CAFTA News

Fact Sheets & Reports
Talking Points #7: Costa Rica Protests U.S. Free Trade Agreement Center for International Policy, March 23, 2007
Members of Congress Providing Decisive Votes on Trade Deal Receive Jump in Corporate Campaign Cash Public Citizen, February 14, 2006

Articles & Statements
Free Trade’s Dubious Blessings: Nearly Five Years of DR-CAFTA in El Salvador and Its Constitutional Challenge TruthOut, October 6, 2010
Pacific Rim v. El Salvador and the Perils of Free Trade in the Americas Council on Hemispheric Affiairs, July 30, 2010
Trade agreement favors pharmaceutical companies over sick Economic Policy Institute, September 23, 2009
Textile Industry Concedes Defeat on DR CAFTA Just-Style September 11, 2009
El Salvador government considers ban on mining as permit freeze leads to CAFTA arbitration Investment Treaty News, September 2, 2009
Costa Rica’s Attorney General weighs in on CAFTA deadlines Tico Times, February 18, 2008
Administration Announces Intent to Apply Safeguard on Cotton Socks from Honduras United States Department of Commerce, January 18, 2008
Socks Burden Bush’s Trade Goals Wall Street Journal, January 17, 2008
Guatemala union heads killed despite US trade deal Reuters, October 18, 2007
Free Trade Undermining Democracy in Costa Rica? IATP, October 12, 2007

A slow fade for free trade San Francisco Chronicle, October 12, 2007
OAS Affirms Transparency of CAFTA Referendum ACAN-EFE, October 9, 2007
CAFTA Wins in Razor-Close Costa Rica Vote Public Citizen, October 8, 2007
“Yes” Victory Likely in Costa Rica CAFTA Referendum Tico Times, October 8, 2007
Schwab Says U.S. Won’t Renegotiate If Costa Rica Rejects Cafta Bloomberg, October 4, 2007
U.S. warns Costa Rica against rejecting CAFTA Reuters, October 4, 2007
Opposition Gains Strength as Pro-CAFTA Forces Caught in Manipulation Scheme Center for International Policy, October 2, 2007
Vice-President Debates CAFTA Tico Times, October 2, 2007
Thousands Rally Against CAFTA in Costa Rica Tico Times, October 1, 2007
CAFTA Protest Scheduled for Sunday Tico Times, September 28, 2007

CAFTA in Costa Rica Would Cause Deepening Inequality Center for International Policy, September 24, 2007
Vice-President Casas Resigns Tico Times, September 24, 2007
Costa Rica dealt wild card in trade pact rift LA Times, September 21, 2007
CAFTA Laws Take Center Stage Tico Times, September 20, 2007
Tribunal Calls for Investigation Into Government’s CAFTA Campaign Tico Times, September 11, 2007
E-Mail on CAFTA Campaign Ignites Controversy in Legislative Assembly Tico Times, September 10, 2007
Observers to Watch over CAFTA Referendum Tico Times, August 31, 2007
Tribunal Rules That Arias can Tout CAFTA on Tours Tico Times, August 29, 2007
Guatemala’s Kafta-esque Year Center for International Policy, August 24, 2007
Costa Ricans Split Ahead of CAFTA Vote Angus Reid Global Monitor, August 22, 2007

University Students Protest Tribunal Resolution On CAFTA Campaigns Tico Times, August 22, 2007
CAFTA’s October Referendum: A Death Sentence for Costa Rican Trade & Foreign Investment? Council on Hemispheric Affairs, August 14, 2007
Most Decided Voters Oppose CAFTA in Costa Rica Angus Reid Global Monitor, August 7, 2007
Costa Rican Voters Would Ratify CAFTA Angus Reid Global Monitor, August 6, 2007
Costa Rica Opposition Leader Calls for Renegotiation of CAFTA Bloomberg, July 25, 2007
Dead-End Trade Deal Nears Dead End Center for International Policy, July 25, 2007
Is CAFTA Good for Costa Rica? Economic Policy Institute, July 25, 2007
Train Wreck in Guatemala Wall Street Journal, July 23, 2007
Guatemala and Costa Rica: In and Out of CAFTA Center for International Policy, July 18, 2007
Costa Rica: Why We Reject CAFTA Center for International Policy, March 8, 2007

Dodging a Bullet in Costa Rica Time, March 8, 2006
Several Countries Balking at CAFTA Plunge New York Times, March 1, 2006
Salvadorans Protest Trade Deal With US Associated Press, February 28, 2006
Costa Rican Presidential Hopefule Promises to Obstruct CAFTA Financial Times, February 27, 2006
Guatemalan Demonstrators Protest Against CAFTA Voice of America, February 25, 2006
Costa Rican Election May Give Support to CAFTA Foes in US Wall Street Journal, February 7, 2006
Trade Accord With US Splits Voters in Costa Rica Los Angeles Times, February 7, 2006
Missed January 1 Deadline for Start of CAFTA Underlines the NAFTA Record & Threats of its Expansion Public Citizen, January 1, 2006
Costa Rica Leader Sends CAFTA to Congress Associated Press, October 21, 2005
Nicaragua Approves CAFTA with the U.S. Associated Press, October 11, 2005

Union Leaders Denounce 2 Who Voted For CAFTA New York Times, August 9, 2005
Rep. Hayes Flip-Flops His Initial “No” Vote to “Yes” At Last Minute for Empty Promises on Textiles…Again Public Citizen, August 1, 2005
Democracy Sold Out- CAFTA Approved by Pork & A Hill of Beans Global Exchange, July 29, 2005
CAFTA Vote Continues Outsourcing American Jobs & Agriculture Western Organization of Resource Councils, July 28, 2005
House Approves Free Trade Pact New York Times, July 28, 2005
Passage of CAFTA Bad News for Farmers Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy, July 28, 2005
Statement from Director of Friends of the Earth on CAFTA’s Passage July 28, 2005
Statement of Lori Wallach on CAFTA Final Vote in the House of Representatives Public Citizen, July 28, 2005
Turning the CAFTA Loss to A Win Independent Media Institute, July 28, 2005
United Steel Workers React to U.S. House Vote Approving CAFTA July 28, 2005

CAFTA: A Loss for Farmers & Rural Communities National Family Farm Coalition, July 27, 2005
CAFTA, A Job Killer Like NAFTA American Manufacturing Trade Action Coaltion, July 26, 2005
CAFTA Threatens Authority of State Medical and Dental Boards Congressman Norwood (R-GA), July 26, 2005
English Bill Provides Little in the Way of Dierect Action on China U.S. Business & Industry Council, July 26, 2005
White House Makes Deals for Support of Trade Pact New York Times, July 25, 2005
GOP Works Late to Keep You in the Dark The Plain Dealer, July 18, 2005
Say ‘No’ to CAFTA Huntsville Tiimes, July 17, 2005
State Legislators from 21 States Launch Anti-CAFTA Effort Public Citizen, July 14, 2005
Price Announces “No” Vote on CAFTA July 13, 2005
Urgent Action: Human Rights Leader Assassinated Guatemala Human Rights Commission, July 12, 2005

Urgent Action Alert: CAFTA Activist Threatened Association for the Promotion and Development of the Community, July 8, 2005
CAFTA Limps to House Where It’s Fate Will Be Sealed Public Citizen, June 30, 2005
Senate Approves CAFTA Bloomberg, June 30, 2005
Senate Panel Endorses CAFTA Associated Press, June 29, 2005
U.S. Blocked Release of CAFTA Reports Associated Press, June 29, 2005
Senate Panel Delays CAFTA Vote; Sugar Talks Go On Reuters, June 28, 2005
Bush Likely to Pay High Price for CAFTA Accord Financial Times, June 26, 2005
Bush Sends CAFTA to Congress Global Exchange, June 24, 2005
Jewish Humanitarian Organization Opposes CAFTA American Jewish World Service, June 23, 2005
League of Conservation Voters Oppose CAFTA June 23, 2005

There is No CAFTA Sugar Deal American Sugar Alliance, June 23, 2005
CAFTA Works Against the Culture of Life Catholics for Faithful Citizenship, June 22, 2005
Thousands of U.S. Businesses Urge Bush to Scrap CAFTA U.S. Business and Industry Council, June 21, 2005
Press Release for New Report, “Deals For Trade Votes Gone Bad” Public Citizen, June 16, 2005
Senators Moved Forward on CAFTA Associated Press, June 15, 2005
Bush Offers CAFTA Labor Add-Ons to Woo Democrats Reuters, June 9, 2005
International Planned Parenthood Federation Urges Congress to Oppose CAFTA June 9, 2005
Press Release from AFL-CIO President on Bush Administration, CAFTA, and Labor Provision June 9, 2005
Bush at OAS: Same Old “Free Trade” Tune Global Exchange, June 8, 2005
Experience Does Not Bode Well Sun Sentinel, June 6, 2005

Citrus Growers Vote to Support CAFTA Palm Beach Post, June 2, 2005
Press Release from U.S. & Latin American AIDS Advocates Blasting CAFTA’s Anti-Generic Drug Provisions June 2, 2005
An Unbalanced Trade Policy Washington Post, May 31, 2005
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Opposes CAFTA May 26, 2005
Latinos Debate Free Trade’s Cost Washington Post, May 26, 2005
US Textile Sector Opposes CAFTA May 19, 2005
Bush Urges Central American Trade Pact Associated Press, May 12, 2005
Acting USTR Faces Tough Questioning on CAFTA By Senators Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2005
Legislature Overrides Ehrlich on Free Trade Washington Post, April 12, 2005
Guatemalan Bishop Joins Voices Opposing Trade Treaty National Catholic Reporter, April 1, 2005

CAFTA’s Profit Motive Washington Post, March 30, 2005
Mill Closings Hit Hard in Central America New York Times, March 25, 2005
A Bad Deal for Free Trade Boston Globe, March 21, 2005
Guatemalan Anti-Free Trade Protester Shot Dead Reuters, March 16, 2005
Guatemala Votes to Ratify Free Trade Pact Associated Press, March 10, 2005
Guatemalan Protesters Storm Legislature to Halt Vote Associated Press, March 9, 2005
Honduras Becomes Second Latin American Country To Ratify CAFTA Associated Press, March 3, 2005
Guatemalans Protest Trade Agreement Associated Press, March 1, 2005
US, CAFTA Countries Sign Environmental Deals Reuters, February 21, 2005
Free Trade on the Ropes in Congress MarketWatch, February 15, 2005

Latino Rights Groups Argue Against CAFTA Sun Sentinel, February 15, 2005
Bush Faces Hard Battle for Free Trade Bill Times-Picayune, February 1, 2005
Democrats Protest Bush Pressure on Guatemala Reuters, January 26, 2005
Strategy to Quell CAFTA Before the Vote United Press International, January 14, 2005
CAFTA Lacks Support, Opponents Say Bloomberg, January 13, 2005
CAFTA Opponents Optimistic Can Defeat Trade Pact Reuters, January 13, 2005
CAFTA Hits Snag on Guatemala Law Bloomberg, January 7, 2005
Slaying Shines Light on Labor Battle Abroad Los Angeles Times, January 2, 2005
A Fight We Can Win The Nation, January 2005
The War on CAFTA Is Just Beginning Inter Press Service, December 29, 2004

Union Strikes Palm Sugar Plant Over Cuts in Jobs, Benefits, Overtime South Florida Sun-Sentinel, December 29, 2004
Dominican Move May Bolster CAFTA With U.S. Wall Street Journal, December 23, 2004
Slaying of U.S. Labor Organizer Opens Old Wounds in El Salvador Washington Post, December 2, 2004
CAFTA Ratified in El Salvador after Marathon Legislative Session CISPES, December 2004
Rangel upset with President Bush over D.R. Caribbean Business, October 29, 2004
New Complication for D.R.-Cafta Caribbean Business, October 25, 2004
Louisiana Sugar Growers Show Off 12,000 Anti-CAFTA Signatures Associated Press, October 18, 2004
Foreign Investor Attacks After Argentine Collapse Are Cautionary Tale for CAFTA Nations Lori Wallach, October 13, 2004
Union Demands Answers in Leader’s Shooting Death The Record, October 13, 2004
Business, Labor Prepare for Battle on CAFTA Deal Reuters, October 12, 2004

Corn Syrup Controversy in D.R. Continues Caribbean Business, October 11, 2004
Sugar-Tax Dispute Sours Free-Trade Talks Miami Herald, October 9, 2004
Dominican Tax Risks Trade Pact Washington Times, October 8, 2004
Louisiana Sugar Cane Industry Circulating Petitions Against CAFTA Associated Press, October 7, 2004
Sugar Producers Lobby Against CAFTA Williston Daily Herald, October 7, 2004
State Sugar Beet Growers Sour on Proposed Trade Pact Denver Post, October 5, 2004
Trade Deal Endangers Colorado Farmers Rocky Mountain News, October 5, 2004
U.S.-Dominican Free-Trade Plan Suspended Associated Press, September 27, 2004
Dominican President Won’t Veto Tax Associated Press, September 24, 2004
Sugar Beet Growers Launch Education Effort Agri News, September 21, 2004

Sugar Beet Area Not Sweet on Pact Washington Post, September 20, 2004
Beet Industry Takes on CAFTA Grand Forks Herald, September 17, 2004
Area Beet Farmers Say No to CAFTA The Forum, September 17, 2004
Sugar Growers Sour on Trade Pact, Bush Star Tribune, September 10, 2004
US Says Dominican Corn Syrup Tax May Undermine Trade Deal Associated Press, September 8, 2004
New Trade Pact Threatens Jobs in Florida Sugar Industry Palm Beach Post, August 29, 2004
Costa Rica: Protests Bring Country to the Verge of Paralysis Inter Press Service, August 25, 2004
Foley Says Congress Not Likely to Pass CAFTA Palm Beach Post, August 11, 2004
Look At Free Trade’s Real Impact On Florida Tampa Tribune, August 11, 2004
Pacts Could Ruin U.S. Sugar Industry, Senator Warns Palm Beach Post, August 10, 2004

Group Seeks Input on Trade Agreement Bangor Daily News, August 5, 2004
U.S. to Sign Pact with D.R. August 5 Caribbean Business, July 30, 2004
Guatemala Farm Rape Clouds Free Trade Debate Reuters, July 29, 2004
CAFTA Will Worsen Several of the Worst Parts of NAFTA San Antonio Express-News, July 20, 2004
If You Liked NAFTA’s Impact, You’re Going To Love CAFTA San Antonio Express-News, July 15, 2004
Worker Issues Foremost for Immigrants’ Advocate Houston Chronicle, July 13, 2004
Costa Rica Delays Ratification of Trade Pact Agence France Presse, July 6, 2004
Party Unites Against Pact Boston Globe, July 6, 2004
Central American Bishops Criticize Free Trade Accords Catholic News Service, June 25, 2004
CAFTA Threatens Ill Domino Effect Ag Weekly, June 5, 2004

Bush Trade Rep: No Adding Textile Protections to CAFTA Charlotte Observer, June 4, 2004
Central American trade pact, a perpetual race to the bottom Seattle Times, June 3, 2004
Central America Agreement Covers U.S., 5 Nations San Francisco Chronicle, May 28, 2004
Guatemala to Sign Trade Deal After Spat with U.S. Reuters, May 25, 2004
Rough Trade San Antonio Current, May 13, 2004
No Plans to Change CAFTA Labor Provisions — U.S. Aide Reuters, May 5, 2004
Central American Deal Ignites a Trade Debate New York Times, April 6, 2004
U.S., D.R. Delegates Hail San Juan Trade Talks Caribbean Business, February 19, 2004
Local Fishermen Distrust Costa Rican Practices Houma Courier, February 7, 2004
CAFTA: Few Benefits, Many Costs Interhemispheric Resource Center, January 29, 2004

Costa Rica Reaches Free Trade Agreement with US Agence France Presse, January 26, 2004
Low-Wage Costa Ricans Make Baseballs for Millionaires New York Times, January 24, 2004
Business, labor coalition comes together to oppose CAFTA Workday Minnesota, January 22, 2004
First it’s NAFTA, Now CAFTA Workday Minnesota, January 22, 2004
Florida Farm Groups Oppose Free Trade Pacts South Florida Sun-Sentinel, January 16, 2004
Free-trade proposal has sugar growers up in arms The Bay City Times, January 16, 2004
The Trouble With CAFTA The Nation, January 16, 2004
CAFTA Won’t Just Hurt Sugar Grand Forks Herald, January 13, 2004
Sugar deal may not be so sweet for U.S. producers Associated Press, January 8, 2004

The Threats of Not-So-Free Trade Inter Press Service, December 30, 2003
A Fair Fight Salt Lake City Tribune, December 28, 2003
CAFTA bound to be campaign issue The Morning Call, December 22, 2003
Foster and Blanco team up to protest CAFTA on sugar provision Associated Press, December 22, 2003
American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition Statement unknown, December 18, 2003
Bush Admin. Works to Wrap Up Trade Deal Associated Press, December 17, 2003
Costa Rica Balks at Approving Central American Trade Pact New York Times, December 17, 2003
Opponents criticize CAFTA agreement United Press International, December 17, 2003
U.S. works on CAFTA, without Costa Rica The South Florida Business Journal, December 17, 2003
U.S., 4 Central American Nations Reach Trade Deal Reuters, December 17, 2003

U.S., 5 Nations Work on Free Trade Pact Associated Press, December 17, 2003
CAFTA talks begin amid sniping Miami Herald, December 10, 2003
As agreement nears, CAFTA foes plot to kill pact Reuters, December 9, 2003
Central America takes spotlight with trade deal, presidential conference Sun-Sentinel, December 9, 2003
U.S. Pushing for Trade Pact Washington Post, December 9, 2003
Vargo Acknowledges CAFTA Will Face Tight Vote in Congress Bureau of National Affairs, December 9, 2003
Workers Bar Way to Free Trade in Central America Financial Times, December 4, 2003
Free trade proposals could drop prices below production levels Grand Forks Herald, December 3, 2003
New trade plan under fire Houston Chronicle, October 19, 2003
Talks here seen as vital to regional trade deal Houston Chronicle, October 19, 2003
Free Trade Trade-Offs New Orleans Times-Picayune, August 3, 2003
Western Sugar Opposes Central American trade proposal Associated Press, January 5, 2003