Roadblocks continued this Monday in Costa Rica in different key roads, particularly Route 32 which communicates San José and Limón.

The pressure by different sectors forced the resignation of Minister of Education Edgar Mora, one of the demands of the protesting groups.

Labor union leaders announced that roadblocks and other forms of protests will maintain throughout this week as they will present a list of 18 more demands. The government agreed to keep open dialogue.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Security began an operation at midnight this Tuesday to remove the roadblocks on different points of route 32.

The measure obeys to a directive by President Carlos Alvarado, who announced hours before the obligation of the State to guarantee free transit as well as the transportation of goods and fuel.

Michael Soto, Minister of Security, confirmed that shortly after midnight the police agents part of different bodies of the Ministry of Public Security removed trucks and other vehicles and objects that have been blocking, since last Thursday, key areas of Route 32 such as Liverpool and the crossway of Río Frío and Sarapiquí.

The Government has maintained dialogue with the different sectors bus has been unable to reach an agreement. “My duty is to achieve balance between social peace, stability, economic growth, the generation of employment and the respect for the rights of each Costa Rican, while at the same time guaranteeing public order and the respect for the law”, stated President Alvarado.

Groups are protesting mainly the implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) which began this Monday. The list of 18 petitions will be revealed tomorrow, among which is also the revision of educational programs.

Roadblocks and protests have affected many Costa Ricans and tourists since last Thursday.