Nicaraguan Social Groups Protest Against CAFTA
Social Coordinator, a grouping of more than 70 organizations, promoted demonstrations against ratification of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the US.

Deputy Alba Palacios told Prensa Latina that the National Union of Farmers and Cattle Breeders (UNAG), which includes more than 200,000 producers in Nicaragua, and small and medium-sized businesspeople and industrial producers who might disappear if CAFTA is put in force, will participate in the protests.

Palacios said rallies and other activities against CAFTA would conclude on September 8 with a huge demonstration in front of the National Assembly.

More than 20,000 people will participate in the demonstration, to protest against CAFTA ratification, she said.

She stated that the National Sandinista Liberation Front (FSLN) and allies in the National Convergence are demanding approval of an important group of laws in view of the possible ratifications of CAFTA, including those related to trade, micro-finance, competition, anti-monopoly, foreign trade and guarantees for small and middle enterprises.

Also included are laws relating to water, environmental crimes, biosecurity for genetically modified organisms, biodiversity, food security, increase in production.

There are more than 3 million people living in various levels of poverty in Nicaragua who will become the first victims of CAFTA, while the government caves in before Washington's demands, and requests the Congress to put CAFTA in force, she said.

Palacios added the government tries to ignore the fact that more than 70 percent of Nicaraguan citizens live in misery, and Nicaragua is the poorest country in Central America and the second poorest in Latin America, after Haiti.

The government is seeking support from deputies from the Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC) and the Camino Cristiano (Christian Way) to get the necessary votes to approve CAFTA.