U.S. seeks free trade agreement with Colombia to reward international security improvements

Source: L.A. Times


U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates threw support to ratifying a trade agreement with Colombia, a significant step for one of the U.S.'s biggest and most controversial allies in the region.
Though many human rights activists oppose the treaty, which was first signed during George W. Bush's administration, Obama has said the South American country has made many strides in its labor rights policies, and he now supports the administration.
The Department of Defense view the agreement as a way to reward the country for its success fighting against narco-trafficking and insurgent terrorism.
Hoping to influence other Latin American countries, like Mexico and Peru which have received military training from Colombia, the Defense Department want to use ratification of this trade agreement to push other countries to take a cue from Colombia's successes.
"Colombia's success against terrorists and narco-traffickers does offer a lot of opportunities for them to share their expertise," Gates said. "We certainly would like to see . . . other countries take advantage of Colombia's strengths."

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