Otis expands on China's recent discussions to build a 250 mile railroad from Colombia’s Pacific coast to a new Atlantic port to facilitate importing coal.
He posits now that "the guerrillas have been weakened and Colombia is no longer in danger of becoming a failed state, the U.S. government has turned its attention elsewhere."
Plus, the U.S. Congress has refused to ratify a free trade agreement because of human rights violations and lessened support for trade agreements.
“This has been a huge slap in the face to the Colombian government,” said professor Arlene Tickner.
“Ultimately, the motivation for this (railroad) is political,” said Mauricio Cardenas, a former Colombian government minister. “It’s a symbol that Colombia does not depend exclusively on the United States.”