In this study different variables proven to be correlated with labor rights to are used in a qualitative – descriptive study of the labor rights environment in the DR-CAFTA Latin American countries in order to determine if the current situation in Guatemala, subject of the first labor rights dispute under a free-trade agreement in United States history, is mirrored in each country, or is an environment unique to Guatemala. After a review of the variables this study concludes that Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua all have similarly low levels of all the correlated variables studied, but that Guatemala does in fact present as having a political and legal environment that is less conducive to labor rights.

中美洲具有關鍵地理位置，這裡有世界最大的進口量，然而，這特殊的地理位置同時具有好處和其挑戰。本論文旨在分析瓜地馬拉在特殊政治環境和經濟政策的背景之下，簽訂中美洲自由貿易協定之後，其對瓜地馬拉的影響。本論文也比較瓜地馬拉和其他中美洲國家出口至美國的情形，進一步了解出口的多樣化過程。本研究旨在評估在簽訂此區域自由貿易協定十年後所帶來的改變，並且分析中美洲自由貿易協定作為和美國市場交易途徑的保證，來保護瓜地馬拉當地的經濟安全。 / The Central American countries have a key geopolitical location; they are located in the same continent as the world’s largest importer. Having a privileged geographic position, has come with it challenges and benefits. This thesis intends to analyze the impact of the Dominican Republic –Central America Free Trade Agreement with the United States. Contemplating Guatemala’s particular political motivations and economic incentives to sign this regional Free Trade Agreement. This paper also intends to compare Guatemala’s exports performance to the United States with the rest of the Central America, to analyze the exports performance, in order to determine patters and visualize the export diversification process. This will be done to evaluate this regional Free Trade Agreement performance ten years after its signature. Followed by an analysis on the DR-CAFTA as a mechanism that promotes Guatemala’s economic security by guaranteeing the best access possible to the United States market