Costa Rica Roundup: Earthquakes, anti-drug programs, agricultural decline, soccer

Earthquake

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Panama-Costa Rica border region, with a depth of 10 km. No immediate damages were reported, English Alarabiya reports. The epicentre was located southeast of Puerto Armuelles.

Decline in agricultural production

Costa Rica's agricultural sector is experiencing a decline in production, particularly in coffee and bananas. The depreciation of the colon, climatic factors, and exchange rate fluctuations are the main causes, according to The Tico Times. The Central Bank expects a recovery in the second half of the year, but the impact on exports is significant. The coffee sector is also suffering from a decrease in income due to the exchange rate differential.

Costa Rica soccer team wins

Jamaica's Under-20 soccer team lost 3-0 to Costa Rica, ending their hopes of advancing from the Concacaf Championships Group A. They played with 10 men for the final 19 minutes and have lost back-to-back games in the tournament. Costa Rica now leads the group with four points, Jamaica Observer reports.

Anti-Drug coalition program

Costa Rica will implement the U.S.-backed Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America strategy in several districts to address drug risks. The program will start in Oreamuno, Tibás, and Mora and aims to strengthen community safety and prevention efforts. The initiative is expected to extend to the entire country with the support of the U.S. Embassy, The Tico Times reports.

Company relocations

According to the Tire Business, Goodyear is relocating 175 positions from its Akron headquarters to a new location in Costa Rica as part of its Goodyear Forward transformation plan.