Colombia-US FTA, an illusion without End

 On the Revolution of Ideas!

For the past few years the approval of the free trade agreement between Colombia and the United States has been sought by Colombia, but the U.S. has been delaying the process under pretexts that have no justification, at least strong ones, there are none. The Us Government has said that the environment or atmosphere is just not right to get the treaty ratified by congress, but on the other hand they have approved other treaties like Korea, but the FTA with Colombia is still being kept in the drawer with no real and concrete reason. What is the underlying reason? .A democratic Party-leaning to the radical left? Or factions of the party with an interest in promoting interests contrary to those of its supposed ally in the region? Or the idea that we are the number one ally in the region is just a speech? Whatever the answer is, it is time to give specific and concrete solutions. The answer shouldn’t be so complicated to give, this way we can resolve the FTA issue between Colombia and EE.UU. 

I think it is time to get down to business and establish what the horizon for the FTA will be so that the matter can be resolved ASAP. This is essential, so that Colombia’s Diplomatic service can avoid asking for something on Capitol Hill that will never happen. Colombia’s economy is growing and no longer is the poor country of the 70’s or 80’s that Europe and the US took for granted, and therefore is time to start looking with different eyes to the south of the region because the FTA benefits both countries and not just Colombia. As an emerging economy, potential South American Power, and an ally; Colombia should be treated differently and not with the disregard it has been subjected to for past 4 years. Colombia has succeeded in opening markets in Asia, and as of now is pushing for FTA’S with partners within its own region, so is very important get the FTA between the US and Colombia ratified because maybe when Congress decides to get it done it will serve no purpose for Colombia and the treaty will hit the freezer indefinitely .President Obama has said that the treaty should be re-negotiated, and this option is unacceptable.

It is clear that for a while the U.S policies towards Colombia have been changing and not necessarily for the better, rather it has shown an attitude of abandonment of his supposed ally in the region with measures that are just too close for comfort. Since President Uribe, and since Democrats took over congress during the Bush administration, the U.S. has put Colombia in the final list of priorities. This is clear today with the announcement that Obama will tour Latin America without visiting Colombia. Ironically, in the State of the Union speech Obama spoke about Colombia, but not necessarily to say that he would promote the approval of the FTA between Colombia and the USA, instead he mentioned that he would seek its approval once it is renegotiated, or at least revised, which in practice is the same. What startles the most is that on his tour through Latin America he will not visit Colombia, which is America’s most important ally in South America. This is a sign of total ignorance of Colombia, and the unwillingness to promote the approval of the FTA. Colombia pays a high price for drug consumption in the U.S., and the government and legislative body of the US responds by assuming policies of neglect and talk, talk against an ally that has done a lot to deserve the final approval of an FTA that today is more an illusion than a reality.

Is Time to stop stalling and approve the FTA, and if the agreement does not provide guarantees for the U.S., then simply say no!. This would allow Colombia to stop paying expensive lobbyists who in most cases have a done a poor job in getting the FTA approved, and moreover have done more so it will never get passed and ratified. Many enemies like terrorists, the radical leftist groups, ex- Colombian senators who aid FARC in their effort to destroy Colombia, and many who still believe in socialism have benefited from the long wait on the FTA on Capitol Hill.

 Finally, the time to get the FTA approved is now, but no more games or manipulation of time. I consider it appropriate to suggest to those who advise President Obama that on his Latin America tour it would be good to include Colombia and failure to do so sends an ominous message to the world on how America deals with its allies. Not going to Colombia is as if Obama was touring the Middle East and did not to go to Israel. If Obama doesn’t come to Colombia, then, what game are we playing? Are we? Or are we not the number one ally in the region?  Obama has never been to Latin America, and when he visits he overlooks his ally! That is as absurd as the manipulation and entanglement to approve the FTA which became an endless illusion. Less talk and more action.

Cristhian Mnacera Mejia

Director

La Tribunacolus