Colombia Free Trade Agreement

The U.S. and Colombia signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 2006 but it has stalled in Congress primarily because of Democratic concerns about violence against trade unionists and pervasive impunity.  A major push by the Bush Administration and the Colombian government in 2008 failed to move the agreement to a vote, a major victory for worker rights supporters. In June 2009, President Obama and Colombian President Uribe met for the first time in Washington to discuss among other things the pending Colombia FTA. The Obama Administration stated it was committed to moving forward with a free trade agreement with Colombia pending continued progress.  A vote is not expected before late 2010 and is considered more likely in 2011.

The Colombia FTA (Read the full text at the USTR website) is especially controversial because of the high level of violence against Colombian trade unionists. For years, more trade unionists have been murdered in Colombia each year than in the rest of the world combined. Very few criminals have been prosecuted for these murders. The Colombian trade union movement and large sectors of civil society are opposed to the FTA, as is USLEAP. USLEAP was opposed to even initiating negotiations until significant progress had been made on violence and impunity.

Other reasons to oppose the Colombia FTA are its projected negative impact on farmers, health care, and the environment. RECALCA, the Colombian Action Network in Opposition to Free Trade and the FTAA, gives a good summary of the key problems with the agreement from a Colombian perspective in this January 2007 letter to Congressman Rangel.

Visit our Trade Resources page for more information about the Colombia FTA and other free trade agreements.

Congress is not expected to take up the Colombia FTA before the fall of 2010 (and more likely in 2011) but pro-FTA lobbyists are actively pushing it now. Check out our Colombia FTA Toolkit, which is filled with resources to make it easier for you to make your voice heard! 

Take Action Here!