Demonstrations yesterday in Costa Rica that drew disgruntled telecom union members, high school teachers and dock workers in protest against President Oscar Arias' economic programs enjoyed little support, according to several Costa Rican media reports, and seemed to have no immediate impact other than causing a cruise ship to avoid mooring at a Costa Rican port.

The president's press office was quick to issue a statement pointing out that the 2,300 passengers aboard the Carnival Miracle cruise could have spent an expected $276,000 in the Caribbean port city of Limón if the vessel had docked there.

“That (boat's arrival) was cancelled, which represents a blow to the local (Limón) economy,” Israel Oconitrillo, spokesman for dock workers from the Japdeva union, acknowledged, according to The Associated Press (AP). “But another smaller one (a Saga Ruby cruise ship) did dock and people got off it as normal to take the usual tours,” he said.

Japdeva dock workers called a strike to protest Arias' Limón revamp plan.

Meanwhile, members of teachers' union APSE marched through central San José demanding better wages. Employees of the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) protested outside their downtown headquarters, calling for legislators to block the pending free-trade agreement with United States, or CAFTA.