February/March 2006
Costa Rica
I love Costa Rica on election day. On this day Avenida Segunda, the main street in the center of San Jos�, is filled with the constant rhythm of honking car horns and flags of all colors enthusiastically hanging out of car windows, on motorcycles, and in peoples� hands, as everyone proudly waves the flag of their political party. This past election the most common colors were the red and gold of the party of popular Presidential candidate Otton Sol�s, and the white and green of the party of the other leading Presidential hopeful, Oscar Arias. Yet, as Costa Rica has over 15 official political parties, I saw an abudance of other flags. It was exhilarating to hear, see, and feel the excitement on this day.
As I stopped to take a few photos, a few passers-by asked for my opinion on who should win the election. I didn�t give an answer. I have formed some opinions on the two main candidates based on comments I have heard from various people around the church and elsewhere, but I have not taken the time to fully inform myself on each candidates� views on all of the major issues. One of the main reasons I haven�t taken the time to do this research is because it probably won�t affect me, a United States citizen, whether Otton Solis, Oscar Arias or anyone else is elected the President of Costa Rica. On the other hand, I�ve come to realize that the same is not true for a Costa Rican in the United States on our election day.
The United States of America is a country of immense power that has much more influence in the world than many of us realize. In my travels last year and in my time here in Costa Rica, I have caught a glimpse of that enormous power, and have seen, heard, and felt the effects (both positive and negative) of United States policies or initiatives on various countries of Latin America: policies and initiatives many of us in the United States know nothing about. The policy that currently has Costa Rica up in arms is the Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).
DR-CAFTA is a free trade agreement between the United States and El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica and follows the same style as NAFTA, a free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada passed in the 1990s. DR-CAFTA has been ratified by all countries except Costa Rica, passing in El Salvador in the middle of the night by a Congress surrounded by riot police, and passing in the United States in July 2005 by just one vote. Despite the tremendous outcry and numerous demonstrations against CAFTA by popular organizations and people in Central American countries, in the United States we rarely heard anything except the pro-CAFTA argument. DR-CAFTA is a controversial agreement and it would be hard to argue that it is 100% good or 100% bad, but my time in Central America has shown me that this free trade agreement is a raw deal for most everyone except the big, multinational corporations, who stand to gain a tremendous profit. As a protest sign read, �We want less poverty, not more millionaires.� Many aspects of the DR-CAFTA agreement have people worried, but I would like to offer just one in this newsletter.
Meet Oldemar and Zoraida. They are indigenous people of the Huetar ethnicity and are active members of the Lutheran Church in their community of Quitirris�. Both Oldemar and Zoraida are promoters of indigenous rights and are passionate about preserving native cultures. Unfortunately, Oldemar estimates that 70% of their own Huetar culture has been lost, including their native language and dress. One aspect of their culture that they do still have is knowledge of natural medicines.
Using their knowledge of plants and their natural healing abilities, in combination with training on how to process and market them for sale (received from support by the Costa Rican Lutheran Church), Zoraida and other community members are able to make natural medicines, soaps, shampoos, and pomades from local plants and sell them to supplement their family income. It is a way for them to not only preserve their culture, but also to share this tradition with others who purchase these medicines. Under DR-CAFTA provisions, this vital part of their culture and their income may no longer be allowed.
One of DR-CAFTA�s most controversial areas is the chapter on intellectual property rights. This chapter allows for patents on natural substances and resources, such as plants. Therefore, the raw material of the medicinal plants, not just a formulated end product, could become the property of a large corporation who decides to patent the plant. This would take away the right of others, including the Huetar, to use the plants they have utilized and kept from extinction for centuries, and force them to purchase these plants at elevated prices. Recognizing this risk, leaders on indigenous rights in Costa Rica have incorporated provisions to protect this part of their culture in a new Indigenous Autonomy Convention they hope will be passed in the upcoming months. Even if this Indigenous Autonomy Convention passes, however, it will not be able to protect them from the threat of other natural resources being exploited, severe reduction or disappearance of quality, affordable healthcare, and a host of other potential problems they may face if DR-CAFTA passes in Costa Rica.
While DR-CAFTA was ratified in the US Congress and has taken effect in several countries already, it is an important reminder that when we vote for our political leaders each November, we are making a decision that will directly affect not only the people of our nation, but many other individuals around the world. It may be difficult to do much to stop DR-CAFTA right now, but the United States government is pushing for similar free trade agreements with many South American countries and you all have the ability to voice your dissent to your elected representatives and show your opinion on these trade agreements that hurt vulnerable populations with your vote on election day..
To learn more about DR-CAFTA, please visit my website: http://www.geocities.com/erica_christine/links.html
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