U.S. President Barack Obama met with visiting Colombian President Alvaro Uribe on Monday for talks on a bilateral free-trade agreement, the battle against narcotics trafficking, and other issues. Obama told reporters after the meeting that he was confident the two countries could eventually get a stalled free-trade agreement approved by Congress. “It is important that Colombia pursue a path of rule of law,” Obama said at a White House news conference with Uribe. Colombia is the biggest recipient of U.S. aid in the region, getting about $6 billion since 2000, mostly in military aid connected to the fight against the narcotics trade. Obama praised Uribe's performance on “security, on reducing the influence of the drug cartels, in improving the economic situation for his people, and stabilizing the country.” “He has performed with diligence and courage,” the U.S. president said.
