Colombian President seeks popular approval

“Human rights, YES” said the signs protesters carried outside the National Press Club, when the Colombian President Alvaro Uribe today visited Washington DC to deliver comments on the “Colombia, a success story” event hosted by the National Press Club, and to urge Congress to pass the Colombia-US free trade agreement bill.

Uribe, who was not elected by a majority of voters, wants to make Colombia more attractive to foreign investors. According to Uribe, new investments in the country will reduce the country’s long-lasting problems with guerilla insurgency and illegal drugs. “It’s very important with democratic values,” said Uribe.

According to Uribe, it is crucial for Colombia to solve the violence issues related to guerilla groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC). “We have many internal problems, we have to solve them with the help of United States and with help of other countries,” Uribe said.

Uribe admits having a close relationship with Russia, but assured that Colombia will remain friendly to Latin American countries as well as other democratic countries and refers to the United States as a “great ally.”