind everyone that the struggle continues as long as there are people who need to be seen, heard, or defended, under a message that summarizes the spirit of the gathering: “Pride Remains.”

“I am very interested in the CCSS including sports as a prescription in the medical prescriptions they give to patients. Sports not only improve mental health, but also improve coronary heart disease and the degenerative diseases that are causing so much harm to our country,” the president stated.

At the moment, the mechanism to be used is unclear, since doctors currently always encourage patients to be active and exercise.

The proposal was announced during an official visit to the High-Performance Center (CAR) of Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, where Fernández learned about the sports training and development programs promoted by the soccer club.

Highlighting the systemic barriers to exercise, the President has pointed out that many Costa Ricans lack the time due to long commutes and heavy workloads. Consequently, she noted that to truly make this work, it may require workplace accommodations that allow employees time during the day to exercise.

The goal is to promote more active lifestyles and combat cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and various mental health disorders.

Several international studies have indicated that regular physical activity helps reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases, improve cardiovascular health, and alleviate symptoms associated with anxiety and depression.

The good news is that, through the Pacto Amistoso (Friendly agreement), drivers involved in a minor traffic accident can quickly reach an agreement and move the vehicles, according to Ricardo León, head of the Auto Department at the State insurer, the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS).

The Amicable Agreement is a legal tool that allows for faster handling of minor accidents, where there are no injuries or serious property damage, thus preventing vehicles from remaining on the road and causing further congestion.

“The Pacto Amistoso is definitely a tool that allows us to clear public roads as soon as possible, so that road users can resume traveling freely in the shortest possible time,” León explained.

“A minor accident can cause traffic jams stretching for several kilometers and significant waiting times, during which most vehicles are wasting fuel and emitting CO2 into the atmosphere. Therefore, an agreement like the Pacto Amistoso is very appropriate, when conditions allow, to resolve these types of traffic situations,” he added.

In addition to reducing traffic jams, this approach allows for a faster response to the incident.

“Furthermore, the response time to the accident is reduced because, as mentioned earlier, there is no need to wait for the traffic officer at the scene,” he noted.

How does the Pacto Amistoso work?

The Pacto Amistoso applies when the drivers involved reach an agreement regarding responsibility for the accident and have the necessary documentation to support what happened, such as photographs, videos, or witness statements.

Additionally, the driver who accepts responsibility must have a valid insurance policy with one of the insurance companies authorized to offer this mechanism.

However, this procedure cannot be used when there are injuries, significant property damage, two-wheeled vehicles—such as motorcycles, bicycles, or mopeds—are involved, or when the collision occurs with a fixed object.

The INS asserts that this tool not only benefits those involved in the accident but also other drivers by helping to maintain traffic flow and reducing the economic and environmental impact associated with long lines of stopped vehicles.

The plan was introduced in the previous Assembly by then-legislator Daniela Rojas of the PUSC party, and this Monday it received the support of 41 legislators, while 10 deputies opposed it.

However, sponsorship of clubs only applies to teams with members of legal drinking age, meaning that lower leagues in any sport will not be allowed to display advertising for alcoholic beverages.

If the plan receives approval in its second reading and is not challenged by the Constitutional Court (Sala IV), teams like Alajuelense and Saprissa, as well as any other First Division club, will be able to display a beer or liquor brand on their jerseys.

“The purpose is to provide greater clarity in the content of the project and strengthen the mechanisms so that resources reach those who need them more efficiently and effectively,” said Royner Mora, former Minister of Sport and legislator for the ruling party, the Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO), referring to a substitute text that is being worked on.

However, the female employment rate registered a statistically significant decrease compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

“The national employed population was 2.16 million people, comprised of 1.33 million men and 832,000 women. For women, this indicator showed a statistically significant decrease of 52,000 people compared to the same quarter of the previous year,” INEC stated.

Meanwhile, the national net labor force participation rate was 54.0%, while for men it was 65.9% and for women 42.2%.

This indicator showed a reduction of 2.6 percentage points nationally and 3.5 percentage points for women.

The results reflect a stable unemployment rate, although they show lower female participation in the labor market and a reduction in the number of employed women compared to the previous year.