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CAFTA

Eleven days till Free Trade and doubts linger on
20-Jun-2006
Only eleven days before the scheduled date for entering the DR-CAFTA trade accord, officials doubt that the stipulated time slot will be met, because, according to them, the Dominican Republic is in no condition to render to new U.S. exigencies by July 1st.
Small farmers wary of CAFTA
20-Jun-2006
Whether the nation is ready or not, the 800-page DR-CAFTA treaty, replete with new rules and regulations, is set to become reality for the country.
Guatemalan bishop: Free trade widens gap between rich, poor
14-Jun-2006 Catholic Online
Free trade under the current economic rules can only widen the gap between rich and poor in the Americas, said the head of the Guatemalan bishops’ conference.
By 80%, Dominican firms cannot compete in Free Trade
13-Jun-2006 Dominican Today
Approximately 80% of the 4,000 firms that operate in the country are not prepared to compete in the framework of the Free Trade Agreement with Central America and Central America (DR-CAFTA).
Entrepreneurs request: "no further Free Trade delays"
8-Jun-2006
The Dominican Chamber of Commerce and Production yesterday requested of the government to avoid postponing implementation of the Free Trade Agreement with Central America and the United States.
Government to have an extra RD$2.35B income if Free Trade is delayed
7-Jun-2006
The possible postponement of the Free Trade Agreement with the United States and Central America (DR-CAFTA) would secure for the central government additional income of, at least, RD$2,350 million during the second half of this year.
Guatemala: Fears and hopes raised by free trade with US
22-May-2006 IPS
With just a few days to go before the removal of trade barriers between Guatemala and the United States, social organisations are afraid that living standards in Guatemala will decline, while the government and the business community predict an influx of investment, economic growth, and the creation of thousands of new jobs.
DR: New US exigencies for integration onto Free Trade
12-May-2006 Dominican Today
The United States reportedly threatened to leave the Dominican Republic out of the Free Trade Agreement with Central America and the U.S. (DR-CAFTA), if local authorities do not accept other requirements aside from the original negotiation.
Guatemala anti-FTA vigil grows
12-May-2006 Prensa Latina
More popular organizations have joined the on-going vigil in front of the Guatemalan Constitutional Court, where a bill against the free trade agreement with the US is being discussed Thursday.
Guatemalan orgs: No US FTA
11-May-2006 Prensa Latina
The COS (Social Organizations Group) and the MISPEC (Guatemalan indigenous, farmer and popular movement) have joined the vigil Wednesday in front of the Guatemalan Constitutional Court to reject the free trade agreement with the United States.
DR-CAFTA expected to compel curricula revisions in universities
9-May-2006
Education minister suggested this Tuesday that universities in the country should be subject of a revision of their respective curricula in light of the upcoming Free Trade Agreement with the Central America and the United States.
FTA keeps Guatemala minister in dock
6-May-2006
The Guatemalan Congress began its second day of questioning Economy Minister Marcio Cuevas Thursday, on the basis and effects of the free trade agreement with the United States.
Electricity crisis and high cost obstacle to TLC
6-May-2006
The ongoing electrical crisis and its high cost will adversely affect the production of groups looking forward to participate with their businesses in the United States, Dominican Republic and central America Free Trade agreement (CAFTA-DR), said Miguel Cocco, Custom’s Director General.
Guatemala: Between the sword and impotence
27-Apr-2006 Granma
As during the crudest times of interventionism in banana republics, James Derham, US proconsul in Guatemala, snuck into a session of Congress on April 18 to pressure legislators to approve — now! — a complimentary law being demanded by the United States so that the country definitely enters into a Free Trade Agreement.
US-FTA blocks medicine for many
24-Apr-2006
The Guatemalan pharmaceutical industry is the strongest company in Central America and among the first 10 in Latin America, but it is today threatened by the free trade agreement (FTA) with United States.
US pushing FTA on Guatemala
20-Apr-2006 Prensa Latina
US ambassador in Guatemala James Derham appeared in Congress Wednesday to pressure for approval of complementary laws to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
US-Guatemala FTA unconstitutional
6-Apr-2006 Prensa Latina
The free trade treaty between US and Guatemala is unconstitutional and violates everything from the principle of equality of enterprises to working rights, declared Guatemalan attorney Ramon Cadenas Wednesday.
FTA to leave Hondurans jobless
4-Apr-2006 Prensa Latina
Honduran humanitarian bodies predicted Monday that the implementation of the US-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) will increase unemployment in agriculture and in small and medium companies.
Honduras and Nicaragua enter trade pact with US
2-Apr-2006 Reuters
A controversial trade pact between the United States and Central American nations took effect in Honduras and Nicaragua on Saturday as supporters said it would help bring prosperity to the poor region.
Hundreds of Hondurans protest against CAFTA en Honduras
1-Apr-2006 AP
Hundreds of doctors, Indians, teachers, students and workers marched through the streets of the Honduran capital in protest Friday, a day before the government is scheduled to ratify a contentious free-trade agreement with the United States.