Fuel crisis in Costa Rica Averted

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA – September 5^th, 2012 – The gasoline carriers ended the fuel blockade which started on Monday, causing many gas stations to run out of fuel yesterday.

The Government stated on Monday afternoon that if the tanker trucks would not voluntarily remove themselves from the RECOPE gates, they would be moved by force. The threat turned out to be unnecessary, as the truck drivers gave up, and around 10:00 a.m. started to load fuel cargos while being guarded by the Fuerza Publica in Cartago and Puntarenas. In La Garita, Alajuela, things went back to normal a few hours later, and other RECOPE centers such as the one in Limon also reported that the situation had ended.

The tanker trucks began distributing fuel just as about 70% of gas stations were without supply, and those stations which did have fuel were being overrun with motorists.

According to Reynaldo Quiros, president of the Chamber of Fuel Carriers,  “we are giving way for the wellbeing of the country, because running out of gasoline supply can cause serious damage, the tanker trucks are back on the road, however, some have routes that take over 8 hours to reach their final destination, like in the southern area or Guanacaste.”

The Chamber of Fuel Carriers will be meeting today with the Environment and Energy Ministry ( MINAE) to settle their issues.

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