WNU #1075: Colombians Protest FTA, Privatization

Weekly News Update on the Americas
Issue #1075, April 10, 2011

1. Colombia: Workers, Students Protest FTA, Privatization
2. Colombia: Rebels and Paras Provided Security for Chiquita
3. Mexico: US Admits to Mistakes in 32-Year “Drug War”
4. Haiti: Martelly Will Be “New Driver in Same Vehicle”
5. Cuba: US Loses Posada Case--Again
6. Links to alternative sources on: Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Haiti

ISSN#: 1084 922X. Weekly News Update on the Americas covers news from Latin America and the Caribbean, compiled and written from a progressive perspective. It has been published weekly by the Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater New York since 1990. For a subscription, write to weeklynewsupdate [at] gmail.com. It is archived at http://weeklynewsupdate.blogspot.com/

*1. Colombia: Workers, Students Protest FTA, Privatization
In Colombia’s largest demonstration since President Juan Manuel Santos took office last August, tens of thousands of unionists, students and teachers demonstrated throughout the country on Apr. 7 to protest a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US and proposed changes in the education system that they say will lead to privatization. The Unitary Workers Central (CUT), Colombia’s main labor federation, estimated turnout at 1.5 million. Demonstrations took place in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Bucaramanga, Santa Marta, Barranquilla and other cities.

The national day of action coincided with a visit by President Santos to Washington, DC, where he met with US president Barack Obama to push for the US Congress approve a trade accord that Colombia and the US signed in 2006, during the administration of George W. Bush (2001-2009). The FTA has never been approved by Congress, in part because of opposition from US unions and activists over Colombia’s record of human rights abuses and repression of unions. But Santos is looking for ratification now that the agreement has Obama’s support. “We’ve worked for five years seeking approval for this to go to Congress,” Santos said, “and today we received this green light.” [...]

Read the full Update:
http://weeklynewsupdate.blogspot.com/2011/04/wnu-1075-colombians-protest-fta.htm