Offices of Anti-CAFTA Union Raided at Gunpoint in Costa Rica

(Editor’s Note: We apologize for not bringing this story sooner, but poor press coverage brought it to our attention only yesterday.)

Unions in Costa Rica have called for a one-day general strike on June 7 to protest government plans to ratify CAFTA. The announcement comes two weeks after five trade union representatives from the Rerum Novarum Workers Confederation (CTRN in Spanish) were held at gunpoint in their offices by masked men who snatched two computers and ransacked the place. During the siege, assailants shoved a gun into the mouth of the CTRN Education Secretary.

In addition, Albino Vargas, General Secretary of the National Association of Public and Private Employees (ANEP), received multiple death threats related to his opposition to the Òtrade pact.Ó ANEP made the General Strike call, as part of the Costa Rican Union Movement.

Click here to act in solidarity with Costa Rican workers opposing CAFTA.