Loan sharking rises 21% in Costa Rica, while 95% of cases end in violence.

Between January and July 2026, Costa Rica experienced a 21% increase in reported cases of 'gota a gota' (drop-by-drop) predatory lending compared to the same period in 2025. Data provided by the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) indicates that 95% of these lending cases culminate in acts of aggression against the borrowers.