Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos on Tuesday called on the United States Congress to pass the free trade agreement (FTA) with his country.
“I call upon the U.S. Congress to fulfill its word, that it meets and adopts a partner in the FTA,” said Santos, who also commented that by fulfilling this agreement, the U.S. would keep a strategic ally in fighting drug trafficking and promoting democracy in the region.
“What we want is the free trade agreement already negotiated, which is entangled in the U.S. Congress. We’ve been waiting four years for the government to approve this treaty,” Colombia’s head of state said Tuesday.
“I thank all those senators and representatives who have expressed their willingness, their good intentions, but we really want these words to turn into actions,” expressed Santos.
Last week a bipartisan group of supporters of the trade agreement, including former trade representatives, sent President Obama a letter saying, “Prompt ratification will send the positive message that the United States stands by its allies and values its relationships in the Americas,” the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
Those who oppose of the FTA in Congress and the Senate cite Colombia’s human and labor rights record as a main factor for not entering into a trade agreement with the country.