COSTA RICA
Pro CAFTA groups behind criticisms of president
On May 14, president Abel Pacheco traveled to the Dominican Republic to attend the opening of the exclusive Cap Cana club, having been invited by its owners, the Hazoury family. On his return, Pacheco revealed that he had been given free membership to the club, and that the Hazourys were interested in investing in various economic sectors in Costa Rica, including tourism, railways and airports. Subsequently, revelations emerged over other "gifts" given to Pacheco by the wealthy family, sparking allegations that the government was violating its own anti-corruption measures. Both the president and trade unionists argue that the accusations are part of a smear campaign by the country's economic elite, intended to force Pacheco to send CAFTA to Congress. The government is paying the price for the anti-corruption measures it has implemented without the necessary changes in attitudes among public officials. However, the lack of a wider debate on the issue is a sure sign that the economic elite are sidelining the topic.

GUATEMALA
Massive tax evasion by sugar industry
In the municipalities of La Gomera and Masagua, local authorities could be collecting Q32 million (US$4.2 million) in property taxes if these were calculated based on the commercial costs of the land used for sugar cane production. Currently though, each municipality receives less than Q900,000 (US$118,000) in property taxes, equivalent to only 5.5% of the land's commercial value. The agriculturalists cite municipal government corruption as the main reason for refusing to pay.