Colombia

AFGJ’s Delegation to Colombia

By James Jordan, National Co-Coordinator Alliance for Global Justice delegations center around making connections, gathering and disseminating important new information and, above all, training, inspiring and empowering delegates to return home and get active. We don’t do political tourism. We do go to pains to find partners who are involved in crucial struggles, but who…

TODAY July 11th – National Call In Day Against Free Trade Agreements

This alert was originally circulated by Citizen’s Trade Campaign. This could be it. The Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and other pending trade deals could come up for a vote any day now unless our legislators really hear some resistance. So please participate in a National Call-in Day, TODAY, Monday, July 11. Today, hundreds of…

Colombia, South Korea and Panama Free Trade Deals Move Forward!

According to an article in the Washington Post yesterday, the package of three free trade deals is moving forward. The president of the Chamber of Commerce is even “optimistic” about having the agreements in place by July 1st. Currently, the Republicans are causing some delay over the “Trade Adjustment Assistance Program” meant to assist the…

A Visit Inside Colombia’s Most Notorious Prison, La Tramacúa

By James Jordan, Alliance for Global Justice National Co-Coordinator I called Raquel Mogollón just minutes after she had come from a rare visit inside the pavilions of Colombia’s most notorious prison, the High Security Penitentiary of Valledupar, commonly known as La Tramacúa. Mogollón is the Chair of the Alliance for Global Justice (AFGJ) Colombia Committee…

Terrible Conditions Persist in Colombian Prison – Strike Continues

The terrible situation at La Tramacúa (the High Security Penitentiary of Valledupar, Colombia) continues. Thanks so much to AFGJ supporters who sent emails about this situation. Already, international pressure has had some effect. On Saturday, May 14th, the Regional Public Defender’s office visited the prison and verified the grave and unsanitary conditions.

Colombian Peasant Union Under Attack; White House Moves Forward on Colombian FTA

It is with deep concern that the Alliance for Global Justice reports the recent and arbitrary detention in Colombia of Jailer Gonzalez, President of the Association of Peasant Workers of Tolima (ASTRACATOL). ASTRACATOL is an affiliate of FENSUAGRO, the nation’s largest organization of peasant unions and associations. Gonzalez was detained by soldiers of the Colombian…

Act NOW to Stop US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement!

The White House announced on Wednesday, April 6th, that US and Colombian negotiators have reached agreement on all points regarding the pending Free Trade Agreement. With ample support from both parties in Congress, a vote is expected to come quickly. Outside Congress, the situation is the opposite: recent polls show over 60% opposition to new…