Costa Rica

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Guatemala

Panama

United States

China

Economics

Politics

Marco Rubio will visit Central American and Caribbean countries in his first official tour as U.S. Secretary of State, meeting with authorities in Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama and the Dominican Republic by the end of January, El Pais reported on Jan. 23.

U.S., Latin America: Rubio's Latin America Tour Underscores Trump's Focus on Immigration

Colombia

Honduras

Mexico

Military & Security

Panamanian President-elect Jose Raul Mulino's appointed security chief Frank Abrego said the new government is considering establishing checkpoints along the northern Darien Gap in order to combat migration through the territory, Reuters reported on May 16. 

Panama: President-Elect Considers Implementing Checkpoints at Darien Gap

Barbados

Canada

Chile

Ecuador

Peru

Uruguay

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

Governments from the United States, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Uruguay pledged to promote sustainable supply chains and boost trade across the region during the inaugural Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity Leaders' Summit, Reuters reported on Nov. 3.

Americas: Governments Pledge to Boost Trade, Promote Sustainable Supply Chains

The United States and 11 other countries -- Barbados, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Uruguay -- formally launched discussions on the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP), according to a Jan. 27 joint declaration by the 12 countries.

Americas: 12 Countries Launch U.S.-Led Talks to Boost Economic Ties

Cyber

Security

On the morning of May 31, a cyber attack targeted Costa Rica's hospital system, forcing the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) to shut down its digital record-keeping system, Reuters reported the same day.

Costa Rica: Cyber Attack Disrupts Hospitals, Clinics Across Country

Former World Bank economist Rodrigo Chaves won Costa Rica's runoff presidential vote, defeating former President Jose Maria Figueres, who won 47.1% of the vote, Deutsche Welle reported April 3.

Costa Rica: New President Will Face Fragmented Legislative Assembly

Cuba

Nicaragua

Venezuela

Venezuela's Unraveling

Security Challenges in Latin America

Social Issues

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

Crossing Borders

Approximately 200 Cubans protested near Costa Rica's embassy in Havana in response to Costa Rica's new requirements for Cubans and Nicaraguans to show transit visas if they pass through Costa Rica on their way to other countries, Reuters reported Feb. 21.

Costa Rica: Cubans Protest New Visa Requirements Near Costa Rican Embassy

Former Costa Rican President Jose Maria Figueres and former Finance Minister Rodrigo Chaves made it to the runoff vote in Costa Rica's Feb. 6 general election with 27.3% and 16.6% of the vote, respectively, Reuters reported Feb. 7.

Costa Rica: General Election to See Presidential Runoff Vote

Assessments

Argentina

Belize

Bolivia

Brazil

Guyana

Haiti

Paraguay

Suriname

(L-R) Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina attend a plenary session of the China-CELAC ministerial meeting at the Great Hall of the People on May 13, 2025, in Beijing, China. 

Global Trade

Latin America and the Caribbean will welcome China's increased engagement, but strong ties to the West and China's economic slowdown will limit Beijing's influence in the region.

Despite Stronger Trade Ties, China's Influence in Latin America Will Remain Limited

Israel

Lebanon

Europe

Hungary

Russia

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette Rubio arrive at the State Department in Washington, D.C., to speak to employees on Jan. 21, 2025. 

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Expires, Rubio Tours Latin America

Columns

On Security

Policemen guard the car of Mayor Luis Chonillo after an attack on the official May 15, 2023, in Duran, Ecuador. Governments can take steps to stave off a surge in violence, but for many in the region, such measures will be politically and economically out of reach.

Governments can take steps to stave off a surge in violence, but for many in the region, such measures will be politically and economically out of reach.

Forecasting Latin America's Next Crime Hotspot After Ecuador

Snapshots

Strained government resources, increased organized crime, political tensions and supply chain disruptions are likely to rise in tandem with migration.

How Record Migration Will Impact Central America

A guard stands next to a Costa Rican flag during the inauguration ceremony of the country’s new president Rodrigo Chaves in San Jose on May 8, 2022.

The ongoing situation in Costa Rica points to a future where threat actors' ability to coerce entire nation-states is just as concerning as their ability to destroy critical infrastructure.

When a Country Is Held Hostage: What to Make of Costa Rica's Ransomware Attack

Media

Podcasts

What does Costa Rica’s ransomware attack mean for the country and other governments?

Essential Geopolitics: Costa Rica Declares National Emergency

Guidance

Kenya

Serbia

Ukraine

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks on stage during a campaign rally for his ruling Fidesz party in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, on April 1, 2022. 

The Weekly Rundown: Kenya Presents Its National Budget, Hungary and Serbia Hold Elections

Australia

Fiji

Japan

Belarus

Iran

United Arab Emirates

India

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (L) speaks with his Belarusian counterpart, Viktor Khrenin, on Feb. 3, 2022, in Minsk, Belarus. NATO expects 30,000 Russian troops to arrive in Belarus by the Feb. 10 start of the second phase of the "Allied Resolve" exercise, the most Russian troops present in the country since the Cold War era.

Iran's Arc of Influence

The Ukraine Conflict

U.S.-China Relations

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended Stratfor articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Blinken Visits Australia for a Quad Meeting, Russia and Belarus Begin Joint Exercises

France

Greece

Palestinian Territories

Turkey

People wait to be vaccinated at the COVID-19 vaccination center May 15, 2021, at the Porte de Versailles in Paris. After a slow start, France's COVID-19 vaccination program is gaining traction, and from May 31 vaccines will be available for all adults.

COVID-19

The Weekly Rundown: France Opens Vaccination to All Adults, an Israeli Election Deadline

South America: Split Decisions on Trade

Of the two candidates Costa Ricans have to choose between, one supports joining the Pacific Alliance free trade bloc, and the other doesn’t. 

Costa Rica: Sunday's Presidential Election Will Be a Vote for Trade Too

Reflections

Bahamas

Jamaica

The Real Effect of the Zika Virus

The true danger of the Zika outbreak could be its effect on regional demographics, which may not be felt for decades.

Sub-Saharan Africa

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Asia-Pacific

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Federated States of Micronesia

Indonesia

Kiribati

Laos

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Marshall Islands

Graphics

Paris Agreement Emphasizes Shift Away From Oil

The pace of the transition will be decided by how quickly new technologies reach the developing world.

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., Latin America: Rubio's Latin America Tour Underscores Trump's Focus on Immigration

Panama: President-Elect Considers Implementing Checkpoints at Darien Gap

Americas: Governments Pledge to Boost Trade, Promote Sustainable Supply Chains

Americas: 12 Countries Launch U.S.-Led Talks to Boost Economic Ties

Costa Rica: Cyber Attack Disrupts Hospitals, Clinics Across Country

Costa Rica: New President Will Face Fragmented Legislative Assembly

Costa Rica: Cubans Protest New Visa Requirements Near Costa Rican Embassy

Costa Rica: General Election to See Presidential Runoff Vote

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