RE: “2 Years Later, U.S-Colombia Trade Deal Holds Bitter Lessons for Some.”

Dear Editor,

Please allow me to submit the following letter I have written in response to the May 14 story, “2 Years Later, U.S.-Colombia Trade Deal Holds Bitter Lessons for Some.”

Jim Wyss’ recent article entitled “2 Years Later, U.S.-Colombia Trade Deal Holds Bitter Lessons for Some” highlights some of the concerns that the free trade pact between the two nations is failing because of illegal corporate agreements that bypass the strongly upheld convictions of some trade unions. Mr. Wyss stated that “more than 200 illicit collective pacts have been signed every year since 2011” without prosecution. This lack of oversight has led to more than twenty murders, which resulted from clashes within Colombia between union and non-union parties. The connection with the United States as complicit in this injustice is exposed by the 13.7 percent increase in exportation benefits during 2013, while Colombia’s exports were down by 12.19 percent. Yet rather than simply condemning this manipulation, should we not confront these discoveries with proposed resolutions?

Sincerely,

Scott W. Downs, Research Associate at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs

In response to the Miami Herald article: “2 Years Later, U.S.-Colombia Trade Deal Holds Bitter Lessons for Some.”

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