Tuesday's Protest A Bust
The protest called by Porteadores for yesterday was a lot of  smoke but little sizzle.

In San José the protest went almost un-noticed. The area around the Asemblea Legislativa (Legislative Assembly) was totally cordoned off by police, but few showed up to protest. The same occurred outside Casa Presidencial and the main offices of the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT).

In Cartago, Alajuela, Liberia, Puntarenas and Jacó pretty much of the same occurred, as Porteadores - the informal taxi operators - took seriously the MOPT minister's threat to take tough action against those who blocked traffic and caused disturnances.

Karla González, MOPT minister, was adamant that her Tránsito (traffic) officials would not tolerate disruptions or blockades on the highways, as nearly one half of the Tránsito force was on duty at major key intersections around the country.

In total, 35 Porteadores were fined for various infractions to the Ley de tránsito (traffic laws), like illegal parking and having tinted windows. In addition, one vehicle had its plates confiscated when found that the plates were false, though there was no confirmation if the driver was part of the protest.

In cartago and La Uruca (San José), two Tránsito officials were attacked by the protestors.

In front of the legislative building a group of some 40 to 50, mainly women and children, formed the protest group, hundreds short of the expected turn out. Both Repetrel and Teletica mobile news television crews stood by and decided to cut the report short as the protest fizzled.

According to MOPT vice-minister, Viviana Martín, many Porteadores decided to stay away from the protest in fear of sanctions.

And so did many drivers, who fearing roadblocks and massive traffic jams, either kept their cars at home or drove to work earlier than normal. Traffic on the busiest highway in the country, the General Cañas - the main road between San José and the airport - felt like it was a Sunday, with little traffic moving in either direction.

Porteadores was the legislators to legalize their status and not remove the "porteo" - the private contracting of taxi service - from the Codigo de Comercio (Commercial law) and are not accepting the MOPT proposal to issue them taxi plates, as long as they comply with the existing taxi laws.

Formal taxi operators are threatening to protest if the government pushes forward the plan to issue Porteadores taxi plates or legalize their status.