Finance Ministry

The Presidency says the financial support is necessary to prevent an economic crisis. Critics, meanwhile, argue the loan is not needed

The Public Security Ministry (MSP) intervened late Thursday night and early Friday morning to clear roadblocks on several important Costa Rican roads, authorities reported. 

Daniel Calderón, director of the National Police, said that 22 blockade points were reported throughout the country — although none were in San José, unlike Wednesday.

Protesters blocked roads and ports in different parts of Costa Rica on Wednesday

Planned demonstrations throughout the country could block Costa Rican highways and cause other disruptions Wednesday.

Hundreds of buses crowded the streets of the Costa Rican capital on Tuesday in a protest to demand support from the government in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hundreds of unionists and municipal leaders marched Thursday through the capital and other cities in Costa Rica in protest of the austerity policies promoted by the government to contain public spending amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Costa Rican government predicts a fiscal deficit of up to 9.7% of GDP as a result of falling revenues and expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to S&P, Costa Rica's deficit could rise to 9% in 2020 without significant changes in 2021.

Costa Rica intends to grow industrial hemp, attract wealthy retirees, and encourage the science and health technology sectors as avenues for economic recovery.