Daniel Ortega: More than 1,000 carriers stranded on the Nicaraguan-Costa Rican border

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in a new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in a new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in a new window)
• Click to email a friend (Opens in a new window)

Margarita Gurdián: "The pandemic has no political colors" 0:49

(CNN Spanish) - The president of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, said on Monday in the national network that the measures adopted by Costa Rica to limit the entry of cargo trucks from his country keep more than 1,000 Central American carriers stranded.

The consequence of the measure, according to Ortega, is the paralysis of trade from Guatemala to Panama, since these means of transport carry raw materials and food throughout the region.

Several Central American transport federations have expressed concern about the economic losses and the conditions in which their drivers are in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic.

• LEE: Costa Rica warns of regional effects of covid-19 management in Nicaragua

In a press conference from San José, the Health Minister of Costa Rica, Daniel Salas, explained that the measures applied by the government of that country seek to stop the spread of covid-19, after 50 carriers tested positive, 11 of them Nicaraguan. Costa Rican health authorities carry out screening tests on all cargo carriers entering the country.

According to the official website El 19 Digital, President Ortega explained that in one part of the Nicaraguan border with Costa Rica, there are 942 trucks from different countries in the region lined up, and in another area another 68 trucks are waiting. "There is a total of 1,010 transports that are unable to pass from our country to the south because the Costa Rican authorities have their borders closed to merchandise."

The Consultative Committee on Economic Integration, an instance that represents the region's private sector, through a statement released on its social networks this week, asked the government of Costa Rica to reconsider the decrees "that when applied will have a negative impact in the regional supply of essential products to combat covid-19 and adequate access to food for the population ”.

The president of the Superior Council of the Nicaraguan Private Company, José Adán Aguerri, said in his Twitter account that “we share the approaches of the regional private sector, given the situation that the transportation sector is facing. The population must be protected from the pandemic, but it must also be protected by guaranteeing food and essential products in their homes. ”

From this Monday, the transfers of merchandise within Costa Rica must be carried out using drivers from that country or legal residents, with a security escort and in previously disinfected units.

covid-19Daniel OrtegaFrontierPandemicRestrictions