Colombia postponed signing its newly-crafted free trade agreement with the U.S. last week, citing inconsistencies in the details of the English and Spanish versions of the pact. Colombian trade minister Jorge Humberto Botero stated that Colombia would not sign the agreement until the U.S. revised the mistakes in the agricultural and livestock breeding sections of the English version. The Colombians discovered discrepancies on market portions and tariffs, and if left uncorrected could undermine rice, sugar, labor, and industrial exports. Agricultural issues were particularly contentious for both sides, and held up negations for some time earlier this year.

The University of the Andes and Caritas Colombia, a Catholic relief service, released a report this week highlighting the plight of Colombia?s nearly three million people displaced by the violence perpetrated by Colombia?s armed actors. According to the report, ?more than 1.2 million hectares of land have been taken over by armed groups,? with the value of the land estimated at over $400 million. The inability to adequately farm and develop this land has led to enormous losses in agriculture revenues?as much as $2 billion per year. Additionally, more than one percentage point a year is shaved off of Colombia?s gross domestic product because of rampant unemployment and wage disparity among those displaced by violence. Should the violence subside, the government will face the larger problem of determining land ownership as Colombians attempt to return to their homes. Although 55 percent of displaced people say they owned land before fleeing the conflict, only three out of every ten of these people said they had valid deed or ownership documents. The immense nature of this problem is not lost on Eduardo Pizarro, president of the Colombian government?s Reparation and Reconciliation Commission, who observed that ?Colombia is going to have the greatest number of victims as the object of a reparations policy that has no precedent in the past.?

Click here for more news on Colombia, provided by ABColombia

Remembering the Victims and Rejoicing with the Peacemakers: Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia
This month, join thousands of churches and people of faith throughout the U.S. in responding to the calls from Colombia for an end to the violence. On Sunday, May 21, congregations across the country will stand in solidarity with Colombians, remembering the victims of Colombia's brutal conflict and praying for a peaceful future in Colombia. Then on Monday, May 22, take collective action to ask that U.S. policy promote peace and justice in Colombia rather than military involvement and violence. More complete information is available at www.peacein colombia.org, including resources for prayer, church bulletins, and sermon ideas for May 21. You will also find a list of talking points and advice on contacting your member of Congress on May 22.

About the US Office on Colombia

The U.S. Office on Colombia is an independent non- profit organization, not affiliated with any political party, that seeks to educate U.S. policymakers, the media and the U.S. public about the impact of U.S. policy on Colombia.