Author: Umberto Mazzei

WTO: Staying the Course in the Face of Mistakes

The government of the United States chose 20 countries (G20) to discuss common policies in the face of the financial crisis in Washington—a crisis that grew out of the incestuous relationship between

Costa Rica and the Myths of CAFTA

In electoral matters governments are meant to be neutral and discreet; the diplomats keep quiet. However, the government of President Oscar Arias and the United States Embassy are brazenly intervening in the

Guatemala’s Kafta-esque Year

CAFTA went into effect a year ago in Guatemala and a number of regrettable things have happened since. To mention a few examples: 195 million Guatemalan Quetzals (equivalent to US$25 million) have

Guatemala and Costa Rica: In and Out of CAFTA

"Foreign exchange for traditional exports is increasing" announced the Periódico de Guatemala on April 25. It reported that the Bank of Guatemala announced an increase of 11.8% in traditional exports—sugar, coffee, bananas,

Guatemala: Two Months of CAFTA

In 2006, Guatemala finds itself in a critical situation that continues to worsen. Over half the population (56%) is poor, and 21% live in extreme poverty. Sixty-three percent of the GDP is