Nicaraguan asylum pressure in the region: Costa Rica says refugees and asylum seekers are now about 4.5% of its population, with most arrivals coming from Nicaragua after the 2018 crisis—putting strain on housing, schools, health care, and border communities. Nicaragua under U.S. scrutiny: A U.S. case adds to the week’s Nicaragua-linked legal headlines, with a Nicaraguan man pleading guilty in a cruise-ship sexual assault case after being extradited from Costa Rica. OAS leadership shake-up: At the OAS General Assembly in Panama, Reuters reports senior U.S. diplomats resigned or were dismissed after clashes tied to a Trump-nominated ambassador, raising fresh questions about the bloc’s funding, governance, and direction—especially toward human rights and democracy. Religious Freedom Week focus: U.S. Catholic bishops’ Religious Freedom Week includes a daily intention that explicitly mentions Nicaragua, alongside immigration enforcement and other rights concerns. Regional security talks: U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau is meeting Panama’s president on borders, illegal immigration, transnational crime, and democratic governance, with Nicaragua listed among key coordination priorities.