No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveHundreds march against Monsanto in San José

Hundreds march against Monsanto in San José

Some 300 persons marched Saturday in San José against multinational biotechnology giant Monsanto, particularly to draw attention to the company’s presence in agriculture sectors of developing countries.

The march was part of a global initiative that took place in more than 400 cities, aimed at drawing attention to the alleged risks of genetically modified organisms, heavy use of agrochemicals, and the multinational company’s virtual monopoly on agricultural biotechnology.

“We not only oppose this corporation [Monsanto], but also we oppose the development model that it represents,” said Ignacio Arroyo, a representative of the Costa Rican environmental activist group Bloque Verde.

“Farmers become customers of big corporations that sell them patented seeds and agrochemicals. They are no longer the owners of their seeds”, he added.

Singing “queremos chicha, queremos maíz, queremos a Monsanto fuera del país” (“We want chicha [a fermented corn-based liquor], we want corn, we want Monsanto out of the country”), protesters began the march at the Plaza de la Cultura in downtown San José at 2 p.m. They walked along Central Avenue, visiting the capital’s two major markets, and then headed to Morazán Park and National Park.

Many carried signs saying “Monsanto mata” (“Monsanto kills”), “Seeds are free” and “La naturaleza no nesecita ser modificada” (“Nature doesn’t need to be modified”).

Several members of the Bloque Verde, which opposes the introduction of GMOs into the country and is one of the organizers of the march, handed out fliers with information to people who curiously watched the march pass by.

The USA Today reported that two million people joined the march around the world. Participating cities included Los Angeles and Portland, in the United States, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bogotá, Colombia, and many others.

In January, Costa Rica’s National Biosecurity Technical Commission granted U.S. Company Delta & Pine Land seed Ltda (D&PL), a local subsidiary of Monsanto, permission to grow genetically modified corn in the country.

The decision now faces a constitutional challenge by lawmaker José María Villalta of the Broad Front Party and local environmentalists. The case is under review by the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court.

Across the country, 56 cantons have voted to declare themselves GMO-free zones.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Peanut Growing Guide From Planting to Harvest

Not long ago, a neighbor gave us some peanuts she said were from Peru. Since we’ve had good luck growing peanuts, we were excited...

Costa Rica Faces Calls to Strengthen Shark Protection Enforcement

Costa Rica faces growing pressure from environmental experts and lawyers to tighten enforcement of laws protecting endangered sharks. Recent court rulings have highlighted gaps...

Scientists Identify New Salamander in Costa Rica’s Highest Peak Ecosystem

Scientists have identified a new salamander species in the remote páramo of Chirripó National Park, highlighting our country's rich biodiversity and the pressing challenges...

Costa Rica Joins US-Led Bid for 2031 Women’s Soccer World Cup

The United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica have teamed up to bid for hosting the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup. This marks the...

Costa Rica Arrests Suspects Wanted by U.S. for Cocaine Smuggling

Authorities in Costa Rica arrested four men from the southern part of the country, all wanted by the United States for extradition on charges...

Venezuela Sloth Rescue Exposes Wildlife Electrocution Crisis

Rescuers in Venezuela recently saved a sloth trapped on electrical lines, a scene that played out on social media and drew attention to a...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica