« Latam: Montevideo is tops | Main | Bolivia: Evo and Lula »
One of the top issues facing Latin America is whether Obama will block a free trade deal with Colombia, as he indicated he would during the presidential campaign. Today's Reuters story indicates that President Uribe may be getting good news, after all, from the new administration.
Ironically, President Bush just honored Uribe in Washington.
Is it a surprise that Obama could now support a trade deal with Colombia?
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451c64169e2010536d1e845970c
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Colombia: trade deal with Obama?:
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
Inside South America is written by Tyler Bridges. He's based in Caracas but travels widely around the continent.
Feel free to send a story suggestion. Read Tyler's stories at news.mcclatchy.com.
Not surprising at all, actually. What democratic candidate would support the TLC in the midst of such a polarizing election climate? Principal union reps would have hided his labor vote in such a period of economic calamity.
Obama has proven to be quite pragmatic in his foreign policy-- Latin America should not withstand. Now having carte blanche, his administration will still undoubtedly question the protections of human rights in the guaranteed trade markets, but the move would largely prove symbolic to solidifying current standards--thus drawing more permanent relationships with foreign investors to Colombia.
Bottom line, the move would be one of political solidarity, at a time when both sides would benefit from the endeavor. My hunch had been Obama chose wisely to postpone a definitive verdict until he reached the Oval Office.
Posted by: Blaine Sheldon | January 14, 2009 at 08:54 PM
Not a surprise. Obama is brilliant and a compromiser. Expect him to support the trade bill and ditch Plan Colombia, leaving Uribe's administration somewhat satisfied and somewhat discontent.
Posted by: Nick | January 15, 2009 at 12:25 PM
i just hope he know what he is doing columbia is one of our biggest importers even with there half democratic society
Posted by: Kadmeil | January 17, 2009 at 04:25 PM