Neighborhly Relations

Within the new president’s agenda, international relations — particularly those with our neighbors in mind — call for special attention. Timing is crucial in knowing whether those relations that have been damaged by the war on terrorism and drug trafficking can be repaired and whether it is necessary to get other markets to fill the gaps left by the interventionist zeal of some and the doubts of those who consider themselves Colombia’s allies.

Last Monday, the newly elected president Juan Manuel Santos received messages from those — who from August 7 on — will be his colleagues. Of these, the one that should be noted is that of Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa’s call aimed at reaffirming the commitment to restore bilateral relations, interrupted by the attack on Ecuadorian territory by our country’s security forces, in which Raul Reyes, leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) died. It is a friendly gesture that commits Santos to try to overcome differences, even though there is an indictment against him in the neighboring country.

Also coming to light was the unsigned statement issued by Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulating the Colombian people and the new president, stating that the government of that country will be attentive “to the statements of the new government …but [also] to the facts that will shape the kind of relations.” And it concludes with the typical pledge to “contribute to internal peace in Colombia as a key factor to finding peace and integration in the region.” In other words, we should expect a new intervention in our internal affairs from President Chavez, while, in his country, he continues to protect the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN).

Otherwise, the messages express solidarity, recognizing our country’s progress in recent years, offering to strengthen friendship and ratify trade proposals that need to be considered by the new government. These are opportunities to search for alternatives in order to ensure the stability required to integrate Colombia into the globalized world. That is why it should be noted with satisfaction that the Canadian Parliament has approved the Free Trade Agreement with our country, smoothly culminating a process that began barely two years ago.

This attitude by the international community contrasts with the enigmatic and distant position of the government and Congress of the United States. Yesterday, the most influential newspaper on politics of that country, The Washington Post, lamented that Colombia is treated “more like an enemy than a friend” by the government’s Congressional Democrats. And while expressing its appreciation for the achievements of President Uribe in defense of freedom, it regrets that the Free Trade Agreement is being blocked in Congress and its attempt to minimize that country’s contribution in the fight on drugs. It is that attitude that now requires further strengthening of alliances such as those established within the European Union, China or Central America, that regard our country as a good partner and not as the threat, which according to the Washington Post, some Democratic leaders regard us.