Central America
Costa Rica urged to expand prevention in the face of dengue fever rebound

November 6 |
The Costa Rican Ministry of Health warned on Saturday about the expansion of the dengue outbreak in the Central American nation, where 18,194 cases were reported as of October 21.
Through a press release, the ministry informed that this number of patients is triple compared to the same period in 2022, when the health authorities detected 6,097.
The report specified that the cases are concentrated in the Huetar Caribe region (5,218), followed by the Central North (4,110) and the Central Pacific (2,556).
Although cases are reported in other cantons of the country, the highest numbers of cases have been detected so far in Puntarenas (1,490), Sarapiquí (1,486), Pocococí (1,375), Alajuela (1,339), Siquirres (1,251) and San Carlos (1,144).
According to the data, the 18,194 cases of dengue equals a rate of 345.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In the period analyzed, in 2022, the rate reached 116.9 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The portfolio considered that the high presence of dengue could be related to “the circulation of 3 or 4 serotypes, so it is of utmost importance not to lower our guard and to reinforce prevention measures,” the text says.
The health authorities urged the population to “clean and constantly check the containers in which water is stored for domestic use, check and clean canoes, as well as put unused tires under roof or take them to the respective collection sites”.
In addition, they asked the public to facilitate access to homes by health officials in charge of spraying against the dengue transmitting agent, the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
The previous alert on the outbreak of dengue fever in Costa Rica dates back to September 6, when the increase in the number of infections was close to 42 percent. Since then, the Ministry of Health has reiterated that it is essential to work on prevention to reduce the presence of the disease.
Central America
UN complaint filed against Costa Rica over detention of migrant children

A group of human rights lawyers has filed a complaint against Costa Rica, alleging that the Central American nation violated the rights of dozens of migrant children by detaining them in a rural facility for nearly two months after they were deported from the United States in February.
The children — some as young as 2 years old — are part of a larger group of migrants, mainly from Afghanistan, China, Russia, and other Asian countries, who were deported from the U.S. as part of a broader immigration crackdown under former President Donald Trump.
Many had hoped to seek asylum in the U.S. and expressed fear about returning to their home countries. Instead, they were dropped off in Costa Rica and Panama, where they do not speak the local language. Originally intended as brief transit points, these countries have become a state of limbo, with migrants stuck for over 50 days.
Critics argue this is part of a U.S. strategy to “export” its deportation process, while human rights advocates warn that Costa Rica and Panama are becoming a “black hole” for deported migrants.
In Costa Rica, around 200 migrants — including 81 children — were taken to a rural migrant processing center near the border with Panama and held in a building that once served as a factory.
The complaint, filed Thursday night by the Global Strategic Litigation Council (GSLC) and other human rights groups, was submitted to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, alleging that Costa Rica breached international agreements under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Silvia Serna Román, one of the attorneys involved, said the migrants were detained without legal status and had no access to education or mental health services in their native languages. The prolonged detention is raising concerns about long-term psychological effects on the children, as many parents report signs of emotional distress such as isolation and sadness.
“These children are in a very crucial stage of development, and they’ve already fled difficult conditions in their home countries,” Serna Román said on Friday. “Now, they’re being subjected to prolonged detention and inhumane treatment. Parents are worried.”
Serna Román also said the migrants have had little access to legal counsel. The Costa Rican government has stated that detainees can leave the facility if they agree to return to their countries of origin or apply for asylum in Costa Rica.
Central America
Nicaraguan Exiles to Mark 7th Anniversary of 2018 Protests with Global Commemorations

The Nicaraguan opposition in exile announced on Thursday that it will commemorate the seventh anniversary of the April 2018 protests against the government of President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, with events in Costa Rica, the United States, and several European countries.
The commemorative activities—which will call for justice for the victims, as well as freedom and democracy for Nicaragua—will include religious services, public forums, cultural fairs, and other public gatherings, according to official announcements.
In April 2018, thousands of Nicaraguans took to the streets to protest controversial reforms to the social security system. The government’s violent response quickly turned the demonstrations into a broader call for the resignation of President Ortega, who is now 79 and has been in power since 2007.
The protests resulted in at least 355 deaths, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), although Nicaraguan organizations claim the toll is as high as 684. Ortega has acknowledged “more than 300” deaths and maintains the unrest was an attempted coup d’état.
International
Arsenal stun Real Madrid at the Bernabéu to reach Champions League semifinals

Arsenal enjoyed a “historic night” on Wednesday after defeating Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, knocking them out of the Champions League quarterfinals, midfielder Declan Rice said.
“It’s such a special night for this club, a historic night for this club,” said Rice, who scored twice in the first leg in London, speaking to TNT Sports.
The English international was named Man of the Match in both legs — the 3-0 win in London and the second leg in Madrid.
“It’s amazing. I knew we were on an upward trajectory and we’ve done incredibly well in this competition. We deserve it and we have full confidence in our coach. Reaching the semifinals is unbelievable,” Rice added.
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