Following instructions given by President Carlos Alvarado, Costa Rica’s Public Security took control this Sunday evening of the ports of Limon and Moin of the Atlantic Zone Development and Port Administration Group (JAPDEVA), the Costa Rican Oil Refinery (Recope) and the Juan Santamaria and Daniel Oduber international airports in Alajuela and Liberia respectively.

“With these actions we are guaranteeing the Costa Rican population the continuity of the fuel supply, the port services and the traffic through the international aerial terminals, in response to the call for a general strike by the labor unions”, stated President Alvarado.

The actions were coordinated by the Public Police Force, the Coast Guard Service, and Air Surveillance with Recope’s management and the administration of JAPDEVA.
The President has been firm about taking the necessary measures to maintain public order and the continuation of essential services with the purpose of minimizing the negative effects the protests will have on the population.

Greivin Villegas, executive president of JAPDEVA, announced the activation of security and administrative protocols to handle the regular scheduling of cruise ships and cargo ships. “We are committed to guaranteeing national and international commerce, complete compliance with the work programmed regardless o the strike announced”, said Villegas.

In order to take control of the Moin and Limon ports, a tugboat was sent from Panama as well as personnel from this country and Colombia with the purpose of maintaining regular operations.

The Police Force took also control of Recope in Moin, Siquirres, Turrialba, El Alto de Ochomogo, La Garita, and Barranca.

The operation also extended to the Juan Santamaria and Daniel Oduber international airports with the goal of guaranteeing free transit through these aero terminals.

The Government guarantees it has the necessary personnel to handle the operations of ports, airports and fuel supply.