No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchivePolls Not Much Help

Polls Not Much Help

Polls of public opinion on the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA) have been abundant – and often contradictory – in the years since Costa Rica began negotiations. In addition, last year’s down-to-the-wire presidential elections between pro-CAFTA candidate Oscar Arias and anti-CAFTA candidate Ottón Solís showed that polls, which had generally predicted a sturdy Arias victory, can fail miserably.

What’s more, if the polls show anything concrete, it’s that many Costa Rican are still unsure about the controversial pact. One of the most recent CAFTA polls, conducted by the firm Unimer for the daily La Nación and published March 13, showed 35% of respondents in favor of legislative ratification of CAFTA; 26% against; and a whopping 39% undecided.

In the same poll, only 37% of respondents said CAFTA would have “good” or “very good” effects on the country, down from 51% last September.

In short: it appears to be either side’s referendum to win.

 

Trending Now

Costa Rica Pushes USA to the Brink but Falls in Penalty Heartbreak

If you just caught the end of the USA vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup quarterfinal, you probably feel like you need another cup of...

When Will Poás Volcano National Park Reopen? Here’s What We Know

Although Poás Volcano has entered a more stable phase and the alert level has been lowered to green, the national park will remain closed...

Costa Rica’s Top Court Bans President Chaves from 2026 Election Campaign

Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Thursday barred President Rodrigo Chaves from participating in the 2026 election campaign, ruling that he "illegitimately used" his...

El Salvador Slams Paris Fashion Show Inspired by Cecot Mega-Prison Inmates

The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, joked on Saturday that he could send inmates from his mega-prison to France, after they were represented...

Costa Rica Surf Film Festival Honors ‘Pura Vida Bodysurfing’ with Top Audience Award

Pura Vida Bodysurfing is an award-winning short film that strips surfing back to its essence—riding waves without a surfboard. Filmed across Costa Rica’s legendary...

Climate Change in Costa Rica Devastates Coffee Farms in Los Santos

In Costa Rica’s Los Santos region, famous for producing nearly half the country’s coffee, farmers are reeling from heavy losses driven by wild weather....
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