October 04, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Fewer Costa Rican adults believe a pending commerce treaty with the United States, the Dominican Republic and other Central American nations should be ratified, according to a poll by Demoscopia published in Al Día. 52.5 per cent of decided voters would endorse the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) in this Sunday’s referendum, down two points since late July.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Fewer Costa Rican adults believe a pending commerce treaty with the United States, the Dominican Republic and other Central American nations should be ratified, according to a poll by Demoscopia published in Al Día. 52.5 per cent of decided voters would endorse the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) in this Sunday’s referendum, down two points since late July.

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—must be approved by each country’s legislative branch. To date, Costa Rica remains the only country that has not ratified the CAFTA.

Óscar Arias—a member of the National Liberation Party (PLN)—won the February 2006 presidential election with 40.92 per cent of all cast ballots. He was sworn in as president for the second time in May 2006. Arias supports the CAFTA but promised to put its ratification to a nationwide vote. The plebiscite—which can only be binding if at least 40 per cent of all registered voters take part—is scheduled for Oct. 7.

Yesterday, Costa Rican foreign trade minister Marco Ruiz dismissed calls for a re-negotiation of the CAFTA, saying, "It is misleading to tell the people that this is possible. This has no political viability. (...) It would be impossible for the U.S. to agree to take telecommunications and rice out of the treaty."

Polling Data

If the referendum on the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) were held today, how would you vote?
(Decided Voters)

	Sept. 28	Jul. 28
Yes	52.5%	54.5%
No	47.5%	45.5%

Source: Demoscopia / Al Día
Methodology: Interviews to 911 decided voters in Costa Rica, conducted from Sept. 21 to Sept. 28, 2007. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.