Nationwide Protests Target Ground Transportation Thoroughfares Across Costa Rica
Since September 30, protesters have demonstrated across Costa Rica, targeting major ground transportation thoroughfares and stranding shipments of all types across the country. The protests are attributable to negotiations between President Carlos Alvarado and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that began in July and involve potential austerity measures to offset an anticipated 2020 budget deficit in excess of 9.7 percent of GDP. The loan could have ranged in approximate value from USD 1.75 to USD 2.25 billion and would likely involve 3 years of taxation and spending cuts and associated austerity measures. As negotiations progressed, a popular opposition led by former Costa Rican politicians formed, eventually resorting to active protests targeting commercial thoroughfares as a means of negotiating with the national government to reduce or eliminate austerity measures.
Beginning on September 30, a group of protesters have been mobilized by various supportive unions and the informal leadership of an organization called the National Rescue Movement. Total participation has been estimated to be in the range of approximately 2,000 to 2,500 participants. Protesters are targeting key commercial thoroughfares including port areas, major highways, and roads in front of key industrial sites, as detailed in the non-exhaustive list of known blockade points recorded by Everstream Analytics intelligence analysts (see table below).
On October 3, President Carlos Alvarado announced the withdrawal of his proposal to the IMF and called for protesters to clear roads. However, the National Rescue Movement denounced violent blockade interventions by security forces and reiterated their intent to continue on October 4, seeking to exert continued pressure and secure commitments not to pursue austerity measures. On the same day, the Paso Canoas border crossing point reopened for traffic; as a testament to the magnitude of the disruption, approximately 800 vehicles were stranded on either side of the border crossing at the time of reopening.
However, over time, the quantity of roadblock points recorded have increased, significantly increasing the probability of disruption for shipments in every industry. Disruption extends to medical supply transporters, as reports indicate that a public cargo transportation vehicle with oxygen cylinders for COVID-19 patients has also been blocked. Domestically, sources estimated on October 4 that the Costa Rican agricultural sector experienced losses of USD 37 million over the previous 48 hours due to cargo stranded in traffic. On October 6, sources reported that a record high of 95 blockades were active, including 57 total closure points and 38 closure points that allowed intermittent passage (see chart below).

In turn, disruptions to port operations have been reported. One source noted on October 6 that perishable items such as pineapples and bananas were stranded on vessels in the Caribbean because they were unable to access the Moin Container Terminal in Limon, Costa Rica. Cargo security has also come under threat as authorities struggle to maintain order and discourage unrest. Reports indicate that journalists have been discouraged by protesters from documenting vandalism and damages, but that an unspecified number of attacks have taken place against cargo vehicles amongst other targets, particularly in Puntarenas and Limon provinces.
On October 7, sources indicated an escalation of fuel disruptions, extortion, and violent confrontations between protesters and police, including the use of Molotov cocktails by protesters. Stranded cargo may be under enhanced risk for theft or vandalism, and social media sources have documented burning vehicles in the areas of Limon and Sarapiqui. Additionally, sources reported “toll” extortions from roadblock operators and vandalism against vehicle operators who refused to pay. At the same time, reports of fuel shortages are beginning to emerge, notably in San Carlos, Saraquipi, and more broadly in the North and South Zones.
Looking forward, blockades are likely to continue as the National Rescue Movement solidifies its influence and positions to negotiate. On October 6, the organization articulated 15 preconditions for the lifting of blockades including the abandonment of any proposal with the IMF, sale activity of state assets, or tax increases. Media reports suggested that negotiations between the National Rescue Movement and the government were scheduled to begin on October 7.
Supply chain managers should anticipate severe disruption to ground cargo movements along with significant delays at Costa Rican ports until an agreement between the National Rescue Movement and the Costa Rican government is reached that ends blockade activity. Until that point, transshipments through the country should be avoided wherever possible.
Area | Date Reported |
Ruta 1: Guanacaste, Cañas River Bridge | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 2: Kilometer 136, Loma Verde Sector | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 2: Kilometer 164, Longo, after the convent to Buenos Aires | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 2: Kilometer 191, El Ceibo River Bridge | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 2: Kilometer 196, Buenos Aires in front of Pindeco | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 2: Kilometer 221, Paso Real, entrance to San Vito | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 2: Kilometer 350, Panamanian Customs Canoas | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 3: Heredia, 100 meters North of the Universidad Hispanoamericana | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 4: Puente de Río Frío, in Guatuso | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 4: Monterrey, Arenal River | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 4: Kooper Turn, Altamira | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 4: Kilometer 37, in front of Chilamate school, in Sarapiquí | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 6: Upala Canalte, Higuerón River Bridge | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 6: Upala gutter, Zapote River metal bridge | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 21: Santa Cruz Bridge | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 21: Guard, Tempisque Bridge | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 34: Quepos Bridge | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 35: Terron Colorado | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 35: Dock Crossing, 600 South Of the Colonus | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 36: Limon Biscay, Banana River to Sixaola | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 36: Hone Creek Limon | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 126: Crossing with Ruta 140, in San Miguel de Río Cuarto | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 118: Sarchí River Bridge | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 118: Tacares of Grecia. Ingenio Bridge | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 140: Termales del Bosque | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 140: Entrance to Toro Amarillo | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 140: Aguas Zarcas River Bridge | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 141: Zarcero – Naranjo | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 141: Zarcero – Health Unit | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 141: San Carlos, Cruce de Javillos | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 142: Tilarán, crossing of Aguilares | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 244: Pérez Zeledón, Pejibaye | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 245: Puerto Jiménez, Rincón River Bridge | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 247: Guácimo, Bridge of the Tortuguero River | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 249: Guápiles, Ticabán- La Teresa | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 702: Lower Rodriguez, in front of soda La Negrita | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 702: San Lorenzo River Bridge | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 702: Peñas Blancas River Bridge | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 702: San Lorenzo, in front of Tierras Enamoradas | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 708: Colonia, Departure to Rio Cuarto | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 805: Siquirres, Caño Blanco, El Cocal | October 7, 2020 |
Cantonals: Fortuna, Monterrey Hotel Springs | October 7, 2020 |
Ruta 2 | October 6, 2020 |
Ruta 4 | October 6, 2020 |
Ruta 32 | October 6, 2020 |
Ruta 34 | October 6, 2020 |
Ruta 35 | October 6, 2020 |
Ruta 36 | October 6, 2020 |
Ruta 126 | October 6, 2020 |
Ruta 140 | October 6, 2020 |
Ruta 141 | October 6, 2020 |
Ruta 160 | October 6, 2020 |
Ruta 702 | October 6, 2020 |
Ruta 708 | October 6, 2020 |
Naranjo | October 5, 2020 |
San Ramón (Aserradero) | October 5, 2020 |
Grecia (Fanal Factory) | October 5, 2020 |
San Rafael (Panasonic) | October 5, 2020 |
Dominical Bridge (Barú) | October 5, 2020 |
Ceibo (Buenos Aires) | October 5, 2020 |
Paso Canoas (customs sector) | October 5, 2020 |
Cariari (Barrio la Sole) | October 5, 2020 |
León Cortés | October 5, 2020 |
Loma Verde (Pérez Zeledón) | October 5, 2020 |
Cedral junction (Ciudad Quesada) | October 5, 2020 |
Ruta 32 (Chirripó River) | October 5, 2020 |
Siquirres (Cocal) | October 5, 2020 |
Chilamate | October 5, 2020 |
Cariari (Tortuguero Bridge) | October 5, 2020 |
Siquirres (Cocal) | October 5, 2020 |
Altamira Crossing (Aguas Zarcas) | October 5, 2020 |
Ruta 31 | October 4, 2020 |
Ruta 1 (Interamericana Norte) | October 4, 2020 |
Ruta 2 (Interamericana Sur) | October 4, 2020 |
The Costanera | October 4, 2020 |
Ruta 27 | October 4, 2020 |
Florencio del Castillo roads (San Jose – Cartago) | October 4, 2020 |
Ruta 32 (San Jose – Limon) | October 2, 2020 |
Port of Caldera | October 2, 2020 |
Fuente de la Hispanidad, San Jose | October 2, 2020 |
Ruta 27 | October 2, 2020 |
Port of Caldera | October 2, 2020 |
Port of Moin | October 2, 2020 |
Penas Blancas (border crossing) | October 2, 2020 |
Paso Canoas (border crossing) | October 2, 2020 |
Ruta 27 | October 1, 2020 |
Ruta 32 | October 1, 2020 |
Fuente de la Hispanidad, San Jose | October 1, 2020 |
Ruta 1 (Interamericana Norte) | October 1, 2020 |
Ruta 2 (Interamericana Sur) | October 1, 2020 |