Sudden Death Prevention: A new UCR study warns up to 1,114 people a year in Costa Rica may face elevated risk of sudden death due to gaps in timely diagnosis of hereditary heart diseases, urging earlier detection and family screening. Energy & Infrastructure: ICE has awarded the contract for electromechanical generation equipment for the 55-MW Borinquen I geothermal project, with signing expected in late 2026 and construction projected to start in July 2027. Extradition Update: Costa Rican courts cleared the last domestic hurdle to extradite “Macho Coca” (Gilbert Bell Fernández) to the U.S., ending a pending fuel-theft case and moving the transfer forward. Diplomacy in Focus: President Laura Fernández backed U.S. pressure on Cuba, calling dictatorship oppression a clear moral line, and reaffirmed Costa Rica’s decision to withdraw its Havana embassy. Regional Integration: Lina Ajoy was elected Secretary General of SICA, a milestone as the first Costa Rican and second woman to lead the bloc. Trade & Travel: IKEA’s Costa Rica rollout is underway via online sales and hiring, while Delta announced a new New York–Guanacaste route starting Dec. 19. Security & Crime: Border Police seized nearly 11 million colones in smuggled World Cup postcards in Golfito. Environment: Researchers discovered a new marine worm species in Santa Rosa National Park, named Sthenelais onca.