Implications of Signing the FTA between Colombia and the United States (Spanish)

At first sight, the Free Trade Agreement between Colombia and the United States of America seems nothing more than a classic commercial treaty involving a regional South American power and the largest economy in the world. In fact, the real extent of such an agreement goes far beyond economic interest for both countries. In an international context more and more unfriendly towards North American domination, Colombia remains a key political ally in this part of the world for the United States, and a strong support in its crusade against terrorism. On the other hand, the amount of money given by the United States remains vital to the financial and logistical cost of Colombia’s war against drug ‘cartels’ and paramilitary organizations. But if the Colombian government clearly can’t afford to lose such a support, it can’t either let this Free Trade Agreement cast doubts over Colombia’s involvement into the existing process of economic and political integration in South America