US, Colombia could be nearing accord implementation

U.S. and Colombian leaders may announce this weekend that a free trade agreement between the two nations is ready for implementation.

Senior administration officials on Wednesday would not say whether President Obama will confirm that the requirements of a Labor Action Plan have been fulfilled by Colombia and a date has been chosen for the trade agreement to go into force. 

Talks are still under way to work quickly toward getting the U.S.-Colombia trade deal implemented as soon as possible, administration officials said during a conference call with reporters previewing the weekend trip with starts in Cartagena on Friday. 

Obama and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos will meet during the three-day summit, along with more than 30 heads of state, to discuss a wide range of issues, including the trade deal, officials said.  

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis are traveling with the president, a possible indication that an announcement is imminent. 

Still, Kirk and Solis have been closely involved with Colombian officials to ensure the nation is meeting the requirements set out in the action plan, which was announced a year ago as an avenue to address basic workers' rights, violence and impunity. 

Meanwhile, Colombia's government has been quickly passing legislation needed to implement the accord, including a measure as recently as Tuesday night that moves the nation closer to completing their implementation checklist. 

The trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea were passed by Congress in October. So far, the Korean deal is the only one that has gone into effect — on March 15.  

The U.S.-Colombia trade agreement has support from the business community but groups such as the AFL-CIO have urged U.S. officials to ensure that Colombia cracks down on union-related violence before moving forward. 

On his way to Colombia, Obama will stop in Tampa, Fla., a crucial battleground in November, to talk about increasing trade and economic ties with Latin America. 

Of all U.S. exports, 40 percent go to Latin America, the White House said.

The summit also will include a meeting between Obama and chief executives of U.S. companies looking to expand their business in the region. 

"We really see the Americas as a success story both in their own right and in terms of U.S. engagement," White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said Wednesday.