Costa Rica: Opposition grows vs. free trade pact

Controversy over an alleged “dirty” campaign has led to a surge in anti-free trade sentiment in Costa Rica which included a march yesterday attended by about 100,000 people (image).

The anti-free trade forces have been strengthened by a memo leaked to the press last month that revealed a detailed campaign to smear free trade opponents as friends of Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro, and to ''stimulate fear'' amongst Costa Ricans. The leaked communiqué has hurt senior politicians and government officials, and even led to the resignation of one of the country’s vice presidents.

After once holding a comfortable lead in the polls the pro-free trade factions have seen their lead shrink only days before the populace is to vote on Sunday over joining a multilateral free trade agreement with the U.S. and several Central American states.

Earlier today, former Costa Rican minister Alberto Trejos warned that the U.S. government and Congress would not renegotiate with the Central American country should a “no” vote win on Sunday.

Sources (English)- Reuters, miamiherald.com, Latinamerica Press, Canada.com, Angus Reid Consultants

Sources (Spanish)- aldia.co.cr

Image- nacion.com