Venezuela Accused of TLC Meddling in Costa Rica
Cuba and Venezuela are alleged to be funding of groups rejecting the Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) - free trade agreement with the United States - that is heating the political climate in Costa Rica.

Two of the public sector major trade union leaders were challenged both by the business sector and the US-Costa Rica Trade Chamber to make their personal accounts available for examination in order to determine whether they are receiving foreign money or not.

The letter was signed by the head of the Asociación Nacional de Empleados Públicos y Privados (ANEP),  Albino Vargas, and the leader of the trade union, the Asociación Sindical de Empleados del Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad(Asdeice), Fabio Chávez.

Their proposal was endorsed by the chair of Transparency International, Costa Rica, Roxana Salazar, who warned that the Trinubal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE) - Supreme Electoral Tribunal - has failed to keep foreign funds from financing campaigns ahead of a referendum to be held next September 23.

Over the last few days, the advocates of the TLC have launched a media campaign suggesting that the governments of Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez are providing funds for a campaign against the free trade agreement.

Costa Rican trade unions, social groups, universities, professional associations and President Oscar Arias' government are advocating the trade accord.