Illegal mining & border security: Costa Rica President Laura Fernández was rushed out of the Crucitas mining area after a loud blast interrupted her visit to assess damage from illegal gold extraction near the Nicaraguan border, underscoring the ongoing security crisis tied to environmental harm. Invasive species & wetland restoration: Florida officials flagged the spectacled caiman as an established invasive expanding in the Everglades, warning it could complicate the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and stressing how the pet trade can reshape ecosystems. Extreme weather risk: Scientists say El Niño has officially begun, raising odds of hotter conditions and knock-on impacts like drought, food insecurity, and energy shortages—relevant for Central America’s climate stress. Livestock disease prevention: Michigan moved to restrict animal movements from Texas and New Mexico after New World screwworm detections, aiming to protect local livestock and pets. Regional integration: SICA named Costa Rica’s Ambassador Lina Eugenia Ajoy Rojas as its first woman Secretary General, with Nicaragua included among member states. Maritime disaster: Costa Rica’s North Pacific search continues for four missing fishermen from the Roxana II after Tropical Storm Cristina rough seas, while a separate Nicaraguan boat rescue ended with survivors.