Bush Urges Congress to Pass Free Trade Agreement With Colombia

WASHINGTON – President Bush says if Congress fails to approve a free trade agreement with Colombia, it will embolden U.S. adversaries like Venezuela's Hugo Chavez.

In a speech to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's legislative conference, he also said such a stance would send a signal to Latin America that the U.S. cannot be trusted to stand by its allies.

Bush said his administration will work hard to get lawmakers to pass the agreement with Colombia, then push them to pass free trade pacts with Panama and South Korea as well.