Most Costa Ricans Would Ratify TLC; Poll Shows
Many adults in Costa Rica believe the Tratado Libre de Comercio (TLC) - free trade agreement with the United States known as CAFTA -  should be implemented, according to a poll by CID-Gallup; 63% of respondents who are familiar with TLC support its ratification.

In May 2004, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua agreed to the trade deal with the United States. 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 CAFTA. Former Costa Rican president Abel Pacheco postponed debate on the trade deal, hoping that the Legislative Assembly would approve a series of bills related to the country’s fiscal system.

Óscar Arias - a member of the National Liberation Party (PLN)—won the February 2006 presidential election with 40.92% of all cast ballots. Arias headed the government from 1986 to 1990, and was able to run again after the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly opted to bring back presidential re-election in 2003. He was sworn in for the second time in May 2006.

On Feb. 7, Arias defended the TLC, saying, "I don’t think it’s the solution [to underdevelopment in the region], but I believe it’s an opportunity. It’s a step that has to be taken, but we won’t automatically become rich the day the agreement with the United States enters into force."

Polling Data
Are you familiar with the Tratado Libre de Comercio (TLC)?

Yes   72%
No     28%

To those who are familiar - Do you support or oppose the ratification of the ratado Libre de Comercio (TLC)?

Support    63%

Oppose    37%

Source: CID-Gallup
Methodology: Interviews with 1,213 Costa Rican adults, conducted from Jan. 20 to Jan. 28, 2007. Margin of error is 2.8%.