Hundreds of opponents of the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA) saw Friday’s Independence Day holiday as a prime occasion to protest the agreement.

Protestors, including students and union leaders, marched peacefully behind the Independence Day parades in San José and gathered in the Plaza de la Democracia to speak against the agreement and President Oscar Arias, who supports it.

Protestors organized various cultural activities, including a concert with local musicians, to express their fear that the agreement would threaten the country’s individuality. Many also expressed concern that CAFTA could harm Costa Rica’s environment.

Jesús Vásquez, president of the High-School Teachers’ Association (APSE), said that on the anniversary of Costa Rica’s independence from Spain, all Costa Ricans should be aware that their country is “on a very dangerous track.”

“Today, surrounded by our national culture, we wanted to sound an alarm so that people will realize the dangers that come with this agreement and the polarization we are living through in Costa Rica,” Vásquez said.

Costa Rica is the only signatory country that has not ratified the agreement, which is being considered by a Legislative Assembly commission.

Meanwhile, President Oscar Arias addressed the nation Friday. His speech not only lauded the country’s achievements but also pointed out the hard work required for Costa Rica to get ahead, according to a statement from Casa Presidencial.

Costa Rica “is still not totally free because it remains wrapped up in old beliefs of former policies that, though they were effective at the time, have stopped serving the best interests of the country,” Arias said.

Costa Rica “has not gathered the force necessary to separate from the past those traditions and values worth conserving from those that have become heavy chains for the advancement of our society.”

Creating security among citizens, investing in education and implementing fiscal reforms are steps Arias said are necessary for the country to advance.

-ACAN-EFE and Tico Times

The porteadores or contract drivers plan another demonstration for Tuesday, and transport officials are ready to crack down by ticketing and towing the vehicles.

A measure in the Asamblea Legislativa would eliminate the commercial code clause and make the work of the porteador  illegal. Taxi drivers like this idea and have staged road blockages in support of the measure.

Porteadores staged a protest Sept. 5 where they shut down or constricted major traffic routes. A similar effort is expected for Tuesday, and officials from the Policía de Tránsito and the Ministerio de Obras Pública y Transporte say they will respond with vigor.