Protest over US Free Trade

Hundreds of unionists and university students protested this Thursday outside the American Embassy to reject the Free Trade Agreement that Colombia signed with Washington.

“Through this protest we are trying to make the population more sensitive and make them understand that these agreements are not convenient for them”, Héctor Bermúdez, president of the Colombian workers’ confederation (Central Unitaria de Trabajadores) told AP.

The march grouped some 500 people who shouted anti-US slogans, burned three American flags and brandished signs with messages such as “the United States has plagued the Americas with hunger, misery, discontent and death”.

A huge paper mock up of the American flag, decorated not with stars but tiny white skulls, was opened out in front of the diplomatic headquarters.

“We are (protesting) for a way out that is different, democratic and has the integration of all the countries of Latin America”, added the union leader.

According to Bermúdez, “the agreement that president (Alvaro) Uribe has made with the United States with the free trade treaty means a step back for the country…and hands it over to the interests of big international capital”.

The embassy was protected by strict security measures by 300 anti-protest police and two tanks with water canons used to disperse the protests, although no violent incidents were recorded, said José Pérez, spokesman for the metropolitan police.

Amongst the protesters were also those who expressed discontent with the re-election of president Uribe. Additionally, some students were wearing small Iraqi flags to reject the war in that country, whilst others opposed plans to privatize water sources near the capital.