April 07, 2003

Abstract: (CPOD) Apr. 7, 2003 - Many citizens of Central America—an area of the world that endured civil war and violence for most of the 1980s—are against the current military campaign in Iraq, according to a poll by Demoscopia published in Siglo XXI. More than 80 per cent of respondents in Guatemala and Nicaragua are against the war, as well as 60.7 per cent of Costa Ricans.

(CPOD) Apr. 7, 2003 - Many citizens of Central America—an area of the world that endured civil war and violence for most of the 1980s—are against the current military campaign in Iraq, according to a poll by Demoscopia published in Siglo XXI. More than 80 per cent of respondents in Guatemala and Nicaragua are against the war, as well as 60.7 per cent of Costa Ricans.

More than half of all respondents believe oil is the main reason for the conflict, while 20.6 say toppling Saddam Hussein is the main objective of the coalition.

Guatemalan president Alfonso Portillo recently stated that he understood the position of the United States in the conflict, but said his country cannot support any war.

Polling Data

Are you opposed to the military campaign in Iraq?

Country	Yes
Nicaragua	82.2%
Guatemala	81.2%
Costa Rica	60.7%

What is the true motivation of the conflict?
(All Responses)

Access to Iraqi oil	54%
Free Iraq from Hussein	20.6%
Combat world terrorism	10.8%

Source: Demoscopia / Siglo XXI
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 400 adults in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, conducted on Apr. 3 and Apr. 4, 2003. Margin of error is 5 per cent.