On November 11, more than 57 social sectors, including farmers, teachers, unions, and students, marched to the Presidential House in San José to protest against the policies of Rodrigo Chaves.

The president of Costa Rica, characterized by his authoritarian and confrontational personality, has taken a series of economic measures that have affected various sectors.

The most affected are farmers, mainly rice producers, in view of the fact that since 2022, the Government has reduced import taxes on this grain from 35% to 3.5%.

Producers argue that the sector cannot compete with import prices. According to data from the National Rice Corporation (Conarroz), local rice production has decreased by 59% since 2022.

The executive director of Conarroz, Minor Cruz, asked the Government to convene a bill that provides financial support to the rice sector in the face of the crisis caused by the increase in imports.

On the day of the protest, a caravan of more than 300 vehicles departed from Cartago with tractors, trucks, and agricultural machinery to reach the Presidential House in San José. Police set up barricades two blocks from the main entrance.

During the protest, police violently arrested Roy Fallas, president of the Central Regional Committee of Farmers’ Markets. Fallas is due to appear in court on November 21 for the crime of resisting authority.

Meanwhile, the education sector protested the cuts to public education. For years, the government has failed to comply with the constitutional mandate to invest 8% of GDP in education, resulting in salary arrears.

The protests are taking place amid a climate of tension due to the proximity of the presidential elections to be held in February 2026.