Colombia Deserves the Ratification of the Free Trade Agreement

It is very difficult to understand how it is possible that the U.S. Congress and its Democratic majority have maintained a strong resistance against ratifying the Free Trade Agreement with Colombia. And it is difficult to understand this position from the fundamental point of view that Colombia, as a country and as a government, is an ally of the American government and people. The pretext that there are human rights violations in Colombia and that there is not enough protection for the lives of the trade unionists cannot stand an analysis in view of what has been happening in that country for the last several years with a President who observes an exemplary democratic conduct.

The influential newspaper, The Washington Post, has published this Wednesday another editorial on behalf of the ratification of that Treaty, which possibly will achieve the result desired not only by that newspaper but also by all those who realize the importance of Colombia with respect to the United States of America. That importance increases insofar as one takes into consideration the scarcity of inter-American solidarity with respect to the United States. It bears repetition that Colombia, as a government and as a nation, is very important for the United Sates of America. That refusal of the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives is aimed possibly at pleasing certain sectors in the United States, sectors that do not represent the will of the people. However, this is in no way favorable for good U.S. inter-American relation, not only with Colombia.

A similar treaty was ratified last January with Peru, without there being any situation, comparing both, to justify in any way the objections to ratify the one with Colombia. The argument of the Peruvian agreement is constantly used in Washington and, nevertheless, the House of Representatives, and its President, Nancy Pelosi, insist on not ratifying the treaty although, as is the norm in a democracy, not all the members of Congress back this position.

It is to be expected that before the end of the Bush Administration the mentioned agreement be ratified with Colombia.