Paso Canoas: The Irresponsibility of Two States

Conflicts of interest between carriers and the apathy of the authorities of Costa Rica and Panama have kept the border blocked for all regional trade.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

EDITORIAL

It's not just that immigration and customs officials do not provide a 24 hour service, as is needed, and as occurs at other Central American borders, but that in Paso Canoas, the governments of Costa Rica and Panama are not exercising their authority in a responsible manner, resulting in conflicts for one reason or another, with consequent blockades and closures that produce serious economic losses not only for Panamanians and Costa Ricans, but also for all Central American companies whose imports or exports pass through this border.

In relation to the current closure of Paso Canoas caused by blockades by some Costa Rican truckers, an article in Prensa.com reports that "Regarding the situation at the border, Foreign Minister Fernando Nunez Fabrega said "the diplomatic part has been done. I think the minister [Jose Raul] Mulino will at some point talk about this subject "... and that "Deianira Ramirez, in charge of business affairs at the Embassy of Costa Rica in Panama, said that Costa Rica has reiterated its adherence to the law and is even proposing amendments to be submitted to the Assembly, in order to ensure the dynamic movement of people and vehicles at the border. "

For its part, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Costa Rica issued an innocuous statement which affirms its "willingness to take the necessary measures, including modifications that will be forwarded to the Legislative Assembly, to ensure, definitively, the dynamic flow and mobility of people and traffic along its border with neighboring Panama. "

We only see a lot of talk, rather than specific actions being taken to ensure ongoing efficiency in the movement of people and goods, at a border crossing of prime importance to the regional economy.

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More on this topic

Blockades Continue on Costa Rica - Panama Border

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The union has exhausted dialogue with the regional government of Chiriqui and is a blockading the border preventing the movement of freight carriers in Central America.

The provincial government in Chiriqui has failed to prevent Panamanian carriers, organized by the National Chamber of Cargo Transportation in Panama, (Canatraca) from indefinitely blocking the passage of trucks across the border in Paso Canoas (information at time of going to press at 3:30 p.m).

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While on the Panamanian side there are about 25 people to process documents from carriers, on the Costa Rican side there are only 5 staff members to carry out these duties.

Blockade in Paso Canoas Lifted

August 2013

Costa Rican truckers have lifted the blockade which they were holding at Paso Canoas confident that the Panamanian authorities will comply with the agreements signed.

The truckers decided to end the five-day strike held in Paso Canoas and are hoping that the Costa Rican government will not permit them to suffer any more abuses by the State Border Service (SENAFRONT).

Chancellors Agreement Does Not Lift Blockade in Paso Canoas

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An agreement signed between the foreign ministries of Costa Rica and Panama was not enough for the Costa Rican truckers to lift the blockade in Paso Canoas, which has gone on for five days.

Juan Carlos Segura, a spokesman for the carriers, said that the 300 trucks at the border will remain in place because the compromise agreed by the ministers is a joke and does not address the abuses of the State Border Service of Panama (SENAFRONT).

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