Costa Rica and CAFTA

The Central American Free Trade Agreement, also known as CAFTA, was pushed through Congress back in 2005. The 'free trade' pact involved the United States and five Central American nations (Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica) and was amended to include the Dominican Republic. Today it goes by the acronym DR-CAFTA.

Quickly after the pact was 'passed' in the United States Congress, four of the countries in Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras) were also quick to ram these agreements through their own legislatures despite large opposition in these countries. Shortly afterwards, the Dominican Republic also approved their entry into the agreement. The only country that has not ratified this agreement is Costa Rica.

Costa Rica, one of Latin America's oldest democracies, has decided to put the issue of approval to the voters. A nationwide referendum takes place this Sunday and large numbers of Costa Ricans are expected to turn out and vote. This, in itself, is truly amazing. In true democratic fashion, the citizens get to decide what course to take in regards to economic policies, not lobbyist and corrupt politicians.

The effort by corporations and their minions have not been to stand idly by, however. A well financed 'scare campaign' has been in full effect. The major media in Costa Rica have run story after story about the horrors of not passing CAFTA (TLC in Spanish). The president, Oscar Arias, a rabid free trader, has taken to the national airwaves many times warning Costa Ricans that rejecting the treaty would be economic suicide. Even A.M. Costa Rica, the English language website from Costa Rica, regularly runs articles calling opponents of the treaty "socialists, Communists and anarchists".

Despite this vicious campaign, the resolution supporters are running behind in the polls. This past Sunday, a large demonstration was held in San Jose, the capitol city, by opponents of the treaty. The protesters, unlike the frequent characterizations of them, were professionals, farmers, families, students, public workers. A true cross section of society.

It will be interesting to see the outcome of this vote on Sunday. The election tribunal has already declared that the results could take 15 days to determine.

Here's a video of the demonstration this past Sunday. Enjoy...