New Canada-Honduras Free Trade Agreement

Harper ends his tour of Latin America with a bang as protests erupt in San Pedro Sula.

Apparently Canadians are not the only people who like to protest Prime Minister Stephen Harper's policy decisions – after Harper announced a new free trade agreement between Canada and Honduras on Friday, protests erupted in San Pedro Sula, one of the most violent cities in Latin America. Opponents outside the signing ceremony argued that the deal would allow Canadian businesses to further exploit the rights of local workers, particularly in the textile and mining industries. Harper denied the allegations and insisted that international trade is the key to prosperity, and thereby enhances "freedom, peace and democracy." He also called his opponents selfish trade protectionists. Parliament and Honduran politicians have yet to ratify the agreement, which includes provisions about labour and environmental standards.

Image courtesy of Reuters.