Salvadorans to Protest CAFTA-DR

San Salvador, Feb 27 (Prensa Latina) Salvadoran social organizations announced increasing protests against the Free Trade Area for Central America with the US and Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR).

President Antonio Saca and US counterpart, George W. Bush, officially announced Friday that it would go into effect on March 1, but the protesters claim the different domestic sectors were not consulted about the agreement.

Among other problems, the CAFTA-DR will widen the gap between El Salvador and the US, ruin the national economy, escalate unemployment, underemployment and emigration, and set salaries below the minimum.

Economics experts also view severe consequences for Central American finances in the CAFTA-DR, since US products will flood the local markets preventing fair competition.

Despite the arguments, the government accuses the protesting groups of particular interests, even common crimes, although the groups represent the majority of the people.

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