No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveCAFTA Ratified, Start Date Uncertain

CAFTA Ratified, Start Date Uncertain

DESPITE stiff opposition and sometimes-violent protests, the free-trade agreement between the United States, Central America and the Dominican Republic (CAFTA) was ratified this year by all participating countries except for Costa Rica, which is still deliberating (see Tico Times).

The trade pact, which is expected to favor Central American textile and sugar industries while potentially presenting problems for several other agricultural and sensitive economic sectors, was initially scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1, 2006, though that s now looking doubtful.

The reason: the United States is demanding that the Central American countries each have modern intellectual property rights laws a legislative stipulation that Central American governments are claiming wasn t clear during negotiations.

As it stands in late December, only El Salvador and the United States will enter into the free-trade pact on Jan. 1. The other countries will be allowed in later on a rolling basis, after complying with the requirements.

Of the other Central American countries, Nicaragua is reportedly the closest to compliance and will be allowed in as soon as it passes a new intellectual property rights law. The Dominican Republic, according to CAFTA insiders, is nowhere close to being ready.

The uncertain start date is the latest question mark in a free-trade agreement that this year mobilized hundreds of thousands of protesters throughout the region. In some cases, specifically in Guatemala, the protests quickly turned violent, with demonstrators clashing with riot police.

There were also several pro-CAFTA marches staged this year in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, where employees of textile plants and other free-trade enthusiasts rallied for the trade pact.

Much of the participation in both the pro and anti-CAFTA marches was manufactured by interest groups either the free-trade zones instructing employees to go outside and cheer for their jobs, or left-of-center political parties and unions that bused people to the anti-rallies.

With free trade coming, polls indicate that many Central Americans are still unclear what CAFTA is all about, regardless if they placard they carried in the march said CAFTA SÍ or CAFTA NO.

 

Trending Now

Costa Rica Stars in Variety’s Top Ten Film Locations

Variety Magazine named our small piece of paradise a top filming destination in its latest featured article, “Ten Locations to Die For,” spotlighting our...

Fishing, Wildlife, and History in Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado

Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado is a magical and charming town. It’s one of the country’s hidden gems, best known for its world-class sport...

Retired Nicaraguan Army Captain Sentenced to 50 Years for Treason

A retired military officer was sentenced to 50 years in prison in Nicaragua for the crime of "treason against the homeland," his family denounced...

U.S. – Guatemala Security Pact Targets Crime and Helps Returning Migrants

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem signed a border security cooperation agreement with Guatemala on Thursday, which includes the use of drones and...

Costa Rica’s Eyelash Viper Snake Is One of the Most Beautiful

There are at least 141 different species of snakes in Costa Rica. With that large number of species packed into such a tiny nation,...

Costa Rica and Panama Seek Gold Cup Glory Against North American Giants

With no Caribbean teams advancing, a Central American contingent made up of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala heads into the quarterfinals of the...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica