Guatemala postpones ratification of FTA with US
Guatemala postpones ratification of FTA with US
MEXICO CITY, 03/03 - The Guatemalan Congress on Wednesday postponed for at least one week the ratification of the country`s free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, following massive protests Tuesday by thousands of demonstrators.
Jorge Mendez, president of the Congress, told a press conference they agreed to suspend the ratification after having met with trade-union leaders, public-school teachers, indigenous activists, peasants and students who participated in the protests.
Legislators have made commitment that "this week the document will not be discussed at the plenum of the Congress," Mendez said.
In the coming week, the legislators will listen to opinions of the protesters, said Mendez. But he warned it will be up to every one of the 158 legislators to accept or not the proposals of the protesters.
On Jan. 28, Guatemalan President Oscar Berger asked the parliament to immediately ratify the FTA. The Congress had planned to ratify the FTA this week, after El Salvador ratified the document last December.
On Tuesday, thousands of people rallied in Guatemala City against the approval of the FTA, arguing the agreement will result in a sale increase of foreign goods and consequently harm domestic interests.
The protesters called the government to hold a referendum and let people decide the fate of the FTA, signed by the Central American countries with the United States last year.
