Why did some peasant, labor, and Indigenous groups oppose CAFTA-DR?

The Central America–Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) was a polarizing initiative that divided the region into two distinct camps. While governments and business sectors supported the pact for its potential to attract foreign investment and foster economic growth, peasant, labor, and Indigenous groups staunchly opposed it.1

Opposition from these groups was rooted in concerns regarding the socioeconomic impacts of trade liberalization. Critics feared that the agreement would exacerbate existing inequality and threaten the livelihoods of those in the agricultural sector, where poverty remains particularly high. By immediately eliminating duties on a significant portion of U.S. agricultural exports, the agreement created fears that local farmers would be unable to compete with subsidized foreign goods. Furthermore, these groups were wary of the broader shift toward export-oriented economies, which often rely on maquiladoras and informal labor sectors that frequently lack adequate social protections and stable employment. Ultimately, these organizations viewed the agreement as a threat to their economic security and the traditional ways of life for rural and Indigenous communities.12