Caribbean & Central America - March 2005
Muted protests greet first Cafta signings
The enactment of the Central American free trade agreement (Cafta) between the US and five Central American nations is one step closer now, after Guatemala and Honduras ratified the treaty in March. El Salvador was the first to do so in December. Hailed by all of the participating national governments as a catalyst for change and a spur for economic regeneration and regional integration, Cafta is a divisive issue: two protesters died in Guatemala in clashes with the police as farmers, indigenous groups and students sought to block ratification of the treaty, and protesters invaded the national assembly in Honduras. Perhaps fearful of triggering similar protests, Costa Rica and Nicaragua are prevaricating over a ratification date. Notwithstanding the protests, which occasionally spilled over into violence, the size and coherence of the demonstrations will have come as a disappointment to the anti-Cafta movement.
The enactment of the Central American free trade agreement (Cafta) between the US and five Central American nations is one step closer now, after Guatemala and Honduras ratified the treaty in March. El Salvador was the first to do so in December. Hailed by all of the participating national governments as a catalyst for change and a spur for economic regeneration and regional integration, Cafta is a divisive issue: two protesters died in Guatemala in clashes with the police as farmers, indigenous groups and students sought to block ratification of the treaty, and protesters invaded the national assembly in Honduras. Perhaps fearful of triggering similar protests, Costa Rica and Nicaragua are prevaricating over a ratification date. Notwithstanding the protests, which occasionally spilled over into violence, the size and coherence of the demonstrations will have come as a disappointment to the anti-Cafta movement.
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