I focus on Central America because it is a region that is frequently misunderstood and too often analyzed from far away.

I moved to Costa Rica several years ago and now live and work in the region. In my day job I work directly with Costa Rican communities and have developed a strong interest in financial inclusion small businesses and how economic policy shows up in everyday life rather than just in statistics.

I hold a masters degree in Global Studies and International Business Negotiation from the University of Salamanca and a Bachelors degree in Public Communication from American University. That academic background informs how I approach political economy trade and institutional risk but the analysis here is grounded as much in lived experience as in theory.

My work looks at political risk economic direction and long term structural trends across Central America. I am less interested in headlines and short term noise and more focused on the incentives constraints and pressures shaping decisions inside governments businesses and societies.

I write country outlooks and regional analysis with an emphasis on clarity and realism. That means acknowledging uncertainty avoiding exaggerated predictions and being honest when the data or situation is mixed. When risks outweigh opportunities I say so. When progress is real but fragile I try to explain why.

My approach draws on public data election results multilateral institutions regional reporting and historical context. Just as important I try to read between the lines understanding not only what governments say but what they are likely to do given their political and economic realities.

This project is independent. There are no sponsors political affiliations or predetermined conclusions. Every piece reflects my own assessment or that of a contributing author at the time it is written.

Central America is not a single story. Each country faces different constraints timelines and possibilities. My goal is to document those differences thoughtfully and in plain language for readers who want insight rather than hype.

Thanks for reading!

Ben Grafe

(Founder & Editor, Central America Economic Review)