Costa Rican Truckers
Block Panamanian Border
Members of the
Costa Rican Chamber of
Unitarian Truckers have
blocked the Panamanian
border to demand that
Oscar Arias' government
change the traffic law
and reduce diesel
prices.
The truckers have built
roadblocks to protest
against the presence of
the Spanish/Costa Rican company Riteve
- the monopoly on annual
vehicular inspections - and the negative
impact of increased fuel
prices on the poorest
sectors.
Chamber President
Marjorie Lizano pointed
out that the protest
will continue until they
can meet with state
authorities.
Previously, trade union
leaders called Arias and
pertinent political and
social organizations to
hold transparent talks
with the people to solve
the problem.
The communiqué,
published in Diario
Extra, noted that the
trade unions favor
debate and a reform of
the traffic law to
prevent accidents.
They criticized the
abusive and illegal
tariffs charged by
Riteve, and urged the
government to cancel the
contract with the
Spanish company.
The document sent to the
President of the
Republic also demanded a
discussion of the
measure taken by the
Authority that Regulates
Public Services to set
diesel prices.
The strikers blocked
truck access on the
Panamanian border on
Tuesday, although the
traffic of private cars
and tourism vehicles is
normal.
Their Panamanian
colleagues took a
similar measure on
Monday, the newspaper
recalled. |
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