The positions put forth by John McCain and Barack Obama reflect thesharply different approaches each would take in shaping future U.S.policy toward Latin America.
On March 1, 2008, the Colombian military eliminated a key leader ofthe Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in a raid on a camp inneighboring Ecuador. The incident occurred at a time when Congressmoved to delay indefinitely a vote on a free trade agreement withColumbia, a U.S. ally.
Pelosi and Reid opened this Congress pledging a new openness and a respect for the rights of the minority party. Fifteen months later, their actions tell a far different story. The Colombia Free Trade Agreement and Sen. Reid's breaking of his word on a public-lands bill are the most recent evidence that a bait-and-switch is at work here.
On April 10, the congressional leadership forced a vote that hasindefinitely delayed consideration of the U.S.-Colombia Free TradeAgreement. Defeat of this agreement would be a major psychologicalvictory for forces that the U.S. has battled for decades. Congressshould promptly approve the U.S.-Colombia FTA, which would increaseeconomic prosperity in both the U.S. and Colombia.