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The Free Trade Agreement that is about to take effect with Central America is being met both with open arms and raised fists and not much in between. The selling points of the FTA (TLC by its Spanish abbreviation) are that it will open the market of Guatemalan products to the USA, create jobs, and enable modernization of society and economy. However, many who are in opposition believe that the opposite effect will occur. They believe the already widening gap between the rich and the impoverished will become a chasm, unable to be crossed.
The Prensa Latina speaks of upcoming protests planned by multiple organizations as the treaty goes into effect on July 1st.
Guatemala Grassroots against FTA
Guatemala, Jun 29 (Prensa Latina) The appeal of unconstitutionality against the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with United States is in force in Guatemala, even though it has been formally certified by Washington. Anti-FTA Rally Shakes Lima
This was confirmed to Prensa Latina by lawyer Ramon Cardenas, one of the members of the commission that, on behalf of the over 30 social, grassroots and union organizations, prepared the allegation against the trade deal.
“I think the appeal is well prepared and there are sufficient elements to prove the FTA is violating several articles of the Constitution, so the Court has now to amend mistakes committed by the Congress when approving it,” stated the lawyer.
Cardenas regretted that pact is going to come into force July 1 without having any law to compensate its impact on the most vulnerable sectors of the society.
The absence of a Rural Development Law will square off local farmers with the powerful US economy, said Cardenas.
According to the lawyer, if judges decide to support the FTA it is still possible to present other appeals, even if it is already implemented.
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The Guatemalan Newspaper “Prensa Libre” writes,
Effects: They declare “day of mourning”
Organizations grouped in Global Mesa declared “July 1st a Day of Mourning”, by the enactment of the TLC (Free Trade Agreement)with the U.S.A. Velasquez, of the Coordinator of Cooperatives and ONG, said: “It is a day of national mourning, because it implies the reduction and cancellation of the national sovereignty”.
Ingrid Urízar, of Agrarian Platform, thought that with the TLC the breach of wealth concentration will be become serious and will increase the poverty and undernourishment. Aparicio Perez, of the CNOC, announced that they will carry out resistances next week.
So…for those of you reading this and planning on visiting Guatemala next week, be prepared that there may be protests. While these type of protests are usually peaceful, though frustrating, maintain an alertness at all times. Do not voice your dissatisfaction at how this protest is tying up procedures in your adoption. These are real issues and for many, they believe life or death issues.
