"No way! - we don't want to be a US colony"
Jueves 10 de Marzo 2005 http://chiapas.mediosindependientes.org/With the chanting of the slogan "No way! - we don't want to be a US colony", the protests against the ratification by the Guatemalan congress of the US/Central America+Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement continued today.
This was despite police repression, which included beating and the use of tear gas and water cannon for the second day running.
Arrest Warrants have been issued for the leaders of the protest movement. Matias Perez, leader of the URNG was arrested and injuries have been reported.
Despite mobilizations of social and popular sectors linked to the MICSP (Indigeneous, Farmers, Union and Popular Movement) in the rejection of the entry to Guatemala of a trade agreement obviously unfavourable for this country, today 10th of March at about 3pm the congress approved the FTA as a matter of "national urgency".
The constant pressure on the congress from the US embassy was noted on various occasions by members opposed to the aggreement, but in the end this pressure prevailed over popular interests. In return, members of congress promised a package of palliative measures for the effects of the agreement.
Various social organisations from Costa Rica sent a communique of solidarity with the Guatemalan people in the face of the repression that they have been suffering.
Protests are expected to continue tomorrow.
tlc 2005 | tlc | www.agp.org