More Information on Protests

  Article Published by AM Costa Rica 

On Monday, former deputies José Miguel Corrales and Célimo Guido, who created the group Movimiento Rescate Nacional (National Rescue Organization in English), met with José Rafael Quirós, bishop of San José and representative of the Catholic Church, who participated as a mediator between protestors and the government.

According to Quirós, after the meeting he was in charge of delivering a letter with a list of demands for the government. Depending on the final resolution of the authorities, the roadblocks would be stopped.

Furthermore, the Union of public high-school teachers,  known as APSE, will be marching today,  in support of the protests,  from La Sabana Canton to the Congress. They are demanding the deputies for no more tax approval. The majority of the deputies of the Congress announced that they will not support the so-called government tax plan.

Since the government announced a new tax plan, the protests took place as a way of rejecting the plan to increase taxes and create new taxes as part of the agreement with the International Monetary Fund, IMF, for a loan of $ 1.75 billion.

However, following the announcement by President Carlos Alvarado on Sunday, that the tax plan to the IMF was withdrawn, the protests have not ended.

According to former deputy Guido the list of demands are several proposals to move the country forward. Among the demands would be the definitive cancellation of any negotiation plan with the IMF, the control of tax evaders, and as the main request the reduction of government spending.

Until an agreement is reached between the government and protesters, the leaders warn that the blockades in the streets may continue, they said.