  Since last week, protesters led by former deputies José Miguel Corrales and Célimo Guido, have organized roadblocks in several cities around the country. - Movimiento Rescate Nacional photos - |
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 Published Thursday, October 8, 2020 50
people arrested for blocking roads
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff Since Oct.1, about 50 people have been arrested for obstructing public streets, resisting authorities and attacking with a weapon, according to Ministry of Security. The people arrested were allegedly blocking roads in the provinces of San José, Heredia, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limón. Since last week, members of the group Movimiento Rescate Nacional (National Rescue Organization in English) created by former deputies José Miguel Corrales and Célimo Guido, have organized roadblocks in several cities around the country, as a way of rejecting the government plan to increase taxes as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund, IMF, for a loan of $ 1.75 billion. However, following the announcement by President Carlos Alvarado on Sunday, that the tax plan to the IMF was canceled, the protests have not ended. In the case of the blockades in Limón Province, the police report that several officers were attacked by the protesters, as well as causing damage to police vehicles, buses, people in their vehicles passing through the streets and people who tried to cross the streets on foot. The blockades that began in September have caused a massive wave of damage in various sectors of the country, the Ministry of Security said in its statement. This social chaos occurs in the middle of the national health emergency due to the covid-19 pandemic and generates a negative effect on the process of economic recovery, the ministry said. According to the ministry, the government has called on the protesters to stop the blockades and encouraged their leaders to start talks with the authorities to reach an agreement. However, the blockades continue. Approximately 1,600 people are protesting in the streets and blocking 53 main roads, in addition to 33 public areas throughout the country and about 100 police officers wounded, said the ministry. The arrested people were taken to the cells of the Public Ministry where they must wait until a judge orders the pre-trial measures against them for obstruction of public roads, disruption of social order, and attacking police officers. One of the leaders of the protesters, Corrales said in a press conference on Tuesday, that the violence in the marches have been caused by drug traffickers who have infiltrated into groups of protesters. "Those (referring to acts of violence) that are along the highway are being caused by drug traffickers," he said. Regarding the government's call to stop the protests, Corrales said they will be willing to negotiate until the government includes all the leaders who represent the different groups that are marching. -------------------- Should the protesters end the blockades? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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