Colombia Free Trade Agreement
We should not be entering a trade deal with a country that has allowed over 2,300 unionists to be murdered since 1986, including more than 500 killings during the administration of President Alvaro Uribe.
And the assassinations have not stopped.
The National Labor School (ENS), based in Medellín, Colombia, has reported that 47 trade unionists were murdered in 2009 alone. This is roughly equivalent to the number of unionists murdered in 2008 - 50 - and is a 25% increase over 2007, when 39 trade unionists were murdered. While the levels of anti-union violence are lower than they were in the worst years, when 200 were assassinated in a single year, the levels are nonetheless high and completely unacceptable.
Page Contents:
Opinion
Colombia doesn't deserve anit-worker trade pact
James P. Hoffa, September 9, 2009
Colombia free-trade agreement: making a bad situation worse
The Varsity, July 6 2009
Colombia: the High Cost of Free Trade
James McEnteer, October 15, 2008
The Pain and Power of Memory
Dissident Voice, September 12, 2008
Columbia - A Case Study in Failed U.S. Intervention
Huffington Post, August 30, 2008
Overhaul policies to benefit workers; reject Colombia deal
Des Moines Register, July 18, 2008
Pact is Perfect - For US Corporations
Boston Globe, July 16, 2008
Alvaro Uribe has more work to do
Globe and Mail (Canada), July 14, 2008
Celebrate Betancourt's Release, Not Colombia's Oppresive Regime
Alternet, July 10, 2008
McCain Stays the Course in Latin America
The Progressive, July 9, 2008
Free Trade's False Promises
The Guardian, July 8, 2008
Colombia deal is a bad one
New Hampshire Business Review, June 6, 2008
Columbia free trade bad for America
WestLinn Tidings, May 1, 2008
Workers' Rights: a Good Reason to Oppose Colombia Trade Deal
The Hill, April 26, 2008
Colombia: No Rights, No Trade
Washington Post, April 14, 2008
Colombia Trade Fight is a Human Rights Test
The Nation, April 11, 2008
Comment: Congress is right to oppose trade deal with Colombia
Reuters, April 9, 2008
Colombia Free Trade Agreement: A Bad Deal for Everyone Involved
Huffington Post, April 8, 2008
Reports
New| Truth Behind Bars: Colombian Paramilitary Leaders in U.S. Custody February 2010
Systematic Violence Requires Strategic Justice: Ongoing Impunity in Assasinations of Trade Unionists in Colombia USLEAP 2008 Annual Impunity Report
Ten Years of "Plan Colombia": Bogota leases military real estate to the Obama Administration Council on Hemispheric Affairs, August 5, 2009
Parlimentary Declaration
EU, October 23, 2008
Free Trade with Colombia: McCain’s Misguided Campaign
Council on Hemispheric Affairs, June 27, 2008
AFRO-COLOMBIANS: AUTONOMOUS RIGHTS UNDERMINED: Systematic Repression and the U.S.– Colombia Free Trade Agreement TransAfrica Forum, May 1, 2008
So Far to Go: Human Rights in Colombia
Latin America Working Group Education Fund, April 2008
Workers' Rights, Violence and Impunity in Colombia
AFL-CIO, January 9, 2008
Trade Deficit in Food Safety
Global Trade Watch, July 2007
Colombia: Killings, arbitrary detentions, and death threats -- the reality of trade unionism in Colombia
Amnesty International, July 3, 2007
Talking Points
Colombia Fact Sheet: Murder and Impunity of Colombian Trade Unionists Under Uribe USLEAP, December 2009
Opposing the FTA with Colombia: Talking Points on Violence Against Trade Unionists and Impunity USLEAP, November 2009
General Background on the Colombia FTA
Citizens Trade Campaign, April 2008
Colombia FTA: Background on Investor Rights
Citizens Trade Campaign, April 2008
The Colombia FTA: Background on Agriculture
Citizens Trade Campaign, April 2008
The Colombia FTA: Background on Illegal Drug Production
Citizens Trade Campaign, April 2008
The Colombia FTA: Impact on Food and Food Safety
Citizens Trade Campaign, April 2008
The Colombia FTA: Environmental Concerns
Citizens Trade Campaign, April 2008
Violence Against Colombia Trade Unionists and Impunity: How Much Progress Has There Been Under Uribe? USLEAP, April 2008
Fact Sheet: Murders of Trade Unionists and Impunity Under Uribe
USLEAP, April 2008
Talking Points: Colombia's Horrific Labor Abuses Are Among a Long List of Reasons to Oppose the Colombia FTA
Public Citizen, June 5, 2008
Why We Oppose the Colombia FTA
AFL-CIO
Colombia Continues to be a Deadly Country in which to be a Trade Unionist AFL-CIO
Colombian Unionists In All Sectors Oppose the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement AFL-CIO
Workers' Rights in Colombia
AFL-CIO
IBEW Legislative Fact Sheet on Trade
August 2007
U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Witness for Peace Fact Sheet
FLOWERS: Labor Rights Violations, Pesticide Poisoning, and Poverty Wages Witness for Peace Fact Sheet
Colombia: Violence Against Workers
Witness for Peace Fact Sheet
Colombia: Forced Eradication and Fumigation of Coca Crops
Witness for Peace Fact Sheet
U.S. Multinationals in Colombia: Profits and Plundering
Witness for Peace Fact Sheet
Congressional Press Releases
Miller to Uribe: Colombia Must Improve Investigations and Prosecutions of Labor Killings
Education & Labor Committee, Congressman George Miller, Chairman, September 15, 2008
Hare opposes yoking trade assistance, Colombia
Press release submitted by Rep. Phil Hare, Quad-Cities Online, July 22, 2008
Brown, Senators Call on Bush Administration to Address Ongoing Violence in Colombia
Office of Senator Sherrod Brown, July 1, 2008
Michaud Joins U.S. and Colombian Labor Leaders to Speak Out Against Colombian FTA Office of Congressman Mike Michaud, May 14, 2008
Economic Relief Must Come First
Congresswoman Betty McCollum, April 15, 2008
Colombia FTA Statements
Office of Congressman Mike Michaud, April 10, 2008
Statement on Suspension of Fast Track Procedures for Consideration of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Office of Congressman Tom Allen, April 10, 2008
Standing Up for Workers, Patrick Murphy Opposes Colombia Trade Deal
Office of Congressman Patrick Murphy, April 10, 2008
Solis Statement on Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Office Congresswoman Hilda Solis, April 10, 2008
McCollum: Economic Relief for Americans Must Come before President’s Colombia Trade Deal
Office of Congresswoman Betty McCollum, April 10, 2008
Kaptur Introduces Bill Opposing Colombia Trade Deal
Office of U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur, April 8, 2008
Blumenauer Issues Statement on U.S.-Colombia FTA
Office of U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer, April 7, 2008
Dorgan: Bush’s Trade Policies Have Failed; Colombia Free Trade Agreement Is More of the Same
Office of Senator Byron Dorgan, April 7, 2008
Statement on the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Office of Congressman Tom Allen, April 7, 2008
Senator Sherrod Brown Calls Proposed Colombian FTA Betrayal Of Middle Class Office of Senator Sherrod Brown, April 7, 2008
Snowe Voices Opposition to U.S.-Columbia Free Trade Agreement
Office of U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, April 7, 2008
Sutton Statement on U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Office of U.S. Representative Betty Sutton, April 7, 2008
Letters, Statements & Releases
Colombia FTA and Trade Union Violence
US LEAP, December 21, 2009
USTR Receives Public Comments Concerning the Pending Colombia and Korea Free Trade Agreements
AFL-CIO Comments to USTR on the Colombia FTA
TransAfrica Forum comments to USTR on Colombia FTA
CTC Comments to USTR on the Colombia FTA
Teamsters Alert Against Colombia FTA, September 15, 2008
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney On Increase of Violence Against Colombian Trade Unionists, September 10, 2008
Hoffa Blasts McCain Trip to Colombia, Refusal to Address Human Rights Issues Teamsters Press Release, July 2, 2008
Letter to President Bush Concerning Violence in Colombia and the FTA Sens. Sherrod Brown, Byron Dorgan, Robert C. Byrd, Debbie Stabenow, Bob Casey, and Sheldon Whitehouse, July 1, 2008
Colombia: McCain's Visit Should Focus on Democracy and Rights
Human Rights Watch, June 30, 2008
Letter to Senator John McCain
Human Rights Watch, June 27, 2008
Extradited Paramilitary Leaders and the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Human Rights Watch, May 20, 2008
[Letter to House] [Letter to Senate]
U.S. and Colombian Church Leaders Call on Congress to Substantially Reduce Military Aid, to Strengthen Human Rights Protections and to Vote No on the U.S.-Colombia FTA May 20, 2008
Oppose the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Amazon Watch, Earthjustice, Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace USA, Sierra Club, Rainforest Action Network, May 15, 2008 [Letter to House] [Letter to Senate]
Letter to the House of Representatives on the Colombia Free Trade Agreement Teamsters, April 29, 2008
CTC Supports Reasserting Congressional Authority Over Trade Citizens Trade Campaign, April 11, 2008
NFU Statement: Colombia FTA is Wrong Move at Wrong Time
National Farmers Union, April 8, 2008
Domestic Manufacturers Say Colombia Deal Will Worsen Recession
United States Business and Industry Council, April 8, 2008
US: Reject Colombia Free Trade Deal
Human Rights Watch, April 7, 2008
Statement by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney On U.S. - Colombia Free Trade Agreement April 7, 2008
The US-Colombia Unfair Trade Agreement: Just say No!
MADRE, April 1, 2008
Voting Against the FTA is the right decision
Carlos Gaviria Díaz, Polo Democrático Alternativo, March 24, 2008
Statement on the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, March 12, 2008
Religious Organizations Oppose U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Interfaith Working Group on Trade and Investment, March 7, 2008
Letter to the House of Representatives on the Rule Change Teamsters, April 10, 2008
NDN President Rosenberg Challenges Bush's Strategy on U.S.-Colombia FTA NDN, April 8, 2008
USW Calls on Congress to Reject Colombia FTA
United Steelworkers, April 07, 2008
Teamsters Will Strongly Oppose Colombia Trade Agreement: Hoffa Says Bush Again Turns His Back On Workers Teamsters, April 07, 2008
Letter to President Uribe denouncing recent violence against human rights defenders and labor unionists Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International USA, Refugees International, Lutheran World Relief, Washington Office on Latin America, Jesuit Conference, Latin America Working Group, Center for International Policy, U.S. Labor Education in the Americas Project, US Office on Colombia, Mercy Corps, Fellowship of Reconciliation, United Methodist Church: General Board of Church and Society, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights, Center for Justice and International Law, Center for Justice and International Law, Witness for Peace, Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Central Committee, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, Colombia Human Rights Committee, Church of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, March 26, 2008
Letter to Senate saying the AFL-CIO is "unalterably opposed" to the Colombia Free Trade Agreement AFL-CIO, November 7, 2007
Letter to House saying the AFL-CIO is "unalterably opposed" to the Colombia Free Trade Agreement AFL-CIO, November 7, 2007
Oppose Expansion of NAFTA/CAFTA
National Latino Congreso, October 6, 2007
The United States Needs a New Pro-Environment Trade Policy
Amazon Watch, American Lands Alliance, ForestEthics, Greenpeace USA, Rainforest Action Network, October 5, 2007
Afro-Descendants in Peru and Colombia Oppose the Free Trade Agreements with the United States November 7, 2006; Cover Letter AFRODES-USA, AFSC, WOLA, United Church of Christ, Global Rights, TransAfrica Forum, November 13, 2006
News
Colombia Trade Pact Unlikely This Year
Journal of Commerce Online, September 30, 2009
US Debates Continue on FTAs with Colombia, South Korea
ICTSD, September 16, 2009
Obama Nominee Says U.S.-Colombia FTA Still Being Held Up Over Labor Violence Daily Report for Executives, September 10, 2009
Protest Against Colombian Hearts Starting Soon
Washington City Paper, September 8, 2009
Human Rights Groups Protest Colombia Exhibit at Union Station
WJLA, September 8, 2009
U.S. Lawmakers See Movement on FTAs with Colombia, Panama
Daily Report for Executive, August 24, 2009
Colombia Lobbies Without Sucess for Stalled Trade Pact
CQ Today, August 19, 2009
US Commerce Secy: May Add New Labour Measures to Colombia Trade Deal Dow Jones, August 10, 2009
Free trade pacts prospects 'not good': top US lawmaker
AFP, June 26, 2009
Update - Massacre 'imminent': Indigenous uprising continues in Colombia
The Dominion, October 15, 2008
Andean Region Must Integrate to Face World Crisis, Leaders Say
Bloomberg.net, October 14, 2008
Obama Opposes Vote on Colombia FTA
The Miami Herald, October 8, 2008
Witness Ties Colombian General To Paramilitaries
Washington Post Foreign Service, September 17, 2008
Bush to "sprint to finish" on trade deals: Schwab
Reuters, September 4, 2008
Outlook Gloomy for Colombia Trade Deal
Roll Call, July 30, 2008
GOP Colombia demands prompt delay for Baucus bill
The Hill, July 25, 2008
Bush Makes Renewed Push for Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Voice of America, July 22, 2008
For many in Colombia, hostage nightmare goes on
LA Times, July 15, 2008
Colombia Trade Deal Is Threatened
New York Times, July 13, 2008
Constitutional Court to rule on US trade pact
Colombia Reports, July 10, 2008
McCain visits a skeptical Latin America
Christian Science Monitor, July 3, 2008
McCain urges Colombia trade deal
BBC News, July 2, 2008
McCain Heads to Colombia to Emphasize Trade, Security Link
Bloomberg, July 1, 2008
McCain Heads Today for Colombia, Where Advisor Has Long Had Ties
New York Times, July 1, 2008
McCain to visit Colombia next month
Associated Press, June 25, 2008
Courting the Black Caucus in Colombia
The Hill, June 24, 2008
Bush: Still chance for Colombia, South Korea pacts
Reuters, May 23, 2008
Bush lobbies Congress to pass free-trade deals
Associated Press, May 23, 2008
Democrat urges House vote on Korea, Colombia pacts
Reuters, May 22, 2008
Groups lobbying for stalled trade deals
Politico, May 21, 2008
Colombian Unions to Seek Investigation of Anti-Labor Activity
Bloomberg, May 14, 2008
Colombia extradites 14 paramilitary leaders to U.S.
LA Times, May 14, 2008
COLOMBIA: "Mark Him on the Ballot - The One Wearing Glasses"
IPS, May 8, 2008
Colombia Extradites Paramilitary Leader
Wall Street Journal, May 8, 2008
White House set to fire back at Dems over Colombia
The Hill, May 6, 2008
Plot to Kill Colombian Witness Exposed
Washington Post, April 26, 2008
Colombia's Congress is crippled by militia scandal
Associated Press, April 25, 2008
Pelosi ties Colombia deal to new growth bill
Reuters, April 23, 2008
Colombia's 'parapolitics' scandal casts shadow over president
The Guardian, April 23, 2008
Bush, NAFTA partners urge Colombia pact: Trio of leaders laud benefits of free trade deal
Washington Post, April 23, 2008
Sutton opposes Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Chronicle-Telegram, April 22, 2008
Union Killings Peril Trade Pact With Colombia
New York Times, April 14, 2008
House Votes to Delay Action on Colombia Trade Pact
CQ, April 10, 2008
Democrats Move to Stop the Clock on Colombia Deal
Wall Street Journal, April 9, 2008
Lobby for Colombia Trade Pact Casts a Wide Net
New York Times, April 8, 2008
Bush Sends Congress Colombia Trade Pact
Associated Press, April 7, 2008
US' Paulson urges OK on Colombia, Panama trade pacts
Reuters, April 7, 2008
Penn Out As Clinton Senior Strategist
Associated Press, April 7, 2008
Bush asks Congress act fast on Colombia trade deal
Reuters, March 31, 2008
White House says Colombia trade deal not stalled
The Hill, March 18, 2008
The Colombia trap: A trade deal with Colombia won't be beaten by moral outrage alone
Eyes on Trade, March 17, 2008
Pelosi Says Colombia Trade Accord Can't Pass Without Worker Aid
Bloomberg, March 13, 2008
Bush Signals Intent to Force Vote in Congress This Year on Colombian Trade Deal
New York Times, March 13, 2008
Bush to send Colombia pact to Congress soon: Schwab
Reuters, March 12, 2008
US-Colombia trade deal faces uncertainty
Financial Times, March 11, 2008
White House expected to squeeze Congress for quick vote on Colombia trade agreement The Hill, March 10, 2008
Dismissal of Colombian judge worries U.S. legislator
LA Times, March 2, 2008
Colombia trade deal dead this year, US unions say
Reuters, February 12, 2008
Labor leaders to visit Colombia as Bush presses for vote
Reuters, February 7, 2008
Bush lobbies for more free trade deals
AFP, January 29, 2008
Bush to Pitch Free Trade
Wall Street Journal, January 28, 2008
Rights need addressing before Colombia trade deal: US lawmakers
AFP, January 26, 2008
If I Could Show Congress the Real Colombia
Gerardo Cajamarca Alarcón, January 24, 2008
Rice to visit Colombia in push for trade pact
Reuters, January 22, 2008
NYT Column Supporting Free Trade Draws Sharp Criticism
Yonhap News Agency, January 21, 2008
Democrats not sold on Colombia trade pact
Miami Herald, January 19, 2008
Colombia trade fight could cripple U.S. fast track
Reuters, January 18, 2008
Bush, Congress set for clashes over China, trade
Reuters, January 18, 2008
Congress urged to act on Colombia pact
Reuters, January 17, 2008
Commerce chief presses for trade deals passage
Reuters, January 10, 2007
White House expected to offer Colombia FTA
The Hill, January 9, 2007
Bush plans relentless push for trade deals - aide
Reuters, January 9, 2008
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