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In a strong show of support for Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, President Bush on Tuesday said he spoke to his counterpart to assure him of U.S. support as Colombia is confronted by “provocative maneuvers by the regime in Venezuela.” Bush also used the situation to press Congress to approve a trade deal with Colombia. “President Uribe told me that one of the most important ways America can demonstrate its support for Colombia is by moving forward with a free trade agreement that we negotiated,” Bush said. “The free trade agreement will show the Colombian people that democracy and free enterprise lead to a better life. It will help President Uribe counter the radical vision of those who are seeking to undermine democracy and create divisions within our hemisphere.” An increasingly volatile situation is developing in the region after Colombia killed a leftist rebel in Ecuador. In response, Venezuela, which is led by longtime U.S. foe Hugo Chavez and is siding with Ecuador, closed its border to Colombia. In addition, all of the countries are moving troops to their borders. “I told the president that America fully supports Colombia’s democracy and that we firmly oppose any acts of aggression that could destabilize the region,” Bush said in a public statement from the White House. “I told him that America will continue to stand with Colombia as it confronts violence and terror and fights drug traffickers.” The president urged Congress to pass the trade deal, adding that it is a “matter of national security.” “If we fail to approve this agreement, we will let down our close ally, we will damage our credibility in the region, and we will embolden the demagogues in our hemisphere,” Bush added. |
