The importance of the Colombia FTA

For some time now, media outlets in Latin America and the US have been closely monitoring the negotiations for an Andean Free Trade agreement involving Colombia , Peru and the United States . Lima ‘s agreement was signed on April 12, 2006 and the Peruvian Congress ratified it on June 28 2006. Bogota signed the FTA on November 22, 2006 . The US Congress still needs to ratify both of them.

Over the course of many years, the United States has been trying to get the cooperation of Colombia and Peru to combat narcotics trafficking and the trade agreements were promised as a sign of recognition for their success on this front. No one can deny Uribe’s success since he has enacted tough policies to confront not only drug-trafficking but also the terrorist group inside Colombia , known as the FARC which is greatly responsible for the narcotic trafficking problem in South America . Since July, 2006, after Alan Garcia was elected in Peru , defeating Hugo Chavez’s puppet, Ollanta Humala, the country quickly aligned itself with the United States and has also made progress in their fight against drugs.

NEWS:

• Columbian counter-narcotics efforts to serve as model for Afghanistan.
• Chavez and energy shortages major threats to Latin America.
• Ecuador Defense Minister killed in crash.  Ecuador to investiage fatal crash.
• Opposition to Chavez protests in Venezuela.  Venezuela likely to return to Andean Community of Nations.  Venezuela and Brazil cooperate to build ships.  Chavez’s policies create inflation in Venezuela.  Venezuela’s arms purchases top China, Iran, Pakistan.  Russia, Venezuela sign natural gas agreement.  Venezuelan army to buld road in Nicaragua.  Venezuela, Cuba sign new economics accords.
• Bolivia’s Morales replaces 16 cabinet members.  Morales has a former terrorist as a principal advisor.  Bolivia: ETA ties.  Morales backs off on key referendum.  Morales submits tax "reforms" to Congress.
• Panamanian ex-dictator to be released soon.
• Mexico’s Calderon proposes cap on government salaries.  Mexico praised over extradition.
• UN court abstains on Argentina-Uruguay dispute.  Argentina, Brazil file WTO complaint against U.S. corn subsidies.
• Cuban militany enters plea in Texas.
• Guatemala voters undecided.
• El Salvador remittances rose 17% in 2006.

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