Vice-president forced to step down

These weeks Costa Rica is under de spell of the first referendum ever held in the country. At the 7th of October the Costa Ricans will vote in favour or against  ratification of a Free Trade Agreement signed between the United States and the Central American countries.

Costa Rica is the only country that still doesn’t have ratified this treaty. The population is totally split up. The ‘Yes’-camp alleges that the treaty will give a big opportunity for a quick development of Costa Rica. In change, the movement for ‘No’ fears that Costa Rica is ‘on sale’ after putting in operation this agreement and that rough capitalism will unsettle society.

Passionate debates are held. ‘Yes’ has the advantage of their nearly total control of the media. They also count with large contributions made by the big enterprises. ‘No’ leans on its inventiveness. They organize discussions in communities as to bring their message directly to the voters and make use of the Internet in an intelligent way.

Sometimes dubious means are used.  ‘Yes’ simply stole the symbol of ‘No’: a heart with the Costa Rica banner draped over it. A memorandum to the president worked out by vice-president Kevin Casas leaked out, caused turmoil, and led finally to his resignation. Out of inquietude about the sticky campaign of ‘Yes’ he proposed to start a ‘fear-campaign’ among the citizens as to convince the people. with this he gave a disturbing glance behind the curtains of Costa Rican politics.

Till the 7th of October travellers can witness the campaign about one of the most important and controversial decisions that are made in the last years. Everywhere are banners, cars with stickers and meetings. Television stations pay attention daily to this theme.

And after the 7th of October this country will be changed. If the ‘Yes’-camp wins, resistance against it will probably continue, but on the streets. And an eventual victory of the ‘No’ will mark the beginning of end of a political elite that reigned for decades and usher in a new political era in Costa Rica.