Colombia, Ecuador, U.S.: Trying to Avoid a Political AFTA-math

Colombian Agriculture Minister Andrés Felipe Arias said Nov. 23 that he "cannot see Colombia without a Free Trade Agreement [with the United States] in 20 years." His announcement follows the Nov. 22 failure of free trade talks among Colombia, Ecuador and the United States. The Andean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) has become a political liability for all three countries — one which leaves negotiations sinking for the foreseeable future.