Mi corazón dice “NO” Al TLC!!! That is a sentence I will always connect with my time in Costa Rica. It is hard not to see it, because in San José it is everywhere.

The Tratado de Libre Comercio, abbreviated TLC: a free trade agreement between the small Central American states and their (Step)brother from the north. No matter where you stand, walk or drive, there are people with buttons, cars with stickers or flags and banners hanging in front of the houses, which are either in favor of or against the TLC.

The country, which abolished its army about 60 years ago, to invest the money saved in education, is divided. Especially this country, well known for its neutrality (and the relatively high prosperity) which is also called Latinamerican Switzerland, would start a rebellion, nobody would have thought. A nation, that doesn't want to have conflicts with anybody… a country, which was not in the focus of the conquistadores because of its lack of resources and insignificant strategic situation - even if Kolumbus thought to have landed on a “rich coast” - the country with the (second)ugliest capital of Central America (after Managua), surrounded by the most beautiful nature… a place in which nevertheless everything is “Pura Vida”…

However in contrary to the other Central American countries - where the governments simply decided to agree on the TLC - Costa Rica's population has the unique chance to do something against the TLC. No, here the people fought for their right to be involved in that crucial decision. They started campaigns and took the protest on the streets.

The referendum has almost arrived and nobody can foresee what people will vote…they expect a close run. But if the TLC should be approved, or should the majority of the population vote for a “Si al TLC”, then - and many inhabitants of Costa Rica are sure of that - it would be a fraude!!!

It is difficult to estimate the consequences, which such an agreement would have for Costa Rica, but after all you can look at other countries situations, which are members of the an free trade agreement. For Mexico - which was the first Central American country to have a free trade agreement with the USA - an its agriculture the consequences were devastating. Genetically modified corn, which now could be imported without any problems from the USA, was offered at prices, which were so far below the actual production costs of the corn the Mexican farmers could offer. After the local farmers were ruined, the US industry increased the prices again. But hey… that's what you call free-market economy…

TLC opponents are of EVERY age...


of every sexual attitude...

and sometimes they can't even talk...


No Al TLC Goes PahRtey... - Watch a funny movie here

But they know how to party and exclaim "No al TLC!" loudly...even a few times in a row...


Today's (sunday 30.09.2007) demonstrations were a huge succes due to the 150.000 TLC-opponents. I am curious how they will vote next sunday...

For more pictures click here:

*raughly translated: "My heart says "Yes" (towards the TLC), yes...asshole!"