Open hands

I can’t let PM Harper’s visit to Colombia go by without commenting on this Globe and Mail article, which is typical of the generally uninformed media and political reaction.   When we lived there in the 1990s, we constantly were battling perceptions by Canadians with limited knowledge and the unfortunate tendency to stereotype an entire nation of 47 million people.   Colombia is much more than the drug trade or guerrilla instability.

Here’s what the Globe said:

NDP Leader Jack Layton called on Mr. Harper to bring any trade agreement to Parliament for its approval, insisting that the time was not right to sign with Colombia because of its unstable security environment, the murder of trade unionists and the government’s disregard for the rights of indigenous peoples.

Jack, let’s have some perspective.  The progress Colombia has made since President Uribe took office has been stellar.  That’s why his approval ratings have been in the 80s, only dipping recently to 66% according to the article.  Any Canadian politician would die for ratings over 40%.

Colombians supported Uribe’s strong and effective leadership enough to change their constitution and allow him an unprecedented second term in office.  Under Uribe, we have seen rightwing paramilitary insurgent groups disarm, and the tactics of the leftist guerrillas weaken.   Kidnappings and murders are down dramatically.  Major cities are safe, and travel between them by road is now possible.   Sounds like the perfect moment for opening borders to free trade with a nation like Canada who needs to do business with the world.

I was in Cartagena in September 2004 for the Inter-American Development Bank conference on microenterprise, heard President Uribe speak to the delegates, then open the floor to Q&A.  The manner he handled himself - with dignity and intelligence - amazed me; I’m impressed with what he has achieved despite his personal grief.  His story is compelling: he was the governor of Antioquia (the department where Medellín is the capital), and his father, who was also in politics, was murdered by the guerrillas.  That he would not remain bound by bitterness, but instead lead vigorously to bring a country out of chaos makes him one of my heroes.