On November 7, 2007, Costa Rica passed a referendum ratifying its membership into the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). The agreement is structured similarly to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), in that members receive favored nation status and improved trade partnerships through the elimination of import/export tariffs.

On February 6, 2007, tens of thousands of Costa Ricans demonstrated in opposition to the ratification of DR-CAFTA. Their main point of contention is that membership with CAFTA will alter the country's social development model, by introducing market bias in favor foreign imports.Bilaterals.org: Opposition to CAFTA strong in Costa Rica