Panama and Costa Rica reach agreement on cargo transit amid the crisis

• Panama said on Wednesday that it reached a binational agreement with Costa Rica that allows the transportation of Panamanian cargo to circulate through the neighboring country, which established restrictions on foreign truckers that have generated a crisis that threatens to shortage food and supplies to the region.
• After detecting COVID-19 in fifty truck drivers from different countries, the Government of Costa Rica issued two decrees, in force since last Monday, that restrict the transit of these personnel through the country, a unilateral measure that has been criticized by others.
• Since last Sunday, a group of Panamanian transporters blocked the Paso Canoas border post in rejection of the ethical measures, which include delivering cargo to Costa Rican drivers at the border.
• The bilateral agreement reached by Panama and Costa Rica "achieves a solution for compatriots, guarantees the flow of merchandise and facilitates trade in the region, amid the aftermath generated by the COVID-19 pandemic

(Source: Fitch)