Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BOGOTA9785
2005-10-14 23:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:  

LABOR AND INDIGENOUS PROTESTS AGAINST FTA FIZZLE

Tags:  ETRD ECON PGOV CO FTA 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS BOGOTA 009785 

SIPDIS

DEPT PLS PASS USTR RVARGO AND BHARMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON PGOV CO FTA
SUBJECT: LABOR AND INDIGENOUS PROTESTS AGAINST FTA FIZZLE

REF: BOGOTA 9232

UNCLAS BOGOTA 009785

SIPDIS

DEPT PLS PASS USTR RVARGO AND BHARMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON PGOV CO FTA
SUBJECT: LABOR AND INDIGENOUS PROTESTS AGAINST FTA FIZZLE

REF: BOGOTA 9232


1. Summary. Public concerns over FTA negotiations were
highlighted as indigenous groups and the major labor unions
held anti-FTA protests around the country this week. While
most of the demonstrations were peaceful and smaller than
predicted, some protesters were injured and one protester
died from a heart attack when riot police broke up an illegal
road block. End Summary.

Volatile Indigenous Protests Occur Countrywide
-------------- -


2. Indigenous protesters from Antioquia, Caldas, Cauca,
Quindio, and other regions demonstrated against the Andean
FTA around the country from October 10-13. In Risaralda
Department, about 25,000 protestors tried to block a local
highway on October 11 but the police dispersed the crowd with
tear gas. According to Interior Minister Sabas Pretelt, a
60-year-old man died from a heart attack that occurred during
the turmoil. In another incident in Santa Rosa de Cabal,
Embera Indians armed with machetes and stones confronted
police. About 20 protesters were injured during that
confrontation.

National Day of Labor Protests Is Peaceful
--------------


3. Colombia,s leading labor unions (CTC, CUT, and CGT)
predicted they would mobilize an estimated 500,000 workers
for protest marches against the FTA and against the possible
reelection of President Uribe in Bogota and the other
departmental capitals on October 12. Turnout was much lower
than predicted in Bogota; the Colombian national police
estimated that approximately 4,000 protestors marched,
although all registered groups participated. About 8,000
protestors demonstrated in Medellin, according to local media
reports. Central Workers Union President Carlos Rodriguez
stated that CUT membership came out in force since the union
is overwhelmingly against the FTA due to fears that foreign
companies will take advantage of better trade subsidies to
gain advantage in the Colombian market.


4. Comment: As reported reftel, President Uribe has given
strong public support to finishing FTA negotiations in the
short term and has ordered his negotiating team to ensure a
deal is concluded before the upcoming Colombian election
season. This week,s protests were nationwide but protestors
came out in smaller numbers than demonstration organizers
forecasted and their anti-FTA grievances were vague at best.
In the end, the protests were a hiccup. End Comment.
WOOD