Costa Ricans Urge for CAFTA Ratification; Poll Reveals
Many adults in Costa Rica believe their government should sanction a commerce deal with the United States, according to a poll by Universidad de Costa Rica. 50.5 per cent of respondents think the Legislative Assembly should ratify the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) or the Tratado Libre de Comercio (TLC) as it is known locally.

In May 2004, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua agreed to the CAFTA with the U.S. The Dominican Republic followed suit in August. The agreement - which would reduce or eliminate taxes and tariffs on imports - still has to be approved by each country’s legislative branch.

To date, Costa Rica remains the only country that has not ratified CAFTA. Current president Abel Pacheco had postponed debate on the trade deal until the Legislative Assembly approves a series of bills related to the country’s fiscal system.

In December, Pacheco submitted the CAFTA ratification bill to the Legislative Assembly, along with the fiscal plan he has been trying to get approved for more than three years. The legislative session could extend until Apr. 30. CAFTA was supposed to come into effect on Jan. 1.

On Jan. 22, leaders from the CAFTA signatories met in San Salvador to discuss the deal’s implementation. Costa Rica was represented by finance minister David Fuentes.

Polling Data

Do you think the Legislative Assembly should ratify the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)?

Yes                 50.5%
No                   29.5%
No opinion     20.1%


Source: Universidad de Costa Rica
Methodology: Interviews with 608 Costa Rican adults, conducted from Nov. 11 to Nov. 22, 2005. Margin of error is 4 per cent.