Lawmakers approved in initial debate the seventh of 12 bills required, in some form, to implement the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA). The bill, which cracks down on intellectual property violations, must still pass a second vote to become law.

Foreign Minister Marco Vinicio Ruiz will meet with Deputy U.S. Trade Representative John Veroneau next week to seek an extension on a March 1 deadline for entering the treaty.