AGP Executive Report

Bolivia Crisis: Protests and road blockades have tightened around La Paz, leaving markets empty and even hospital oxygen reserves running low; at least three people reportedly died after emergency vehicles were blocked, and clashes have sparked calls for President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation. Humanitarian Fallout: The government says a large security operation is trying to reopen “humanitarian corridors” for food, fuel, and medical supplies, while arrests and injuries mount. Regional Diplomacy: The U.S. and multiple Latin American countries—including Costa Rica—have issued statements backing Bolivia’s government and rejecting violence aimed at destabilizing the democratic order. Costa Rica Health & Access: In a separate local spotlight on care and inclusion, a Costa Rican hotel faced backlash after refusing entry to a guide dog for a visually disabled couple, prompting a public apology and renewed attention to accessibility rules.

Bolivia Unrest: The U.S. backed President Rodrigo Paz as protests enter a third week, with road blockades driving shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. Costa Rica–Panama Trade: President Laura Fernández escalated her dispute with Panama, calling the restrictions a “trade blockade” and ordering international diplomatic action over blocked dairy, meat, and fruit exports. Health & Safety at Airports: Costa Rica responded to a passenger death on an Iberia flight from Madrid, with the OIJ confirming natural causes after emergency protocols at Juan Santamaría. Tourism Accessibility: Barceló apologized after an Occidental Papagayo hotel refused a guide dog for a visually disabled couple, saying staff training will be reinforced. Public Health: Costa Rica approved RSV vaccination for the elderly. Environment & Conservation: The Cubujuquí Interurban Biological Corridor logged 2,366 birds across 183 species in its first 2026 census. Local Economy Watch: The dollar hit another historic low versus the colón, adding pressure for dollar earners spending locally.

Trade Escalation: Costa Rica’s President Laura Fernández has labeled Panama’s agricultural restrictions a “trade blockade” and ordered her foreign minister to pursue international action, targeting beef, pork, poultry, dairy and fruits like bananas, plantains, pineapples and strawberries—an escalation that comes just a week into her term and after Panama signaled talks only if rules are “reciprocal and fair.” Accessibility in Tourism: Barceló Hotel Group apologized after an Occidental Papagayo resort in Guanacaste allegedly refused entry to a certified guide dog for a visually disabled guest, sparking a public backlash and renewed scrutiny of disability access rules. Public Health Policy: Costa Rica has approved RSV vaccination for the elderly, adding to ongoing efforts to protect older adults from seasonal respiratory threats. Currency Watch: The U.S. dollar hit another historic low against Costa Rica’s colón, keeping pressure on people who earn in dollars but pay local costs in colones. Health & Safety Spotlight: Costa Rica’s illegal gold mining crackdown is moving toward tougher jail terms, with a bill proposing up to a decade for those involved directly or through logistics and financing.

Accessibility in Tourism: Barceló Hotel Group apologized after an Occidental Papagayo hotel in Guanacaste refused entry to a certified guide dog, leaving a guest unable to join a planned birthday trip—an issue that quickly turned into a public test of Costa Rica’s disability access standards. Trade Tensions: President Laura Fernández escalated her dispute with Panama, calling the restrictions a “trade blockade” and directing her foreign minister to pursue “international diplomacy and international actions” over bans on Costa Rican meat, dairy, and fruits/vegetables. Public Health Policy: Costa Rica approved a phased RSV vaccination plan for “adultos mayores,” starting with people over 75, with CCSS work on vaccine purchasing due in June. Regional Pressure: Bolivia deployed thousands of troops around La Paz to clear road blockades amid an economic crisis, with dozens detained and deaths reported from disrupted access to care.

Trade Showdown: Costa Rica’s President Laura Fernández has escalated her fight with Panama, calling Panama’s restrictions on Costa Rican agricultural exports a “trade blockade” and ordering Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar to pursue “international diplomacy and international actions.” The curbs hit beef, pork, poultry, dairy, and fruits and vegetables like strawberries, pineapples, plantains, and bananas—while Panama says it’s open to talks only if rules are “reciprocal and fair.” Public Health: Costa Rica has approved a phased RSV vaccination plan for older adults, starting with people over 75, with the CCSS set to finalize vaccine purchasing studies in June. Health & Justice Watch: Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency director Randall Zúñiga’s suspension could be extended again when the Supreme Court reviews a request on May 18. Local Environment: The Cubujuquí Interurban Biological Corridor logged 2,366 birds across 183 species in its first 2026 census, reinforcing its role as a key urban wildlife link.

Trade Tensions: Costa Rica’s President Laura Fernández has escalated her dispute with Panama, directing the foreign minister to pursue “international diplomacy and international actions” over Panama’s long-running block on Costa Rican farm exports like beef, pork, poultry, dairy, and fruits including bananas, pineapples, strawberries, and plantains. Public Health: Costa Rica has approved a phased RSV vaccination plan for “adultos mayores,” starting with people over 75, as CCSS finalizes vaccine purchasing studies. Conservation & Wildlife: A Costa Rican urban biodiversity win—Cubujuquí Interurban Biological Corridor logged 2,366 birds across 183 species in its first 2026 census—while Florida’s sloth scandal continues to ripple after a temporary import ban tied to mass deaths at Sloth World. Governance Watch: Costa Rica’s court is set to review whether the suspension of OIJ director Randall Zúñiga should be extended.

RSV Vaccination Push for Seniors: Costa Rica has approved a phased Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination strategy for “adultos mayores,” starting with people over 75, with the CCSS set to finalize vaccine purchasing analysis for the next steps. Illegal Gold Crackdown: In the background of rising health and safety concerns tied to the gold crisis, Costa Rica’s incoming Assembly is set to consider a bill that would send illegal miners and their supply-chain helpers to jail for up to 10 years. Trade Tension With Panama: President Laura Fernández escalated a dispute over Panama’s restrictions on Costa Rican agricultural exports, signaling international action—an issue that can ripple into food systems and rural livelihoods. Justice System Watch: The Supreme Court is expected to decide whether to extend the suspension of OIJ director Randall Zúñiga as disciplinary proceedings continue.

Illegal Gold Crackdown: Costa Rica’s incoming National Assembly is set to push a tougher bill that could send people involved in illegal gold mining to jail for up to 10 years, with penalties aimed not just at miners but also at fuel, transport, and logistics networks—especially when extraction happens in indigenous lands or protected environmental zones. Public Health: The country has approved a phased RSV vaccination plan for “adultos mayores,” starting with people over 75, as CCSS finalizes vaccine purchasing steps. Justice Watch: The Supreme Court is expected to decide whether to extend the suspension of OIJ director Randall Zúñiga as disciplinary proceedings continue. Money & Daily Life: The dollar hit another historic low against the colón, keeping pressure on anyone earning or paying in dollars. Culture & Film: Costa Rican filmmaker Valentina Maurel’s Cannes-selected “Forever Your Maternal Animal” marks a fresh spotlight on Latin American storytelling.

RSV Vaccine Rollout: Costa Rica has approved a phased RSV vaccination plan for “adultos mayores,” starting with people over 75, with the CCSS set to finalize vaccine purchasing analysis for the next step in June. Judicial Accountability: The Supreme Court is set to review whether to extend the suspension of OIJ director Randall Zúñiga for up to three more months as disciplinary proceedings continue. Road Safety Alarm: In Cartago, a road-rage dispute after a crash escalated to gunfire; the OIJ arrested the shooter, who had a valid firearms permit, after the victim died. Tourism Push: The Costa Rican Tourism Board brought its “Energía Pura Vida” roadshow to Toronto and Montreal with immersive sustainability and biodiversity activations for travel trade partners. Sports & Gender Equity: At FISU in Lausanne, Costa Rica’s Rosaura Méndez-Gamboa and EMU’s Prof. Mitat Koz discussed boosting women’s representation in coaching and technical roles in university sports.

RSV Vaccine Rollout: Costa Rica has approved a phased RSV vaccination plan for “adultos mayores,” starting with people over 75, while the CCSS finalizes purchasing and operational details for the next steps. Health Context: The move expands on Costa Rica’s earlier RSV strategy for pregnant women and targets a virus that can hit older adults hard, especially those with chronic conditions. Justice Watch: Costa Rica’s Supreme Court is set to review whether to extend the suspension of OIJ director Randall Zúñiga, with a key decision expected May 18 as disciplinary proceedings continue. Policy & Security: The week also kept attention on public safety and governance, with ongoing scrutiny of major institutions as the new administration sets priorities. Wellness Tourism: Separately, Preferred Hotels & Resorts launched “Preferred Wellbeing,” highlighting hotels offering holistic, multi-day wellness experiences—an industry trend that’s increasingly tied to health and longevity.

Digital ID Debate Reignites (UK): King Charles used the King’s Speech to confirm the UK is still pushing digital IDs via a bill framed as “not mandatory,” but critics say the push is really about control and data risk. Costa Rica Finance Watch: After months of a strong colón, market chatter is turning to whether the dollar could “normalize” higher, with experts pointing to energy costs, Central Bank signals, and shifting interest-rate gaps. Animal Health & Policy (Florida, with Costa Rica links): Florida’s wildlife agency moved to pause sloth imports after mass deaths tied to the Orlando “Sloth World” debacle, while advocates—citing Costa Rica’s Sloth Institute—press for tougher rules. Public Safety (Costa Rica): A road-rage shooting in Cartago left one man dead, with authorities arresting the suspect. Health-Climate Angle: A new push argues COP talks ignore military emissions, even as wars drive major climate impacts.

Sloth Import Crackdown in Florida: Florida’s wildlife agency just issued an immediate 60-day halt on importing sloths after at least 55 died tied to the canceled “Sloth World” attraction in Orlando; 10 sloths remain alive under intensive care at a Florida zoo, including a critically ill baby. Policy Pressure: Lawmakers and animal advocates say the pause is a “game-changer” while they push for permanent rule changes, including tighter permit standards and limits on keeping sloths as pets or for exhibition. Costa Rica Connection: The Sloth Institute in Costa Rica says most U.S. sloth imports route through Miami and warns enforcement will require coordination with U.S. customs. Local Health & Safety: In Costa Rica, road rage escalated into a fatal shooting in Cartago after a crash sparked a roadside argument, with the suspect arrested on scene.

Luxury Tourism Watch: Marriott says Lima will get two big brand swaps by 2028—JW Marriott Lima in Miraflores becoming The Ritz-Carlton, and the old Westin Lima in San Isidro turning into a new JW Marriott. Costa Rica Health & Safety: A cruise-hantavirus scare is in the news after a Seattle departure to Costa Rica, with experts stressing hantaviruses spread differently than COVID and urging travelers to stay alert to rodent exposure. Public Health Research: An ECO 2026 study links shorter working hours to lower obesity rates across OECD countries—suggesting work-life strain may be a health lever, not just a lifestyle issue. Regional Health Policy: Costa Rica’s trade fight with Panama over dairy and meat imports continues to ripple into health-protocol disputes, keeping food-safety politics front and center. Medicinal Cannabis Market: Bioxyne says it has secured the first international supply of medicinal cannabis flower into Costa Rica’s regulated market, with an initial shipment expected before June 30, 2026.

Mosquito-borne alert: Costa Rica confirmed its sixth chikungunya case of 2026, a 53-year-old woman in Alajuelita who recently traveled to Nicaragua; health authorities say it’s likely imported, bringing the year’s total to six confirmed cases as officials urge residents to avoid bites and remove standing water. Trade pressure: Panama’s cattle and dairy sector is pushing back hard on Costa Rica’s trade stance, with ranchers warning no meat or dairy should enter Costa Rica until a long-running dispute is resolved after Panama blocked imports from dozens of Costa Rican plants since 2020. Policy context: With Laura Fernández sworn in May 8, the country’s political continuity is now paired with a fresh push on priorities—while the colón’s strength remains a key economic storyline. Health watch beyond chikungunya: A separate report also flags hantavirus concerns for cruise travelers heading to Costa Rica, though experts stress it’s not COVID-like.

Labor Market Shock: Costa Rica’s job picture is worsening: INEC reports 56,000 fewer jobs in Q1 2026 and 118,000 people leaving the labor force, with women hit hardest and inactivity climbing sharply. Mosquito-Borne Watch: Health authorities confirmed Costa Rica’s 6th chikungunya case of 2026, a likely imported infection after travel to Nicaragua—another reminder to cut mosquito exposure during the rainy season. Public Health at Sea: A cruise ship sailing from Seattle to Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Miami is drawing attention after an international hantavirus outbreak tied to another vessel—experts say hantavirus spreads differently than COVID, but travelers are still asking questions. Medicinal Cannabis Expansion: Bioxyne says it has secured the first international supply of medicinal cannabis flower into Costa Rica’s regulated market, with an initial shipment expected before June 30, 2026. Crime & Continuity: New President Laura Fernández took office vowing a “war” on crime, as the country marks a new political era.

Hantavirus on a Costa Rica-bound cruise: Seattle passengers on the sold-out Silver Nova say they’re not worried after reports tied to an international hantavirus outbreak on another ship (MV Hondius). Public health context: UW infectious-disease experts stress hantaviruses spread differently than COVID and that Washington already has its own hantavirus (Sin Nombre), usually linked to rodent droppings/urine exposure. Costa Rica health watch: The country confirmed its 6th chikungunya case of 2026—likely imported after travel to Nicaragua—while health authorities keep pushing mosquito-bite prevention. Work-life and obesity: A new OECD-wide study presented in Istanbul links shorter annual working hours to lower obesity rates, adding to the debate over “time poverty.” Local health-adjacent news: Costa Rica also reported an imported measles case in Panama after a traveler entered via Costa Rica, with contact follow-up and vaccination checks underway.