Colombia

Robert Gates made his first trip to Latin America as U.S. defense secretary, beginning his five-country tour in El Salvador. The secretary's itinerary included stops in Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Suriname to focus on Washington's security ties in the region. A recent editorial co-authored by COA's Eric Farnsworth examines trade policy as a way to boost U.S.-Latin American relations.

In a Latin Business Chronicle op-ed, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper notes his country's ongoing free trade negotiations with Colombia and expresses concern over delays in U.S. approval of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

In an op-ed to the Miami Herald, Senator Richard Lugar urges Congress to support Colombia's efforts to boost security by passing free-trade legislation.

Congress has begun consideration of the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, and a decision on its approval is expected by the end of October. A new congressional update takes a look at action on the deal, possibilities for similar agreements with Panama and Colombia, and a U.S. proposal for a new hemispheric aid initiative.

The Colombian economy is strong and its capital market is reasonably well-valued, according to speakers at the AS/COA 2007 Latin American Cities Conference in Bogota. Our 11th Colombian conference convened over 900 private sector representatives and decision makers.

Colombian President Álvaro Uribe and key Western Hemisphere ministers explored issues at the forefront of the U.S.-Western Hemisphere agenda during the 37th Annual Washington Conference on the Americas. View a pictorial and summary of the conference.

In testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth calls on Congress to pass the pending bilateral trade agreement and re-authorize Plan Colombia. “The time to act is now” to support one of the strongest U.S. allies in the region.