Alvarado also expressed his concern about unemployment, which last year reached 12% of the economically active population, the highest rate in recent years.
Costa Rica’s controversial fiscal reform proposal took a step toward becoming law Friday evening when the Legislative Assembly approved the bill after a lengthy first debate.
Delays on the approval of fiscal reforms prompted Fitch Ratings to downgrade Costa Rica's Long-Term currency bonds earlier this month and ratings for six banks, including four state-owned banks.
Those who fail to submit informative returns before the extended deadline are exposed to fines ranging from 10 to 100 base salaries, equivalent to ₡4.2-₡42 million ($7,475-74,750).
Libertarian lawmaker and former presidential candidate Otto Guevara says he'll decide next year whether to run for president, but that his party should learn a few things from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's playbook.
The Finance Ministry this week reported that problems with Customs duties in the past year resulted in the seizure of thousands of packages, most of them online purchases made between October and December, boosted by Black Friday and Christmas.
