The holiday season means a spike at the Peñas Blancas border crossing with Nicaragua, as thousands of Nicaraguans visit family and friends in their homeland, and visitors in Costa Rica taking advantage of tourism in the country to the north.
The increased border traffic is having its toll on truckers, as the line to cross extends to more than 10 kilometers and that means days of waiting.
Some say they have been waiting for up to 4 days.
According to Costa Rica’s border officials, the main problem is the increase in imports and exports at this time of year. In addition to the large number of Nicaraguans and tourists passing through customs.
For the transport sector, the situation is worrisome. They complain that the drivers must spend days in the area, some without water and food, lack of security or bathroom facilities.
The truckers union points out the deficiency of personnel in general, customs and immigration agents, and drug control police among others.
Francisco Quirós of the Cámara de Transportistas says officials on the Costa Rican side of the border blame their counterparts in Nicaragua.
“While this is normal for the end of the year, we ask the authorities to watch over the carrier and not leave them abandoned,” Quirós said.
The union leader expressed concerned for the truckers, many have problem sleeping and getting meals.
