Border with Costa Rica remains closed as presidential stand-off continues

Panama’s border with Costa Rica in  Pano Canoas, remain closed as nationwide protests and road blockades  continue to create traffic chaos and clashes with the police  and  a stand-off with President Carlos Alvarado, who refuses to meet with demonstrators until the blockades are lifted

He  told Costa Rican media that he will only meet with the National Rescue movement if the road closures are suspended.

The Alvarado administration informed José Miguel Corrales and Célimo Guido , leaders of Rescate Nacional, that it will not include them in the national dialogue if the blockades continue.

National Rescue was called by the National Association of Public Employees, the main union of state workers and had the support of some educator  unions.

The movement began in the middle of last week a series of roadblocks throughout Costa Rica to pressure the Alvarado government to desist from its negotiation proposal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

According to the Alvarado government, the agreement with the IMF is considered key to face the fiscal deficit, projected at 9.7% of gross domestic product for this year.

The government agreed pn  Sunday, October 4, to withdraw the proposal, criticized for promoting temporary taxes instead of cutting expenses, but the movement maintained the protests.

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