No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaSupreme Court condemns Costa Rican government for not lifting road blocks

Supreme Court condemns Costa Rican government for not lifting road blocks

The Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court on Tuesday condemned the Costa Rican government for refraining from lifting the roadblocks in recent weeks, in which protesters demonstrated against a proposal to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The court unanimously accepted a writ of habeas corpus against the Ministry of the Presidency and the National Police for not removing those who impeded circulation on at least 40 sections of roads throughout the country.

According to the ruling of the constitutional chamber, the demonstrations called by the self-proclaimed Movimiento Rescate Nacional (National Rescue Movement) sought to hinder the country’s road infrastructure and access to seaports.

“Such intention cannot be considered to constitute a legitimate aspect of freedom of expression, since its ultimate purpose is not the expression of an opinion or the transmission of a message, but rather the generation of significant damage to public order,” said judge Paul Rueda Leal, author of the ruling.

The roadblocks broke out on Wednesday, September 30, in rejection of a government proposal to negotiate an agreement with the IMF, which was criticized for its emphasis on temporary tax increases rather than reducing spending.

Although the proposal was withdrawn on October 4, the movement maintained demonstrations.

The Minister of the Presidency, Marcelo Prieto, said the government has acted “with diligence” in the face of the blockades. He defended the work of the police and stressed that it has emphasized a path of dialogue with protesters.

“Since September 30, when this movement began, until yesterday (Monday), 115 interventions have been carried out to lift as many blockade points. There are 100 policemen wounded, beaten, injured in these efforts,” Prieto said in a statement.

The same movement organized a march in the capital on Monday that ended in a violent confrontation with the police in front of the Presidential House, culminating in the use of tear gas to disperse protesters.

Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado and the president of the Legislative Assembly, Eduardo Cruickshank, called for a national dialogue that will begin Saturday in search of an agreement to face the country’s fiscal crisis.

The country closed 2019 with a fiscal deficit of 6% of GDP, which threatens to reach 9.7% of GDP as a result of the containment measures for the covid-19 pandemic.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Women’s National Team Coach Steps Down Amid World Cup Push

The Costa Rican Soccer Federation dropped a major update this week: Spanish coach Beni Rubido is stepping down from his role with the women's...

Costa Rica’s Nayara Springs Named Among World’s Best Hotels by MICHELIN

Nayara Springs, a secluded adults-only resort near Arenal Volcano National Park, has claimed the highest spot in the MICHELIN Guide's new hotel rankings. The...

Juanes Lands in Costa Rica to Shoot Videos for New Tracks

Colombian singer Juanes has arrived in Costa Rica, turning our country's landscapes into backdrops for his latest music videos. The artist, known for hits...

Costa Rica Ranger Trapped After Falling off Cliff on Cocos Island

Rescue teams in Costa Rica continue their efforts to save a park ranger who fell down a 40-meter cliff on Isla del Coco. The...

Guatemala Joins Costa Rica and Ecuador in Building Anti-Gang Prisons

The Guatemalan government has put forward a new bill aimed at hitting gangs harder, with steeper sentences and a dedicated high-security prison, as the...

Family Beach Day in Costa Rica Exploring Tidepools and Wildlife

My two sons couldn’t be more different. They look completely different. They act completely differently. They eat different foods. They have different interests. This...
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